Our take

Not everything at St Andrews is links golf; the Dukes is Peter Thomson's heathland answer, and when the heather is in bloom it hoards golf balls.

Tell us who’s coming and how you like to play, and we’ll shape the right trip around you.

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How it plays

What you are actually facing

18holes
71par
7,512yards
225mof climb
8water hazards

The walk. Hilly — we would take a buggy. 225 metres of climb over eighteen holes.

The wind. The wind is usually south-westerly, averaging 15 km/h, gusting to 55. It is the club selection that catches people out, not the yardage.

The water. 8 hazards in play. Bring a few more balls than you think you need.

The design. Peter Thomson (with Ross Perrett and Tim Liddy).

The holes that will cost you. The 11th, the 6th and the 1st. The 6th is the one you will be talking about afterwards.

Hole by hole — how we would play it
1
514 yards — plays like 524, uphill
three-shot hole — position over power
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
2
443 yards — plays like 453, uphill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
3
164 yards — plays like 154, downhill
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
4
429 yards — plays like 416, downhill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Downwind — take less
5
370 yards — plays like 376, uphill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
6
588 yards — plays like 568, downhill
three-shot hole — position over power
Downwind — take less
7
472 yards — plays like 446, downhill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Downwind — take less
8
196 yards — plays like 205, uphill
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
9
417 yards — plays like 427, uphill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Crosswind — allow for drift
10
451 yards — flat
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
11
631 yards — plays like 618, downhill
three-shot hole — position over power
Crosswind — allow for drift
12
220 yards — flat
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Downwind — take less
13
387 yards — plays like 365, downhill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Downwind — take less
14
471 yards — plays like 449, downhill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Downwind — take less
15
442 yards — plays like 458, uphill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
16
229 yards — plays like 217, downhill
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
17
430 yards — plays like 425, flat
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Crosswind — allow for drift
18
394 yards — plays like 415, uphill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Crosswind — allow for drift

Terrain and prevailing-weather data, read hole by hole. It is our own assessment of how the course plays, not an official course or slope rating.

WHERE TO STAY

Places to stay while you play Dukes at St Andrews Golf Course

Base yourself near the course — every venue here includes Dukes at St Andrews Golf Course in your golf holiday.

This course4 places to stay

Tap a hotel to open it, or zoom in on the satellite view to see how close each one sits to the first tee.

Venue details checked by the Golf Planet Holidays specialist team · Updated May 2026

Frequently asked questions

Golf holidays in United Kingdom. The questions our golfers ask most.

Where should I play in the United Kingdom?

From challenging links to impressive parkland courses, the UK has it all. Tell us your dream golf holiday scenario.

It is easy to get around the United Kingdom?

Yes, getting around the UK for golf is very straightforward. Self-driving is the most popular choice — the motorway network connects major cities and virtually all golf courses have excellent road access. For Scotland, flights from London to Edinburgh or Glasgow take around 90 minutes, or take the scenic East Coast Main Line overnight. In England, most golf regions — Surrey heathland, Kent links, Yorkshire moorland — are within 2-3 hours of London. We include all transfers in our UK packages and can advise on the best travel approach for your group.

Is the United Kingdom good for groups?

Yes. There are plenty of great options if you are going away with your golfing friends.

What about if I am looking for somewhere special in the United Kingdom?

We offer superb hotels all around the United Kingdom, ideal if you wish to combine high levels of comfort with great golf courses.

Are flights included?

Our golf holidays are arranged ground-only — hotel, golf and transfers. You can add flights through us, and those flights are ATOL protected as part of your booking.

How do golf holidays with Golf Planet Holidays work?

Every trip is hand-built. Tell us your group, dates and the destinations you fancy, and we build a personal itinerary — hotel, golf and transfers — around them. There are no fixed packages to squeeze into; we shape the whole break to suit how your group likes to play.

Still have a question? Ask our golf travel team A free quote, no obligation, and no call centre.

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