Crail Golfing Society

Golf has been played at Crail since 1786 and it's often cited as one of the oldest golf clubs anywhere. The place really started to look like today's Crail Golfing Society when Old Tom Morris laid out the first nine holes in 1895.

What does that mean for your trip? Two contrasting links courses on the same stretch of Fife coastline, with proper sea air, firm running turf and enough wind to keep you honest.

Balcomie Links is the classic out-and-back along the clifftops. It's tight in places, the greens are small, and the gorse is exactly where you don't want it. Craighead Links sits next door and, while it's the newer of the two (designed in the late 1990s and opened around 2000), it absolutely holds its own. It's a touch more forgiving from the tee but asks plenty of questions on the approach and around the greens.

Crail makes a cracking stop on a St Andrews tour. It's close enough for an easy day out, the welcome is refreshingly low-key and you get genuine links golf without the fanfare or price tag of some of the bigger neighbours. If you want variety, you can even double up and play both courses in a day.

Who is this for?
Anyone building a St Andrews itinerary who wants authentic links golf with a relaxed welcome and two courses to choose from.

Who is it best for?
Golfers who enjoy strategy in the wind and don't mind being nudged into the ground game. Great for societies and mixed-ability groups because Balcomie is the traditional test while Craighead is a little more forgiving off the tee.