Fairmont St. Andrews, Torrance & Kittocks Courses

One of the most exciting developments in Scotland in recent years has been the opening of the Fairmont St. Andrews resort, and especially their two incredible golf courses high above the sea, the Torrance and the Kittocks Courses. Incorporating completely new views of the Auld Grey Toon, including the famous St. Andrews Cathedral ruins, the Torrance Course (host venue for 2010 Open Championship final qualifying) is a “created links,” while the Kittocks Course (named after the landscape on which the course was built) is pure clifftop golf, with turf similar to Pebble Beach. Building on flat, sloping farmland, Mr. Torrance (in collaboration with the late, great Gene Sarazen) somehow, though the miracle of modern equipment, fashioned a links among the ancient stone property boundaries that looks totally natural, as if it has been there forever. From the 14th green, where an improper step backwards off the green could send you crashing down the cliffs, through the 18th, it is especially spectacular, with greens right on the edge, as high above the sea as any course on earth. Amazingly, it is not even the most difficult course at the Fairmont. This title belongs to the Kittocks, one of the most severe and spectacular courses we have ever seen. The views are astonishing, and so are the shot values. Carts are available on the Kittocks (and thank goodness!), making Fairmont St. Andrews one of the best day tickets in Scotland!