Fairmont St Andrews - Devlin , Fi...

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The Devlin offers the option of using buggies which on this lengthy and undulating headland terrain is quite welcome - but like any Scottish course, it is still better to walk. Buggies have to stay on their cart path and therefore, to my mind at least rather defeats their purpose.

The section of land given to designer Bruce Devlin is more varied than that of the Torrance. Water plays a roll at the 2nd and 3rd while Kittock’s Den, a deep, shadowy ravine leading down to the sea adds potency to the 6th (SI 1) and on the return, the 14th. The cliffside holes of 9, 11, and 12 are memorable; it is feasible to overshoot 11 and go out of bounds on the beach. The 9th and 11th share a double green and both holes are noted for their particularly effective bunkering.

It is on the Devlin greens you identify the main difference between the two courses – or to be more precise on the green approaches. Here on the Devlin you are forced to fly the ball onto the putting surface by dent of the numerous greenside bunkers and frequently raised putting surfaces. Add to this the extended length of many holes and demand is placed for strong drives and accurate, long, second shots. The par 5’s on the Devlin are all true 3-shotters while many of the Par 4’s are above 425 yards. Most outstanding as a playing hole is the 17th that doglegs right and swoops down to a cliffside green which looks closer to the edge than it is.

Playing either the Torrance or the Devlin one of the most striking aspects is the condition already achieved on both courses. The old understanding that it took a fair few seasons for a course to settle and sort out its drainage issues seems to have been circumvented. Each has reached a wonderful standard of playability in a very short space of time. (Reviewed June, 2005 ©David J. Whyte)

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18 holes, par 72

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