Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie & Craighead Links, Crail, Scotland

One of the great pleasures of golf in Fife is playing the “little” courses that can be found up and down the coast, glorious golfing treasures that may lack a bit in length, but more than make up for it in charm. One of the best examples of this is found at the Crail Golfing Society on their very special Balcomie Links, one of the most joyful in Scotland. Here you find a veritable Pebble Beach in miniature, with scenery very reminiscent of the Monterey Peninsula, and the sea never out of sight. An immensely popular and busy course, popular among the locals, it has a real “holiday” spirit, with driveable par-4s over corners of the ocean, combined with dramatic par-3s, making it in our opinion the ultimate course for a fun, late afternoon or early evening round with friends. The beach is in play on the first 5 holes, and then again on #14 and #15, and though these are the best of Crail, other surprises await, especially the long and challenging par-3 13th, green perched high on the hill, and the finish with holes 16 through 18 in the quarry. The clubhouse sits proudly on top of a beautiful, rocky point high above the course, and the restaurant offers amazing views of the final 4 holes. For those interested in incredible value, Crail offers a new and challenging second course, the Craighead, and the day ticket to play both is one of the least expensive in Scotland. So many people blaze in to the St. Andrews area to play the Old Course, and miss out on really experiencing what Fife has to offer. Do yourself a favor, and schedule a round at Crail while visiting the Home of Golf!