The Duke's Course

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 £70–120 depending on season and time of day. The Duke's is a practical option for golfers based at The Old Course Hotel, or for those who want a St Andrews-adjacent round without the ballot complexity of the Old Course or the wait times of the Links Trust courses. Booking through the hotel is straightforward; access is open to all without handicap requirement.