Torrance and Kittocks Courses, Fairmont St Andrews
Kittocks Course, Fairmont St Andrews
Par 72, 7,191 yards
Website: www.fairmont.com/st-andrews-scotland/golf/fairmont-standrews-golf
The course: The Kittocks is part of the Fairmont golf complex at St Andrews Bay, just outside the town, and makes the most of its seaside location with several cliff-top holes.
After a sedate opening, the course springs into life on the tee of the 7th, a majestic par four which sweeps downhill to a green perched on clifftops above the North Sea. Players must negotiate the shore at the 10th, a dog-leg par four which can be in range from the tee for the very bravest, before facing a monstrously tough closing stretch.
The shore comes in to play again on the 16th and 17th before the golfer turns inland to face the 18th, an uphill par four to a green in a natural amphitheatre underneath the clubhouse.
Signature hole: The 17th runs along with cliffs to the right until, just short of the green, the coast takes a big bite out into the fairway requiring an all-or-nothing approach to a small putting surface.
What makes it special? The string of clifftop holes near the finish.
Torrance Course, Fairmont St Andrews
Par 72, 7,230 yards
The course: Like its sister Fairmont property, the Kittocks, the Torrance Course at St Andrews Bay is set on a spectacular cliff top location but it plays more like a true links than its neighbour.
Receptive aprons which allow for low-running approach shots and steep-sided pot bunkers are a common characteristic.
The par five 3rd, which requires a long drive and an approach over water, is the standout hole on the front nine while the back nine is noticeably longer and features several tough par fours. Notable among them is the 10th, which is threaded through rolling hillocks to a shallow green, and the 16th, which spills down towards the clifftops.
Signature hole: The 11th is the shortest hole on the course, backed by a stunning view overlooking St Andrews.
What makes it special? The designers have resisted the urge to fit in one or two eye-catching holes along the cliff-tops and instead focused on creating a challenging layout that will stand the test of time.