St Andrews Links (Castle Course)

The Seventh Course on the Cliffs

The Castle Course at St Andrews Links opened in 2008 as the seventh course managed by St Andrews Links Trust. David McLay Kidd designed it on elevated ground at Kinkell Braes, replacing open farmland with a modern course overlooking the town and sea.

The routing is formed by two separate loops of nine. Each climbs away from the clubhouse towards higher ground before returning to the coast, where the final three holes of both nines deliver the strongest sense of exposure.

Unlike the flatter courses beside the Old Course, the layout is defined by changes in height, broad movement, and dramatic separation between holes. Sculpted mounds create individual playing corridors, while large, strongly contoured greens make the preferred angle of approach especially important.

Wind adds another layer. On this exposed ground, it can alter club selection and bring the slopes around the greens more sharply into play.

The par-three 17th provides the clearest expression of the design. Its shot crosses a ravine towards a green close to the cliff edge, demanding commitment while still offering room to use the surrounding contours.