The Duke’s 18 hole course is set up as two loops of 9 holes. Five separate tee positions on each hole offers both flexibility in overall course length and difficulty to appeal to golfers of all abilities.
Hole - by - Hole
No. 1 – Highland
This demanding par 5 first hole with a wee opening plays uphill all the way to an elevated green guarded by a deep green-side bunker.
No. 1 – Highland
Par 5, Stroke: 10
From the tee, the fairway bunker on the left side of the fairway is the best line. It provides a great angle to lay up on the right side, which opens up the approach to the green. The approach is well protected by bunker complexes short right and greenside left.
No. 2 – Drumcarrow
Surrounded by trees, this narrow par 4 challenges golfers and demands an accurate drive up the left side of the hole to open up the green.
No. 2 – Drumcarrow
Par 4, Stroke: 6
A strong tee shot at the left fairway bunker is essential. Being in this position from the tee allows the ideal approach, with a direct line to the green. It allows for a low running shot or a higher approach shot to avoid the greenside bunker right.
No. 3 – Denhead
The signature hole and shortest on the course, Denhead has a meandering walkway to give a stadium feel.
No. 3 – Denhead
Par 3, Stroke: 18
Be aware of the crosswinds overhead; this green is well guarded with sand. Anything long or short will require a very delicate recovery. Proper club selection is vital on this visually intimidating par three.
No. 4 – Roundel
A well-placed tee shot between the fairway bunkers leaves a direct approach to this green.
No. 4 – Roundel
Par 4, Stroke: 14
A well-placed tee shot between the fairway bunkers leaves a direct approach to this green. Anything off centre brings the greenside trees into play. The sand bunker short left is to be avoided at all costs as recovery will demand a long, blind explosion to reach the green.
No. 5 – Beeches
Bunkers left and right of this dogleg could catch golfers out, but a 200-yard tee shot sets you up for a birdie.
No. 5 – Beeches
Par 4, Stroke: 12
The illusion of a narrow fairway is a strong feature of this terrific par 4. There is plenty of landing area to the right side of the left fairway bunker, leaving a relatively short approach into the green. The green itself is far deeper than it would first seem and is well protected by sand.
No. 6 – Badgers
Another demanding par 5, this tree-lined tee shot has bunkers right and left to catch any wayward shots and culminates with a green surrounded by bunkers left and right as well.
No. 6 – Badgers
Par 5, Stroke: 4
The views to the west and north can be distracting. From these elevated tees a well-placed downhill tee shot must be right of centre on this right to left sloping fairway. Bunkers heavily guard both the second half of this fairway and green. The three-shot option on this hole is the wise plan to set up a birdie attempt.
No. 7 – Denbrae
An awesome, elevated tee shot with a sweeping left-to-right-shaped hole, Denbrae has a great view of Auld grey Toon, a historic building, on the horizon.
No. 7 - Denbrae
Par 4, Stroke: 8
A fantastic par 4 with spectacular views, this hole’s elevated tees allow you to see the complete hole. An aggressive line just to the left of the large, double-sided fairway bunker on the right puts you into the perfect position to approach the green. A low run-up approach often rewards you by helping get the ball to the hole.
No. 8 – Fair Dunt
“Fair Dunt” can be an understatement with this uphill par 3, which can frustrate with prevailing winds.
No. 8 - Fair Dunt
Par 3, Stroke: 16
This aptly named, testing uphill par 3 requires a strong stoke. The best advice here is to take at least one club more than the yardage. Leaving yourself an uphill putt is vitally important, as anything long or to the sides leaves you with a very delicate shot.
No. 9 – Craigtoun
With a challenging second shot, this hole can quickly catch the golfer out, thanks to the long and narrow green with a left-side bunker.
No. 9 - Craigtoun
Par 4, Stroke: 2
The right side of centre should be favoured from the tee, as the fairway slopes to the left, allowing you a flat lie to face your approach to this well-guarded and elevated green. Accurate approaches are vitally important, as severe side swales will leave a very tricky recovery to the narrow green.
No. 10 – Burn Brig
With a severe dogleg right to left, Burn Brig challenges even the best golfers. Short and straight will find you in a bunker, while too long means the ball will be swallowed up by the rumbling burn.
No. 10 - Burn Brig
Par 4, Stroke: 5
A conservative-length tee shot with a line to the left edge on the distant bunker from the tee is perfect on this sharp dogleg left par 4. Aggressive long tee shots will end up dangerously close to a burn that is not visible from the tee, while the fairway slopes toward the water hazard. Approach this elevated green from the right to avoid a deep greenside bunker left.
No. 11 – Winthank
The longest hole on the golf course, with hazards to the left and right, Winthank requires an accurate tee shot.
No. 11 - Winthank
Par 5, Stroke: 1
This long par 5 is well bunkered on the left from the tee. Anything to the right of the first bunker complex will leave you a simple lay up short of the somewhat-hidden burn guarding the front of the green’s approach. The wise play short of the burn is rewarded with a short approach to this two-tiered green, which is protected by sand greenside left.
No. 12 – Double Dyke
Getting the distance right is key for this straightforward-looking par 3.
No. 12 - Double Dyke
Par 3, Stroke: 17
This uphill par 3 demands proper club selection to a slightly elevated green with a false front. The sand bunker’s short centre creates an illusion that the green is closer than it is.
No. 13 – Braw View
This elevated par 4 tee box offers big distractions, as on a clear day golfers can see all the way over the sea to Carnoustie.
No. 13 - Braw View
Par 4, Stroke: 11
Fantastic views to the north and of the town of St Andrews will take your mind off the accurate tee shot necessary to set up the best approach. Aim to the right of the left fairway bunker to land in the bottlenecked fairway. A low-running, downhill approach to an undulating front-to-back sloping green would be better served than attempting a higher, short iron approach.
No. 14 – Well
An elevated tee and wide fairway make this hole ideal for long drives, as additional distance off the tee is necessary to hit this undulating green with nightmarish hole positions.
No. 14 - Well
Par 4, Stroke: 13
This hole has more wonderful views to the north to distract you. Be alert with your yardage; it is crucial to select the correct club for your tee shot. Challenging the burn with an aggressive tactic off the tee may leave a shorter approach but brings the water hazard into play regardless of playing to the left or right side of the burn. The approach to this undulating front-to-back sloping green accepts low run-ups as well as higher shots.
No. 15 – Steading
This hole features a sweeping dogleg right to left with an elevated green, as well as deep bunkers.
No. 15 - Steading
Par 4, Stroke: 3
A long tee shot to the right side of the fairway is preferred, avoiding fairway sand bunkers along the left side. This will allow you to view the elevated green for your approach, which is heavily guarded by sand bunkers on all sides. An extra club selection on the approach is recommended.
No. 16 – Melville
The last of the par 3s, Melville is a cracker with its bunkers left and right and severe drop-off through the back – not to mention the prevailing wind that blows left to right.
No. 16 - Melville
Par 3, Stroke: 15
This testing par 3 normally plays crosswind, and an approach to the green from the left side is preferred, allowing an excellent opportunity to putt for birdie. Sand and deep swales guard this green against errant tee shots.
No. 17 – Strath
A picturesque gentle left-to-right par 4, this hole features two pairs of oak trees. It’s known to the members as “The Card Wrecker”!
No. 17 - Strath
Par 4, Stroke: 7
Be bold with the tee shot anywhere between the two large oak trees, and your approach will allow an aggressive line to the green. There are wetlands right and long grasses left to guard the landing areas. This green is long and narrow and demands accuracy from a low-running or higher approach.
No. 18 – Ice House
Challenging all the way, this uphill par 4 includes the valley of sin to the right, which means a misplaced second shot will leave you praying for a miracle up & down.
No. 18 - Ice House
Par 4, Stroke: 9
A challenging uphill par 4, Mount demands an accurate tee shot left of the fairway bunker on the right. The green is quite elevated and demands an extra club on the approach. Deep sand bunkers left and a sharp drop-off right guard it. Putts from the centre or right side will definitely break toward the north, while a view of St Andrews may take your mind away from the task at hand.