Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance Course)

Perched atop the cliffs overlooking St Andrews Bay, the Torrance Course transforms what was once flat farmland into a championship links layout that looks as though it's been there for a century. Designed by late golfing legend Gene Sarazen and Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, the course was completely reimagined in 2009 with eight new holes, new bunker work throughout, and a modern irrigation system—creating one of Scotland's most dramatic and testing layouts. The first nine holes play around and behind the striking five-star Fairmont hotel, offering a gentler introduction to the challenge ahead. But the magic happens on the back nine, where the course dramatically opens up as it sweeps down toward the coastline. From hole 14 onward, you're playing with the North Sea as your companion, navigating treacherous cliff-edge greens protected by deep revetted bunkers and natural hazards. The 16th—a par 4 perched on the very precipice with the beach 100 feet below—is a moment of golfing terror and beauty. The 17th, a demanding par 4, plays as a risk-reward dog-leg over a brush-filled gorge with rock walls. The 18th, a long par 5 climbing uphill toward the clubhouse, offers a thrilling finish with views back across the entire resort. Fast, undulating greens, strategic bunkering, and that relentless coastal drama make this a true test for golfers of all abilities.