What Makes the Castle Course Unique
The course runs along a mile of rugged coastline east of town, with long looks back to the skyline of St Andrews and across to Carnoustie. From high tees and raised fairways, you can watch the tide pull at the rocks, then hit into greens draped over the clifftops. It feels different from the Links courses beside West Sands because it is higher, wilder, and shaped by elevation as much as by firm, sandy turf.
The design is modern on purpose. Fairways move with the land. Bunkers sit to force choices, not to punish at random. Several greens have strong internal contours, so approach play and short-game imagination matter. Golf Monthly’s recent review calls it a “clifftop adventure” with some of the best views in Fife, and that captures the blend: scenic and strategic, with wind always in the conversation.
Views over St Andrews Bay
Stand on the back nine and you understand why people book it even when they could chase an Old Course ballot. The coastline frames shots, the town sits in the distance, and evening light can be spectacular. On a still day the course feels generous. When the breeze comes in off the North Sea, it shows its teeth.
Booking a Tee Time at the Castle Course
You book the Castle Course directly with St Andrews Links. Create an account and choose your date on the official booking portal; you don’t need to enter a ballot like the Old Course. If you can’t see the time you want, call reservations, as additional slots sometimes appear late. The Castle Course closes for winter, then reopens in spring, so look at season dates before you plan.
Seasonality matters here. The Castle Course typically runs March to early November; St Andrews Links confirmed the 2025 season will run till the 2nd of November, with the 2026 season opening on the 1st of March. Early-season weeks often use fairway mats to protect the turf.
Prices move by month. Standard green fees are lower than the Old Course, and there are occasional shoulder-season offers or dining credits tied to Rock & Spindle in the clubhouse. Treat any promotional price as time-limited and always check the official channels before you book.
Is It Worth Playing the Castle Course?
Yes, if you enjoy strong visuals and modern links strategy. The Castle is not the Old Course. It is not trying to be. Where the Old is subtle and historic, the Castle is theatrical and windy. Many visitors rate it as a perfect bookend for a St Andrews trip: play the Old, New or Jubilee down on the sands, then go up to the cliffs for something completely different.
If you are new to links golf, choose sensible tees. The forward markers keep the carry demands realistic and let you enjoy the routing, not survive it. If you want help with lines and short-game reads, request a caddie through St Andrews Links in advance.
Course Layout, Difficulty & Highlights
From the first tee the course asks you to commit to a line and flight. Drives shape against bunkers placed to tempt the greedy line. Approaches often climb to raised targets where a miss on the wrong side brings steep run-offs. Greens are fast and rolling in summer, but they hold fair shots. On windy days, land the ball short and use the contours.
The out-and-back flow is broken by elevation changes that keep the pace lively. The par 3 9th plays into the breeze and needs a solid strike. The closing run hugs the clifftops and raises the pulse: stand on 17 and 18 with the bay below and you will not forget the view or the carry. Golf Monthly’s analysis underlines how wind and height amplify the test, which is why a calm morning can feel a full shot easier than a breezy afternoon.
Is it beginner friendly?
It is playable if you choose the right tees, but it is not a beginner’s course in winter squalls. Move forward, aim centre-green, and keep the ball on the short grass. If you are bringing a higher-handicap group, consider pairing the Castle with the Eden or Strathtyrum for variety across your trip.
Facilities and clubhouse
The Castle Course clubhouse sits above the bay with the Rock & Spindle restaurant for post-round food and a pint. It serves modern pub dishes and local seafood with panoramic windows across the water. Locker rooms and a well-stocked shop complete the set-up. If you want a range warm-up, use the St Andrews Links Driving Range near the main Links; the practice ground is a short drive from the Castle’s first tee.
Old Course vs Castle Course
They share the same town and the same breeze, but they don’t share much else. The Old Course is strategy by inches, with double greens and crossing lines that reward patience. The Castle Course is strategy by sightline, elevation and exposure, where tee selection and wind management decide your day. Many itineraries mix both in a long weekend and leave satisfied for very different reasons.
Where to Stay Near the Castle Course
Base yourself in St Andrews and you are ten minutes by car from the Castle clubhouse and within walking distance of the Old, New and Jubilee. Short Stay St Andrews manages self-catering flats and townhouses in the centre, which makes early tee times easy and keeps restaurants close for the evening. If you plan a mixed schedule, stay central and slot the Castle on a clear-skied day; move your Jubilee or Eden rounds to breezier slots when the wind hurts less.
FAQs About Playing the Castle Course
How do I book a tee time?
Use the St Andrews Links booking portal. Create an account and select your date. Unlike the Old Course, there is no 48-hour ballot. If you need help, phone reservations.
When is the Castle Course open?
It runs a spring-autumn season and closes over winter. For 2025-26, the Trust confirmed season will run till the 2nd of November, with the 2026 season opening on the 1st of March. Early March often uses fairway mats. Check current season dates before you travel.
What are the course specs?
Par 71, about 6,749 yards from the back tees. Designed by David McLay Kidd, opened in 2008.
Is there food on site?
Yes. The Rock & Spindle restaurant in the clubhouse overlooks the course and bay, serving local, casual dishes. It’s also a handy coffee stop for non-golfers joining you after the round.
Can I warm up nearby?
Yes. Use the St Andrews Links Driving Range by the main Links; it’s a short drive from the Castle Course. Arrive early if you want a proper bucket and a few putts before the first tee.
Plan your Trip
Book the Castle Course on a fair forecast, choose tees that fit your carry, and leave time for a table at Rock & Spindle. Pair it with the New or Jubilee during your stay, then sleep close to town so you can pivot with the weather. When the light drops over the bay on 18, you’ll know why “St Andrews Castle Course” searches keep climbing.
