Duke’s Course, St Andrews

A very worthwhile inland alternative to the mystical Old Course and the other classy links acts in and around the Home of Golf. The Dukes is the handiwork of five-time Open champion Peter Thomson who must be very proud of his creation, particularly now the course benefits from improved drainage and, as a result, can be played and enjoyed all year round. Like the Old Course, it’s likely you’ll be hitting every club in the bag. In fact the ‘old lady’ will probably seem like a stroll in the park compared to the deadly deamnding Duke’s – the uphill part-4 9th and 18th holes spring to mind as well as the testing 10th which kicks off the back nine in style. There are some cracking holes on the back nine too, starting with the demanding par-4 10th. It’s followed by a straightforward par-5 – straightforward, that is, apart from the stream running in front of the green. Then there’s a par-3 over a valley to an elevated green. The fascinating mix of holes continues all the way to the 18th. Here, you’ll find a gruelling uphill par-4 to a long, narrow green.

Click here to find out where St Andrews Duke's ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Golf Courses Scotland

This 1995 Peter Thomson design offers more of a heathland challenge than other St Andrews courses and it has recently undergone extensive change, with American Charles Liddy adding extra yards (the course now measures a scary 7512 yards, tees (five per hole) and bunkers. There are now 120 to contend with.

The course has a new finish, the final part of a plan to present the Dukes as a real contender for televised tour golf events.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4.5 out of 5 what a grand course 13 July 2011

  By pedrogolf

  just played the couse and it was great, well thought out holes and great views, def agree with most of the previous revivews-a buggy is a must and if your on your game you must play it off the whites or blacks to realy get the full effect of the course and its beauty. would i play it again? you bet.

• 4.5 out of 5 Don't miss a chance to play the Dukes 14 October 2009

  By Jonathan Crickmore

  I play a lot of golf around the world and can honestly say that you overlook the Dukes at your peril if you visit Scotland a miss the chance of a round here. Putting aside the drop dead gorgeous setting, the course itself is rarely busy and can allow you a relaxed round on what I would describe as an undiscovered masterpiece from the legendary Peter Thompson. Starting at the first, each hole delivers a vista that helps you to start the process of plotting your way down its length - what you see is literally what you get however, stray from the fairway and you will be offered challenges. Thoses challenges are broadly fair and in proportion to the level of your errors - the further into the rough you go the harsher your job to extracate yourself. Bunkers - you can't help but love the fairway bunkers on the Dukes, even if you are not a master in the sand as each is a miniture work of art. They are not so much sculptured from, as woven into the land surrounding the hazard itself.  The majority are surrounded by tussocks of rough grasses and heathers that force the sensible golfer to make sure he reaches the fairway rather than try to blast forward carelessly. When at last you reach the green you are treated to some fantastic surfaces that ripple and undulate giving you real cause for celebration should you manage to sink a 30 foot snake - they are challenging but, the qualifty of the greens equates to a feeling of having played & been fairly tested with your flatstick. Once your round is complete you can guarantee that the welcome you will get from the bar staff is second to none and the stories that you'll swap on the terrace overlooking the 18th will be some of the best remembered of your golfing life as the Dukes is a class act that takes some beating. Stay for the food too -as the chef is a master whose skills in the kitchen match those of Mr Thompson on the course. The sticky toffee pudding is one of the best I've ever tasted.

• Not yet rated Better than expected 08 October 2006

  By Anonymous

  Blew me away to be honest. Just been done up by an AMerican designer and a lot lot better than I expected. Away from main St A courses, but really good. Great nick too

• Not yet rated A bit of a slog. 01 September 2006

  By Anonymous

  All the holes seemed long and there were a lot of steep hills. Some nice tree lined holes but a lot of featureless ones as well. Clubhouse was a bit impersonal with no welcoming feel. Well appointed lockeroom and shower area.

• Not yet rated Great Course but... 26 May 2006

  By Anonymous

  A great course and facilities, quite different from the other major courses in the area but due to the current major changes to the course, greens & tees I wouldn't recommend playing it for quite some time yet. The course works were a lot more extensive than we were led to believe therefore check before booking.

• Not yet rated Golf Buggy Required!!!!!!! 25 September 2005

  By Anonymous

  Beautiful course set in the magical kingdom of golf. Our 4 ball played late sept on the day that the decision was made to prohibit golf buggies for safety reasons. However, this did not deter our enjoyment. It did however, make for four really tired guys at the end of the round. The distance between green and next tee soon adds up on an already lenghty course. Some spectacular scenery, fantastic holes, and a true test of your all round game. What more could you ask for? (A Buggy!!!)