Fairmont St. Andrews

Fairmont St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scotland, KY16 8PN

01334837000 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website

16 reviews of Fairmont St. Andrews

Really enjoyable golf courses. Whilst they aren't "proper" links, they're nice to play and always in great condition. I much prefer the Torrance to the Kittocks but I'd happily play both of them on a break. I really like the short par-3 in front of the clubhouse on the Torrance, it isn't the most difficult in the world but I just like the way the hole looks. It is 10 minutes from St Andrews itself and they'll run you down in a shuttle bus if staying in the hotel. Take a walk round the town and see people carrying golf clubs and in their golf shoes, probably the only place in the world where this is normal behaviour!

Posted by The Barry Burn on 17/06/2014
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 4
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 4

For a resort course, this is a really good test. The Torrance Course here tends to get the attention, but there are loads of great holes on the Kittocks, especially the ones right out by the edge of the cliffs. Amazing views but expect to be battling the wind as there's little shelter. The conditioning was good, which is admirable given the amount of rain we've had in recent weeks, and there were a couple of really memorable stretches. I particularly enjoyed 15 and 16, which wind down to the cliff edge below the clubhouse, then 17, a bullet straight par-4 that's really difficult with the wind off the sea. Amazing value and top class service in the clubhouse. All in all, a winner for me.

Posted by Mark Drysdale on 10/07/2012
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

Having read the comments below it seems that the courses at Fairmont St Andrews are the perfect place for your first links golf experience. Both the Torrance and the Kittocks were outstanding golf courses which require imagination rather than just a one dimensional approach like many inland courses do. Bump and runs, punch shots, fades and draws are all called for and if you can hit all the shots you will love these courses. Unfortunately I am not the most talented golfer but I still had to hit shots I have never even thought of before. This is what golf is all about! We also stayed in the Fairmont Hotel which is a true five star experience from start to finish. As soon as you walk through the doors you feel like you have entered a different world and you are treated like royalty everywhere you go. Thoroughly recommended.

Posted by Justin Barr on 19/07/2011
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

We played the Torrance Course as part of a St Andrews Tour last week. Although we were fortunate to play some excellent courses during our tour (including the Old and Kingsbarns) it was the Torrance which was the biggest surprise of the trip. I was totally blown away by the views, the condition of the course and the layout. I can't really say it's a hidden gem given that it is a European Seniors Tour venue but we certainly weren't aware of it before travelling. The greens were the best I've putted on in a long time and simply could not fault the course. The clubhouse is also very noteworthy with a great balcony overlooking the bay at St Andrews. A great place to have a drink after golf. Well recommended as part of a golf break to St Andrews.

Posted by Roger Evans on 04/07/2011
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

My first experience of links golf has been an unforgettable one! Everything about the two courses I played (Torrance slightly edges it!) was amazing. The condition was awesome and the layout, while a little alien to a links first timer, was so enjoyable, forcing me to hit shots I usually never have to consider. I think that’s the best part of playing golf! The hotel was on par with any 5 star hotels I have stayed at before and the short trip into St Andrews is totally worth it. I will definitely be going back as soon as possible...top notch!

Posted by Ryan Haines on 24/03/2011
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 3
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 3

Myself and others from my club travelled up to St Andrews in October for a golf break at the lovely five star Fairmont hotel. We played both courses and have to say despite the cold weather it was a fantastic experience. They are fairly similar courses in design but we all agreed that the Torrance was our favourite despite its difficulty. The greens were fast and the rough quite penal for any offline shots. The views are superb across St Andrews and its location perfect, just 10 minutes away from the lovely town of St Andrews. The facilities in the hotel / clubhouse are great and are in line with a five star hotel. We would recommend it for any travelling golfers and thought the whole break was excellent value.

Posted by Sarah Ines on 19/01/2011
5
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Overall Rating 5
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      Played the both the Torrance & Devlin Course this weekend on two breezy days, which was not too disastrous for my first experience of Links Golf. The Torrance Course was ‘easier’ than the Devlin. The Greens were in excellent condition and were fast, the fastest I have played on for some time. The Devlin Greens were larger, more undulating and much harder. The Devlin also has more water features than the Torrance. It was extremely hard to hit the Greens and stay on them and also easy to pitch on and see them roll off, great fun !!!! As with all Courses, some holes needed local knowledge and one would play the Course’s differently when playing again. Both Courses meander there way around the Coastal edges & cliff tops with some great views. The Devlin Course itself is quite undulating with some minor walks between some Greens & ‘T’s. Both Course’s were well manicured and well defined. The Devlin Course had denser rough than the Torrance and a few more balls were lost on the Devlin. The Bunker positions were in the optimum positions on and off the Fairways and around the Greens. The Clubhouse is quite impressive with a good Pro Shop albeit both a bit pricey. The view from the Clubhouse over the Course’s and St. Andrews in the distance is excellent. We stayed at the Fairmont Hotel (about 350 Yards from the Clubhouse, the Front 9 on the Torrance Course plays around the Hotel) on the Saturday night and got the Hotel Courtesy Bus directly into St.Andrews. The Driver recommended where to eat (Ziggys, Mexican was good food and reasonably priced) and where to go to watch the Rugby World Cup Final. Apart from the result and we had a great night out in St. Andrews …… plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from. The Courtesy Bus picked us back up from the Pub where we were and dropped us off back @ the Hotel. The Hotel is a bit pricey, but it has a superb layout and is excellent inside. We could not fault the rooms and it is also ‘dog friendly’ i.e. plenty of people with dogs in and around the Hotel. ALL the staff were all very friendly, helpful and courteous in both the Hotel and Clubhouse.

      Posted by Pete Boyce on 24/10/2007
      5
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      Overall Rating 5
      • Overall Ratings
      • Clubhouse 5
      • Course challenge 5
      • Value for money 4
      • Clubhouse 5
      • Course challenge 5
      • Value for money 4

      Intro: I visited Scotland together with my father in the middle of September this year (hcp 5 and 15). We stayed near Anstruther in a woderful cottage and played 9 out of ten days. Planning the trip I tried to find a interesting mixture of course typs for reasonable prices. I bought 5 bunkered coupons (2for1) which I highly recommend, if you want to play good courses for small money. Before this trip a had allready been to Fife once and to Scotland and ireland. All in all, the trip was just great and can not be compared to usual trips to Spain, Portugal or elsewhere, mainly because of: - the tradition of the courses and the different layouts - the value for money - the ease on the course, playing mostly two-balls in less then 4 hours - and even the weather... Main Part: The locals recommended to play the Devlin instead of the Torrance. So we got a teetime after 1 pm, earlier you can not use the coupons, on a windy but nice day. Greenfee: 95 GBP. The course was not busy at all. I played from the white tees, avoiding the the challange from the black ones. The first 6 holes are pretty straight foward, interesting but could be found anywhere in the world. Some of the others are pretty spectacular and challenging, especially No. 11 and 17. Tees, fairways and greens where in very good shape. The rough, which is pretty high in some places, needs another 1-2 years to mature. It is not really an easy walking course and therefore you have this ugly buggy paths beside each fairway. Sure, it is a challenging, modern and spectacular golf course but playing this modern style of courses an a typical links ground felt unfamiliar at first and later even unfair because you can often not play a bump and the greens felt much harder than on other courses. Resumee: The Devlin is a good choice, if you want to play a modern course with links characteristics and own some coupons. Otherwise, I would recommend to play the modern wonder some miles south which can not be compared to the Devlin in any aspect, to my mind. Overall: 6 out of 10 Balls Have Fun out there, and sorry for my poor English.

      Posted by Patrick Wassel on 06/10/2005
      4
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      Overall Rating 4
      • Overall Ratings
      • Clubhouse 5
      • Course challenge 4
      • Value for money 4
      • Clubhouse 5
      • Course challenge 4
      • Value for money 4

      Returned two months after playing the Devlin to play the Torrance. Weather conditions were a lot better this time, just blustery. Pro in the shop said choose your own tees (why dont more allow this?)so we played off the blues at the back which was a hefty 7k total yardage! The greens were in absolutely mint condition - PROPER links course grain and speed - wonderful. So many hole designs offered marvellous risk/reward challenges with bunkers placed strategically in abundance (sand could do with topping up as most bunkers that we were in had sand compacted). Stay on the fairways as even slightly stray shots are gobbled up by thick grass which just devours golf balls. It is a great course (better than the Devlin, in my opinion) and can be played half price with Bunkered two for one coupons (unlike the Devlin). The clubhouse service was first class. Its easy to see why there were so many large visiting parties being catered for. A must play in Fife.

      Posted by James Mccann on 14/05/2004

      Four of us played the Devlin course on a VERY blustery day for a special winter tee rate of £99 which was great value for money. They have spent a fortune on the layout and clubhouse (which is very modern). Although very young, the fairways, tees and greens were in fabulous condition for mid-March. Could not believe a new course would have no yardage markings, though. Will be back in the summer to try the Torrance course next door.

      Posted by James Mccann on 18/03/2004

      I had the pleasure of playing the 'Torrance' course recently. It was an absolute joy. You have to think your way round the course rather than blast your way round. The setting of the course and clubhouse is stunning. The condition of the course was excellent and the staff were cordial. I'll certainly be back.

      Posted by Scott Morton on 27/08/2003

      The Devlin Course:I had the privilege to play this course at its best on a beautiful calm summers day. Taking advantage of any tee policy, we chose the Championship course, which despite being over 7000 yds did not seem like a physical ordeal for our mixed handicap group. The fairways are wide and inviting and the rough only truly savage in places the most determined explorer would shy away from. Drives must still be positioned correctly however to combat some very protected pin positions particularly on the par fives. Fast but receptive greens means that well struck shots are rewarded without the bad bounces of many links courses. As a Scratch and well-traveled golfer I consider this course rates in my World top ten. A refreshing design change from the current trend where the Driver and attacking golf is discouraged.

      Posted by Robert Karlson on 18/08/2003

      I have been lucky enough to have played both Torrance and the Devlin courses. Both of which are stunning courses and a stiff challenge for high handicappers like myself. Although i have struggled round the courses on some occasions when the wind has been gusting and the rain has started to fall it has always been an enjoyable day. The fairways are well maintained and the greens are excellent. I would recommend either course a worthy alternative to any of the other better established courses in St.Andrews.

      Posted by Alex McCartney on 17/06/2003

      Played here in the summer and whilst the comments regarding poor signage, changing facilities etc are correct the clubhouse area is superb and if you speak nicely to the lady in the shop, you can egt access to the spa! I feel this course will soon be viewed as a modern links "classic". It really has everything that a golfer with an honest medium or low handicap could look for. All the greens were immaculate; holding a well struck iron and running true although they were treacherously fast. As with more courses nowadays there appears to be the option of playing from medal tees and it is well worth doing this but not for the faint hearted. Biggest let-down was the scrub-land just off the fairways that should be rough. A little grass seed would have sorted this out but no doubt that will be sorted out. In short it's well worth the visit, but advise you to negotiate over the price!

      Posted by Ian Balfour on 05/11/2002

      Played the Devlin Course on Tuesday Sept 24 2002. It was without question one of my most memorable day on a golf course. The weather was beautiful, the views were magnificent and the new Devlin Course is simply stunning. For a new course the fairways were amazingly good, the greens were excellent and the lay out of the 18 holes could not be bettered. There's not a boring hole among the 18 and some of them are a great challenge. The new Clubhouse , opened the previous week, is first class and offers a magnificent view all around the St Andrews Bay area and for many miles around. Service also first class and very friendly. Have played golf at the championship courses at Carnoustie, Gleneagles, St Andrews, The Belfry and many others abroad. None of these were a more enjoyable eperience than my first trip to the Devlin. Can't wait to get back!

      Posted by ken macleod on 25/09/2002

      Played here for the first time this week and a very good golf course is marred by very poor back up. When you arrive for the first time there is not one sign which mentions golf. After various false starts we asked at the door of the main hotel where the starters office was. We were directed ROUND THE BACK to an office which was being used as a starter. N.B. No changing rooms''. No doubt you will be told that when the clubhouse is ready this will be remmedied. As to the course there is only one ballwasher on the hole course and this is located at the FIRST TEE. Amazeingly in this day and age this course has been built without any comfort stations and the terrain is such that even Gents would struggle to find relief. On the course there is a few areas which would benefit from some invocations of the water hazard riles. Will not be rushing back as in the area there are a few competitors that are far superior.

      Posted by Jim Rooney on 12/06/2002

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