Craigtoun Course, St Andrews (formerly The Duke's)

The Duke's Course sits on elevated ground above St Andrews at Craigtoun, managed by The Old Course Hotel and designed by Peter Thomson with Mike Wolveridge, opening in 1995. It is the only inland course directly associated with the St Andrews golfing complex — positioned on high ground two miles from the Links, with views down to the town, the bay, and the links themselves on clear days. Par 72, 7,271 yards from the back tees.

The terrain is different from anything on the Fife coast: heathland-parkland on the hills above the town, with tree-lined fairways, heather rough, and the elevation that creates a very different playing experience from the flat seaside links below. The course is demanding from the back tees — the yardage alone makes it so — but accessible from the forward tees at a length that rewards straightforward play. The views from the upper holes are among the best in St Andrews golf.

Green fee £155 (2026) for visitors, with reduced Fife and Scotland residency rates. Now the Craigtoun Course — St Andrews Links Trust took over the lease and renamed it in January 2026 (it was previously managed by the Old Course Hotel). It's a practical option for those who want a St Andrews-adjacent round without the ballot complexity of the Old Course, booked through St Andrews Links; access is open to all without a handicap requirement.