Ladybank Golf Club

Ladybank often gets overlooked in the shadow of Fife's headline-grabbing links, which is mad when you look at the pedigree. This is a top-quality heathland course and the R&A has used it for Open Championship qualifying since 1978, so it's not just a "nice extra" for your trip.

You're around 15 miles from St Andrews and roughly 18 miles from Dundee, so it slots in neatly if you're touring the Old Course area and heading towards Carnoustie.

Accuracy is the name of the game. Keep it on the short grass and you'll give yourself plenty of chances. Miss your lines and the heather and rough can turn a good card into hard work very quickly. It's proper inland golf with tighter fairways than you'll see on most links courses, smart bunkering and enough movement in the terrain to make club selection matter.

The finish is strong. The 18th asks for a solid second with the clubhouse sitting up beyond the green, which adds a bit of theatre when you're trying to close out your round.

If you want a change from the wind and wide horizons of the coast, Ladybank is the ideal contrast and it makes a cracking add-on for a Fife itinerary. After the round, it's well worth staying for lunch and a look back over the closing hole.

Who is this for?
Golfers based in St Andrews or touring Fife who want one inland round that still feels proper and comes with Open qualifying credentials.

Who is it best for?
Players who like plotting their way round and groups where accuracy beats raw length, especially if you want a quieter tee sheet than the big-name coastal venues.