It has been designed using the principles of links golf with an infusion of new styles. The natural contours of the land and the dramatic coastal setting are combined with a unique blend of Rye grass, innovative green-keeping skills and the expertise of winning Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance.
Immediately the game begins by testing the golfer with challenging bunkers, undulating fairways and greens, and the occasional meandering stream making precision and club selection paramount. As the course advances it works its way around the imposing structure of the hotel before bursting open to reveal a cross section of the remaining twelve holes down towards the cliff edge and all the while framed by the powerful canvass of the St Andrews skyline.
The deceptive back nine creates uncertainty for the golfer with holes such as the tricky par 3, 15th with the green surrounded by a protective dry stone wall and steep sloping edges leading to deep, sunken bunkers.
Then its onto the par 4, signature 17th, out of bounds running parallel with the coastal trail down the entire right hand side of the hole, before sharply cutting across the front of the green, itself guarded by bunkers and with the prevailing wind, the approach is fraught with anticipation of the final score
