St Andrews Duke's Course

A top heathland course at the Home of Golf that offers excellent views over the famous old town

Neil Tappin
By Neil Tappin
published

The Duke's Course was designed by five times Open Champion Peter Thompson and is unique among the courses at St Andrews. The heathland layout plays a par 72 6749 yards so you're long game will need to be in good nick for a day out on the Duke's.

The course is a departure from the others at St Andrews with large American-style bunkers guarding the fairways and greens. The opening hole is a case in point. You'll greeted with an opening tee-shot that needs to evade a huge bunker that lies next to the fairway. The Duke's is set up on hills overlooking the famous town, so it is an undulating track. A buggy is good idea as the walks between tees and greens are quite lengthy.

The very well-equiped clubhouse looks out over the course and town where you'll be able to enjoy a tastey club sandwich as you watch others take on the course. Lap up the breath-taking views and get stuck in to a cold beer would be our advice.

Best Hole: The par three third is a beautiful 140 yarder that comes as a welcome break from the more frequent long holes.

Location: St Andrews, Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

Tel: 01334 474371

Web: www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk

Click here for our guide to Fife

Neil Tappin
Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 


Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

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