Scotland 2009 - Photos - St. Andrews Castle Course - Back Nine

This is a set of photos taken during the 2009 trip to Scotland.

Comments are sparse. Someday I will add some additional comments. If you have any questions -- give me a shout.

Arrival Area - Clubhouse
The tenth tee is directly behind you as you stand on the 1st tee, where this photo was taken.


St. Andrews Castle Course - Back Nine

Distances are from the Yellow Tee markers; "Regular" tees and (Red) "Forward" Tees


10th Tee - 154 Yards (130 Yards), Par 3
Back Tee - 167 Yards

Yellow and Red Tees
Staying right is not a bad idea. Hit there - and, take a bogie-four or, better yet: A one-putt three.

10th - Green Area


11th Tee - 385 Yards (289 Yards), Par 4

Front Tee

11th - Second Shot
From 140 Yards - Uphill - Stay Left

11th - Green Area
Uphill is apparent, when you arrive here.


12th Tee - 415 Yards (340 Yards), Par 4
Many of us will play this as a par-5 or hope for a one-putt par 4.

Front Tee

12th - Second Shot
Play this as a par 5.... A nice lay-up is fine!

12th - Approach Area to the Green
Now, it is apparent why many of us will play this as a par 5.


13th Tee - 154 Yards (119 Yards), Par 3
We loved this hole. The yellow-tee player had a par-three; the red-tee player had a birdie two. Fun.

Front Tee

13th - Green Area


14th Back Tee - 400 Yards, Par 4
A caddie or "local knowledge" will be of benefit on this fabulous par-4: From any tee.

14th Tee - 376 Yards (312 Yards), Par 4
From this tee, the hole appears to go right-to-left. Wrong. Slightly left-to-right.
From the yellow tee a 3-wood may be sufficient. Do not go right!

Front Tee
Straight and long. If short, the red-tee player should just play this as a par-5.
The second shot, clearing the center-fairway mounds/gorse, makes this a very challenging par 4.

14th- Second Shot
From 145 Yards. Possibly, a 3-wood got you to here.
If you pushed your drive right -- you cannot see the green; if you find your ball!

14th - Green Area
Some players will LOVE this hole. Others, will curse it.
Any two-putt is appreciated.
This hole will evolve over the years to be one of the best par 4s we play when we visit Scotland.


15th Back Tee - 585 Yards, Par 5
You just finished the wonderful par-4 14th. Climb a short hill, now, to this terrific par-5.
If not the highest tee on The Castle Course -- it is close to being that.

15th Tee - 555 Yards (509 Yards), Par 5
The first of two long holes headed to the sea.
Be careful with your second/third shot on this hole. A burn awaits before the green.
Slightly right or slightly left off the tee is OK.

Front Tee
Right, if possible, from this tee. The second shot, again clearing the center-fairway mounds/gorse is, easier if you stay right.

15th - Second Shot
From 300 Yards. Be careful to not get greedy. The burn in front of the green comes into play.
Depending upon the wind....

15th - Third Shot
From 140 Yards. Now, the burn is REALLY in play. Depending upon the wind....

15th - Green Area
Uphill, after the burn. Multi-level. Large.
Be happy to reach this green; in three, four, five, or more. Enjoy. Don't worry about your score!


16th Back Tee - 406 Yards, Par 4

16th Tee - 390 Yards (346 Yards), Par 4
A wonderful driving hole. The hole plays longer than you might suspect - due to the slightly uphill green area.

Front Tee
No mystery to this hole. Just, long! Plan on three shots.

16th - Second Shot
From 160 Yards. Hit at least one more club than you think you should.
I doubt if many players are long (over the green) after this hole's second shot.
Depending upon the wind....

16th - Green Area
Uphill. Multi-level. Large. A three-putt is a strong possibility.
By now, hopefully, you are enjoying the round and not minding your score!


17th Back Tee - 184 Yards, Par 3
Enjoy this view - on your way to the Yellow or Red Tee.
A golf hole that will be memorable!
The tee shot requires a full carry over the "grand canyon".

The multiple tee locations are welcome and invite a lot of variety to the player.
A "bailout" area is provided to the left of the green; however, the bunkers come into play if you take that path.
A wonderful match-play hole!

17th Tee - 174 Yards (142 Yards), Par 3
I used the bailout area (left, on the line of the bunkers) the first time I played the hole.
The second time, the tee was forward (160 Yds) and I "went for" the green.
With one mulligan - Success. After two putts, I marked it as a 3 rather than as a 5. I was on vacation...

Front Tee
Terrific views. Challenging shot. Enjoy!

17th - Green Area From the Bailout Area
Even from the bunker, not a bad place to be - to approach the green. Thank you, course-designer!
The undulating green is not an easy two-putt. Bogie is fine on this hole; even a double bogie will often win in match play.
This green is laid out perfectly. From the tee, the player must be very precise (difficult to be, on a windy day).
From the bailout area, the green is "longer" and offers a chance for all of us.

17th - Green


Take a Look Back
After you leave the 17th green, as you walk to the 18th tee, take a look back. A beautiful golf hole.

18th Back Tee - 555 Yards, Par 5
A long, sweeping hole. The line for the drive is to the left side of this picture.
The green is located to the right of the clubhouse.

Tee-shot View from the 18th Back Tee
A preferred line is just left of the lone tree - if I remember correctly (I play the Yellow).

18th Tee - 533 Yards (430 Yards), Par 5
From the Yellow and Red tees, the preferred line for the drive is quite clear.
Although it is difficult to see them (in this picture), the players in the right-center of this photo are probably in their third-shot area.

Front Tee
Thank you, again, for the multiple tee locations.

18th - Second Shot
From 330 Yards. No harm in laying up, here.

18th - Third Shot
(Not sure, but probably from about 140 Yards).

Back up the 18th
Before you chip or putt, take a look back up the long 18th. You made it to here! Congratulations.

18h - Green Area
Someday I get a better picture - but, until then, this is a view of the shared 18th and 9th greens.


Clubhouse - As Viewed from 18th and 9th Greens

I can highly recommend, after the round and beverage of your choice, the chef's Sticky Toffee Pudding!


If you have not been there yet, and you wish to - click on:

St. Andrews Links - Castle Course - Front Nine, April 2009

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