Which St Andrews Course to play alongside the old

[Jimaroid]

Just toss a coin between the New or Jubilee, they're equally good. I love the Jubilee and think (away from the Old) it's got some of the most memorable holes on all of the St Andrews links. The New is the more forgiving and the more playable course of the two though. The Jube is brutal if you're not hitting it straight or you catch it on a really windy day - there's simply more space to miss on the New. Both really good courses in their own right, it's impossible to choose between them in reality and you won't be disappointed with either.

The Castle course is beautiful to look at but it makes a long day if you're stuck between large groups of hacking foreigners.

 

[pbrown7582]

I would go for the New.....great course.

:thup:

 

[Andy]

Jubilee
New
Castle

Balgove is a good wee 9 holer with fantastic greens.

 

[PuttPuttSteve]

I played the New in June this year and it's a great course. I've not played the Jubilee, but the caddy suggested it can be a real challenge if it's breezy as it's next to the sea. The New is a bit more sheltered.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

That's quite an exaggeration isn't it? The Castle course has more contours both on and off the green, but I think it makes a more challenging and exciting golf course than the others. I suppose if you are player who struggles to get a lot of carry/height on the ball then it may not be the course for you. However every time I play it reasonably well I get a lot of enjoyment from doing so.

No it's not an exaggeration. If you are good enough to land the ball on an area a couple of square yards in size with a long iron then it's a good course but not even the best players in the world can do that. The shots into the greens rely too much on luck. I thought it was fun but there is no way I would play a medal round on it.

 

[mwm118]

No it's not an exaggeration. If you are good enough to land the ball on an area a couple of square yards in size with a long iron then it's a good course but not even the best players in the world can do that. The shots into the greens rely too much on luck. I thought it was fun but there is no way I would play a medal round on it.

I don't think any of the Castle course's greens have isolated tiers that are only a couple of feet square. Also most people have a slight roll on their irons accompanied by the yardage book and pin positions to the nearest yard (which are given to you) means its not impossible to land fairly closely to any of the pins. I admit there are a few tricky pins which may make it hard to get it on the correct level, but you should be able to hit most of the greens fairly easily since they are 30-40 yards long/wide, and the contours aren't ridiculous to make 2 putting unordinary.

I like the Castle course more than the others since it was far less flat throughout similar to many other good links around the country, and ones familiar to me like Prince's, Cinque Ports and St Georges.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I don't think any of the Castle course's greens have isolated tiers that are only a couple of feet square. Also most people have a slight roll on their irons accompanied by the yardage book and pin positions to the nearest yard (which are given to you) means its not impossible to land fairly closely to any of the pins. I admit there are a few tricky pins which may make it hard to get it on the correct level, but you should be able to hit most of the greens fairly easily since they are 30-40 yards long/wide, and the contours aren't ridiculous to make 2 putting unordinary.

I like the Castle course more than the others since it was far less flat throughout similar to many other good links around the country, and ones familiar to me like Prince's, Cinque Ports and St Georges.

I'm not talking about tiers that are a couple of yards square but the landing areas to hold the ball on the correct tier. I thought some of the greens were bordering on silly but if you can hold the ball on the correct tiers then I guess you are a better player than me.

 

[mwm118]

I agree that a few are like that but you can still hit the ball fairly close to the correct tier easily, sometimes allowing it to roll onto the correct one anyway. But with a par of 71 and a SSS of 74 off the white's it clearly not meant to the easiest of courses. I really liked the Castle since you really had to think about every shot, including the landing spot and where it would roll onto, unlike some courses about where you can pitch anywhere near the flag and it would stay there giving you a 'simple' put from all angles.

 

[Yer Maw]

The locals rate the New Course more highly than the Old Course, and it is normally easy to get on to.

From my experience of playing at the Links I think this is exaggerated more than reality. A sort of legendary myth whilst it is true 'some' locals do prefer the New.

 

[Foxholer]

No it's not an exaggeration. If you are good enough to land the ball on an area a couple of square yards in size with a long iron then it's a good course but not even the best players in the world can do that. The shots into the greens rely too much on luck. I thought it was fun but there is no way I would play a medal round on it.

Is it still that way (bad)?

I've certainly heard from (several) folk whose opinion I respect that it was particularly daft when it first opened, but that subsequent changes have moderated their 'stupid greens' opinion somewhat.

Maybe it's the one to go for just to find out?

Not played the Eden, but i'm a great fan of The New. Jubilee felt tougher, but not as 'nice' to play. I have no way of quantifying that feeling though!

 

[matt611]

Went for the New course in the end. If successful may try and add another course depending on the logistics of the trip or maybe something closer to Edinburgh. Thanks

 

[huds1475]

Went for the New course in the end. If successful may try and add another course depending on the logistics of the trip or maybe something closer to Edinburgh. Thanks

Have done the same.

Good luck with your application :thup:

 

[IanM]

Whilst I am happy to pay high green fees as this is a special trip, £240 seems a little on the high side.

I am chewing this over...got Old and New at start of the week...spoken to Kingsbarns about times...but it's lots of money, esp as going with the wife, so I am paying two green fees! Eek

 

[Albanach]

Each to their own but £480 for two people to play a round of golf is a crazy amount of money when you consider what local courses could be played for 1/5 of that.

 

[User62651]

Each to their own but £480 for two people to play a round of golf is a crazy amount of money when you consider what local courses could be played for 1/5 of that.

Played Kingsbarns twice and paid about £75/80 a few years ago now, is there not still deal if you are member of a UK golf club? Thought the £240 was just for the Japs and Yanks?

 

[stevek1969]

Played Kingsbarns twice and paid about £75/80 a few years ago now, is there not still deal if you are member of a UK golf club? Thought the £240 was just for the Japs and Yanks?

Its half price and thats for Scottish golf club members only so if your from south of the border then its top dollar .

 

[IanM]

Each to their own but £480 for two people to play a round of golf is a crazy amount of money when you consider what local courses could be played for 1/5 of that.

...you missed out the swear words!!!

I was asked to do a review of The Grove a couple of years back for a Customer Service Agency...wife and I told to turn up for breakfast, hire buggy, play the course and have lunch after..... charge the bill to the agency in return for writing the report.

My report said, super course, great good , great service.... but nearing £500 for the day? Come off it!!

Feeling the same about Kingsbarns although ben wanting to play it since it opened.... tempted as currently on a good day rate, but by no means comfortable with shelling out that sort of cash 6 months in advance... could be pouring down too!

 

[patricks148]

...you missed out the swear words!!!

I was asked to do a review of The Grove a couple of years back for a Customer Service Agency...wife and I told to turn up for breakfast, hire buggy, play the course and have lunch after..... charge the bill to the agency in return for writing the report.

My report said, super course, great good , great service.... but nearing £500 for the day? Come off it!!

Feeling the same about Kingsbarns although ben wanting to play it since it opened.... tempted as currently on a good day rate, but by no means comfortable with shelling out that sort of cash 6 months in advance... could be pouring down too!

I was the same saw Kingsbarns on TV (Dunhill) and was really looking forward to it. Was a little disappointed. Not as good as Castle Stuart. Jim had a deal and was pretty cheap compared to what they charge the rest of the time. Def would not pay full whack.

New and Jubilee can be played for much less. Even worth heading over to Angus and playing Monifieth which is a lovely course and always in great condition when Ive played there.

 

[IanM]

Crail here I come then

 

[bernix]

i'd go for the Jubilee. have played it 3 times and enjoyed it each time.
really enjoyed the Eden as well so that would be my 2nd choice. have played the New 3 times and - don't know why - never enjoyed it as much as the other St. Andrews courses. compared to the Old or Jubilee it is boring. Best memory is that i quitted smoking on the 18th tee