St Andrews, The Castle Course

[John_Findlay]

I was lucky enough to play the Castle Course at St Andrews today.

My first time there and wow, what views. I'll post a review in the proper section once I work out whether I enjoyed the whole course or not but here's a wee sample of what they have to offer from the footage I got;-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfk0SY_Cki4

The most undulating fast greens I've ever played on. Immaculate condition. Fun at first but a little wearing after the 4th three putt!! I think that was on the 5th hole.

Didn't score at all despite hitting the ball well. It's pretty hard to score well there.... but some peachy holes, particularly the signature hole, the 17th. 200 yard par 3 over a ravine. I took a 2 iron into the teeth of the wind and just made the first cut of rough at the front. One of only two pars today I'm afraid. Bogey City.

 

[Andy]

At least the weather held up John. Nice pics.

Andy

 

[madandra]

It looks impressive John. So you should have been practice putting on the bonnet of your car before your round?

 

[John_Findlay]

Thanks, Andy. They're a little deceptive. Sunny but breezy shall we say.

I'd love to play it on a calm day... but I don't think they get them there.

....and, yes, about the car...but only a VW Beetle would give you an accurate practice green.

 

[stevek1969]

Looks really good , do you get an SGU discount there John.

 

[John_Findlay]

I don't know about the discount, Steve. Two of the guys were members of the New Club in St Andrews and signed me on for £40. Its well worth that so I couldn't pass up the chance.

 

[StuartD]

John

Think we could be in for a bit of a wait for the review. I played it last year and STILL can't make up my mind whether I like it or not. I had seven three putts. The greens were brutal. You have to be very careful where you are landing the ball on the green with your approach. It will take a few rounds to get a feel of where to put the ball. I know a few local lads who like the course, gcd on here is one of them. Think it’s a nice change from all the links golf for them. TBH if I was going to St Andrews I would prefer the New or Jubilee but that’s probably because I don't get to play much links golf.

 

[bobmac]

Which one is you on the video John?

 

[IM01]

I played with a 2hcp today and said I was fancying playing here.He played it not long after it opened and said he "hit the ball well,but just broke 90" round there.Although a great layout the greens are too severe for the generally windy location.
His suggestion was go to Kingsbarns until they re-do the greens...would you agree?

 

[slugger]

If you're going to Kingsbarns because you think the greens will be more forgiving then think again!!! the greens are like putting on a polished wooden floor.

lovely course though.

Here's a pic from my recent trip to Kingsbarns of the 3rd hole

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petermacdonald/3484390386/sizes/o/

 

[John_Findlay]

I agree Stuart.

I certainly don't feel like I should slag off the course just because the greens are tough. There must be a knack to hitting to the right part to leave the easiest putt. They were immaculate. Fast and super true so no complaints there. But at some point we all putted off the green!

There are a couple of stretches of holes where the views are simply unbeatable. Quite distracting really!

Ivan, I was the same. I hit most fairways but the strong wind and the elevation changes made it hard to judge your approach shots and I was generally misjudging these. I only got up and down with the putter from off the green once. The other guys were the same. Big, big borrows and you needed a super-fine touch with the blade in your hands.

I scored just under 90 and that was without being in any trouble. By the 12th hole I had had 10 bogeys and 2 doubles without really having played a bad shot and I was worried I was going to have a par-free round. But parred the 13th, birdied the 16th and parred the 17th. The only scoring highlights of the day. Kingsbarns is certainly much easier.

And Bob, that's me in the white troos and the blue cap. I'm usually behind the camera for obvious reasons!

 

[mono217]

Looks great i'd love to come up there and play st andrews.

 

[stevek1969]

Looks great John as SGU members we get it for £50 each so is on the list for this year .The greens look scary tho, they did that with Kingsbarns at the start because the pros complained some holes were a gimmick so they changed them and for the better , absolutley love the place and the Castle Course looks just as good.