Our site has a comprehensive list of local golf courses and the office can book golf for you. An administration fee of £5 is applicable.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
(Tel: 01334 460860)
(200 metres from Cambo House, situated within the Estate)
The most stunning championship links golf course to be built in the UK in the 20th century. This magnificent course with dramatic sea views from most holes has effectively distilled the best knowledge and techniques developed over centuries in golf course design into a truly spectacular location. It has received an unprecedented series of rave reviews from the national and international golf world. A must for every serious golfer visiting the area.
Every golfer dreams of playing the Old Course, but there are also many other challenging links courses in Fife.
The St. Andrews Links Courses
(7 miles from Cambo)
Old Course
(Reservations 01334 466666)
Golf was first played here around 1400AD and the Old Course has hosted 26 Open Championships, returning once more in 2005. The Old Course is closed on Sundays. A ballot system is in use, with very few times available in September. A handicap certificate is required.
New Course
(Reservations 01334 466666)
A classical links course, located as it is in the shadow of its illustrious neighbour, the New Course can be thought of as St. Andrews’ best kept secret. Not so new – it was laid out in 1895!
A typical seaside links course, it offers many of the renowned features of the Old Course – rolling undulating fairways, hidden greens, thick gorse and testing winds. For those who want to play within 4 weeks the order of play is determined by arrival at the starter. Outside 4 weeks, write to the Reservations Department, St. Andrews Links Trust, St. Andrews KY16 9SF.
Jubilee Course
(Reservations 01334 466666)
First laid out in 1897, the course has evolved into a true challenge and is now of championship standard. A day ahead booking system operates – ‘phone on the day before you wish to play. There is no booking fee.
Eden Course
(Reservations 01334 466666)
A formidable but popular challenge. Day ahead booking system operates. ‘Phone on the day before you wish to play. There is no booking fee.
Strathtyrum Course
(Reservations 01334 466666)
With a less testing layout, the Strathtyrum provides a balance to the championship standard courses, but still provides quite a test for the most experienced golfer. (A good holiday course). ‘Phone on the day before you wish to play. There is no booking fee.
Crail
(2 courses only 4 miles from Cambo)
Balcomie Links
(Reservations 01333 450686)
Situated at Fifeness, the most easterly point of the East Neuk of Fife, this spectacular course has been offering a testing challenge to golfers of all abilities for over two centuries. A sporty holiday course, each hole having its own character and views of the sea from every tee.
Craighead Links
(Reservations 01333 450686)
This second links at Fifeness, one of Fife’s newest courses, is of championship standard with its wide sweeping fairways, large greens and plenty of hungry bunkers! No two consecutive holes face the same direction and with the constantly changing conditions there is enough variety of shots to test golfers of all abilities.
Elie Golf House Club
(15 miles) (Reservations 01333 330301)
Dating back to 1589, Elie is at times a typical seaside links course but it does hold a few surprises, including glimpses of seals from the 11th tee. Daily ballot July and August. No visitors on Sundays May to December. Strict dress code.
Progressing round the coast you come to two more links courses which are used as qualifiers for the Open.
Lundin Golf Club
(Reservations 01333 320202)
Lundin Links offering a mixture of true links conditions and parkland and a host of beautiful views can be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. No visitors on Saturday am or Sunday all day.
Leven Links
(Reservations 01333 428859/421390)
On the shores of the Firth of Forth , a true seaside links hosting many national and international events. Click here to visit website
Another links course, and Open qualifier, to the north of St. Andrews, is:
Scotscraig Golf Club
(Reservations 01385 552515)
Established in 1817, Scotscraig is a challenging long course with tight fairways and imaginative greens. A tasteful mix of links, heathland and parkland. Pre-booking preferred. No jeans.
There are many other golf courses in Fife, both links and parkland, and among them is another Open qualifying course of renown:
Ladybank Golf Club
(Reservations 01337 830814)
A heathland style course set amongst heather, pine trees and silver birch. Accuracy rather than length is important here. Advance booking recommended. No jeans.
Not in Fife, but within easy reach, are two other famous Open links courses.
Carnoustie
Championship Course
(Reservations 01241 853789)
The longest and most difficult on the tour and therefore best suited only to low handicap players. Must ‘phone in advance and have a handicap certificate. Restricted hours.
For the higher handicap player, try:
Burnside
(Reservations 01241 853789)
A rolling, heathery links that is just the right length yet tight and cast with the hollows and swells of a true links course.
Buddon
(Reservations 01241 853789)
Excellent improvements over recent years.
Carnoustie Links offers combination tickets on the above three courses.
Panmure Golf Club
(Reservations 01241 855120)
A real gem and one of Scotland’s best examples of a natural links layout. A nerve-testing adventurous course set amongst sandhills – its hazards belie the quiet nature of the opening holes. This tight links has been used as a qualifying course for the Open Championship, and features Ben Hogan’s favourite hole, the dog-leg 6th, which heralds the toughest stretch, around the turn. No visitors Saturday. Parties of 5 or more must contact in advance.
Muirfield
(Gullane, nr Edinburgh – Reservations 01620 842123)
Muirfield, established in 1744, has staged some outstanding Open Championships and will certainly feature in the top ten of any meaningful selection of the best golf courses in the world. Ten years older than the Royal and Ancient, Muirfield is exclusive and entirely excellent. Visitors Tuesday and Thursday only. Contact in advance and have handicap certificate.
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