off the A917 (Crail Road),
St Andrews, Fife KY16 8PN
Office
+44 (0)1334 837 000Pro shop
+44 (0)1334 837 000Fax
+44 (0)1334 471 115Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Callum Nicoll (Head of Golf).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links-style. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb
Surroundings:
Coastal cliffs and rural countryside.
Designer:
Sam Torrance (with contributions from Gene Sarazen)
Above distances are for the Torrance course. Also at Fairmont St Andrews is the 18-hole Kittocks course (par-71; 7192 yds from back tees).
56.320580
-2.734302
3 miles east of St Andrews
From the centre of St Andrews take the A917 direction Crail. After 3 miles turn left into Fairmont St Andrews.
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance)
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance Course): Sam Torrance's task here at Fairmont St Andrews was to transform relatively featureless, gently rolling farmland into an authentic links golf course. Its clifftop location would ensure many wonderful views out across St Andrews Bay and west to the Auld Grey Toon. However, it was up to earthmovers, landscapers and horticulturalists to create the dunes, water features, knolls and valleys that would bring this well-designed and testing layout to fruition.
The dune-like earth mounds, low dry-stone walls, stylish pot bunkers, natural water ditches and firm, fast greens have combined well, although some of the mounding has yet to acquire the fescues (whispy grass) found on more mature golf links. Looping around the impressive Fairmont St Andrews hotel on the front-nine, you'll have the opportunity to hit onto reasonably generous fairways. But beware the meandering burn and good-sized pond that threaten on the opening holes.
On the undulating back-nine, the magnificent sea views are at their best and the layout eventually gets you to the cliff's edge at the par-3 17th. Often accompanied by a fresh sea breeze, you will find tighter fairways, with accompanying rough and water hazards that are definitely worth avoiding.
"Sam's Favourite", the cliff-edge long par-4 17th, has now been moved (with the original Torrance 16th) to form part of the neighbouring Kittocks course. But that hasn't diminished the golfing challenges on the Torrance's final stretch. The cliff-hugging, long and fearsomely bunkered par-3 17th and long par-5 18th present a formidable and scenic closing duo.
Stay&Play at Fairmont St Andrews: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Golf carts are not permitted on the Torrance course, but are available for use on the Kittocks course. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Excellent
Fairmont St Andrews was originally known as St Andrews Bay, the creation of Don & Nancy Panoz, founders of US-based Chateau Elan Hotels & Resorts. The resort was re-named after acquisition by the Fairmont group in 2005.
The Torrance was an Open Championship Qualifying course for the 2010 Open at St Andrews, and has also hosted the European Tour's Scottish Seniors Open (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Fairmont St Andrews). Immediately to the west of the Torrance Course is the St Andrews Links' Castle course.
Scotland's 69th best course (Golf World, 2023).
St Andrews, Fife KY16 8PN (off the A917, east of St Andrews)
+44 (0)1334 837 000
Visit websiteLocated close to the historic city of St Andrews, the Fairmont St Andrews overlooks the beautiful coastal landscape of Scotland's east coast. The resort is home to two renowned championship golf courses (the Kittocks and Torrance) as well as being one of Scotland’s largest and most luxurious hotel and conference facilities.
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance & Kittocks courses)
The Castle Course; St Andrews Links (x7 courses); St Andrews (Duke's); Kingsbarns
Crail (Balcomie and Craighead Links); Ladybank; Scotscraig; Lundin Links; Leven; Elie.
40 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AS
+44 (0)1334 472 611
Visit websiteFollowing a significant refurbishment and extension from 22 to 40 rooms, the Hotel du Vin St Andrews (formerly St Andrews Golf Hotel) now boasts a new and contemporary interior design inside this spacious Victorian townhouse. The views over St Andrews Bay and beaches are as spectacular as ever. In its quiet terrace location near the Promenade, this stylish, boutique hotel offers underground parking, external courtyard, whisky sampling room and wine cellar, as well as the famous student bar Ma Bells.
No
St Andrews Links (Old, New, Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum courses); St Andrews (Dukes course); The Castle Course; Fairmont St Andrews (Devlin and Torrance courses).
Kingsbarns; Crail (Balcomie and Craighead links); Ladybank; Scotscraig; Lundin; Leven; Elie.
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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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