91. The Castle Course, St Andrews Links – Top 100 UK and Ireland golf courses 2012

Architect: David McLay Kidd Stats: 6,759 yds, par 71, SSS 74 GF: £120 Visitor information: Open every day for visitors from early March until early November W: standrews.org.uk 2010 Ranking: 90 (Down 1) Improvements since 2010 Ranking: Course: The area to the right of the 2nd green surround has been raised which has lessened the penalty for missing the green on that side - an area to the right of the 3rd surround has been altered in a very similar way to that at the 2nd - the approach and rear of the 4th green have been extended which also involved moving the greenside bunker slightly further from the putting surface - the surround on the left of the 9th green has been raised in similar fashion and with the same result as the changes to the 2nd and 3rd - the 14th green and surround have been softened and the water feature at the front left corner of the green has been moved further away from the putting surface making it less penal - the surround on the left of the 16th green has been raised - an area of the 17th green was lowered to provide a flatter putting surface and more accessible pin placements. A number (5 or 6) of rough mounds have been removed or softened on various fairways. New main play tees have been added on holes 2, 14 and 18 which provide a different angle to the tee shot and allow a better view of each fairway. We continue to work on improving the drainage on the fairways.

Panellists' Comments: "A cliff top knee-trembler with the Auld Grey Toon as a backdrop - does golf get any better?" - "The views across the course over to the North sea and down into St Andrews are nothing short of breathtaking at times" - "A great site and lots of very fine golf holes with a strong finish" - "A challenging course that will demand superb short game play"

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