Despite being built when DMK designs were making courses that challenged par vs birdie, the Castle Course just might be the second best owned by the St Andrews Links trust.

I went around here after they had adjusted the greens and surrounds-but they are a far cry from golfer friendly. Compared to Bandon, Mammoth and Gamble Sands, this is definitely more difficult; however, it is similar to Tetherow (built by DMK during this same phase) and I found it to be challenging but still fun. Can't say that the greens are receptive by any means, but recovery can still be made. My #1 complaint would be that the majority of approach shots do not linksy as the ground repels shots from the greens vs feeding them on-an aerial game is rewarded much more than a ground game. Recoveries have the options but flop seems to get the best results vs putt or bump/run. The greens also have a lot of inner contour (some would say too much) which makes putting interesting and a two putt is a far cry from a given if on the wrong section. However, if you come here knowing those things or anticipating the worst, then there is still plenty of very good golf here. It is not without merits as it does play firm/fast. There are also driving zones with speed slots on favorable lines. It is strategic as risk/reward and advantages from sides of the fairway come into play. I think that scratch/low handicaps will enjoy this more as they have the skills to overcome the penal surrounds. Still, a mid to high can have a good day here as long as they are not obsessed with score or they figure out where the misses are around the greens which will offer easier recoveries-they do exist. Other good news is that you shouldn't lose many/any balls here as, if playing smart, you can keep it in play and avoid the few burns that are here.

Even St. Andrews sells the views of this course and if you are a golfer who plays for views, then you might like this more than I did. It certainly has some great looks back into town from over the sea. As for the course itself, there are two loops of nine that return to the clubhouse (all the easier to get a snack on the turn) vs being an out/back. It is a par 71 vs 72 as the front nine has two par 5s and two par 3s while the back has three par 3s and two par 5s. It is still plenty long at about 6800 yards; especially when you factor in the wind.

The front nine has a brutish start. There are tighter driving zones and greens with an abundance of contour. Still, the par 5 fourth hole is a very good one. It plays downhill and the left side has a speed slot. There is a water hazard about 75 yards short of the green which makes this a go for it or not hole for lower handicaps. It does present a lay up zone for mid to highs. The run from 6-9 is scenic but with some very good golf. This is a cliff top walk. The 6th hole is a blind tee shot. Finding the left side vs the right can be a two club difference for the approach. The green is cliff top and gives your first view of back into town. The 7th is a long par 4 but the approach is one of the friendlier ones-you can chase one on here and seemed designed for that on this hole vs the aerial attack on others. Speaking of which, choose your tees wisely on the 8th. If coming in from the left (the gold tee) then you can chase one on. The white/back tee leaves you no choice but to fly one on-most likely over a bunker. The 9th green is a double green shared with the 18th. One of the few old world touches here.