Just a short drive from the heart of St. Andrews, the Crail Golfing Society is the 7th oldest golf club in the world, with records dating its formation to 1786.
The Balcomie Links was designed by Old Tom Morris in the 1890s, and not much has changed since then.
Although we shy away from the term, some might describe the Balcomie Links as “quirky.”
The course is less than 5900 yards and includes six par-3s, one of which is the closing hole.
And while it is lesser-known than the marquee courses in the St. Andrews area, Crail Golfing Society has become a popular choice for travelers looking to get off the well worn path in The Home of Golf.
If you’ve included a visit to Crail in your golf trip to Scotland, here’s a preview of what awaits.
1st Hole
The first hole on the Balcomie Links offers a warm welcome to Crail Golfing Society. High on the 1st tee, beneath the flags of the countries represented by the day’s visitors, it feels as if the entire links is stretched before you. The sea is to your right, all of the Kingdom of Fife is to your left, and the sense that this is Scottish links golf in its purest form is nearly impossible to ignore.
2nd Hole
The par-5 2nd hole at Crail Golfing Society is a potential nightmare for any right-handed player who is battling a slice. The sea feels uncomfortably close to the right-side of the fairway for the entire length of the hole. What’s worse, it’s marked as out of bounds. The 2nd shot is blind thanks to a ridge in the fairway. But assuming the winds are calm and you’ve kept it off the beach, this hole should make for a straightforward par.
13th Hole
There are a total of six par-3s on the Balcomie Links of Crail Golfing Society, two of which appear back-to-back on the inward nine. The 13th hole, known as Craighead, plays straight uphill, and may easily require driver off the tee if faced with the slightest breeze. Once on the green, however, the fun is only beginning… The undulating surface will make you earn your two-putt.
Photo courtesy of Crail Golfing Society
14th Hole
Easily one of the most photographed holes in the golf-rich Kingdom of Fife, the 14th at Crail Golfing Society is one of the best golf holes in St. Andrews. The hole is less than 150-yards, but finding the putting surface is not a foregone conclusion, thanks to a large bunker short of the green and the winds off the North Sea.
For some golfers, the 13th and 14th holes at Crail are famous for their supposed place in the literary world. Although author Michael Murphy had never been to Crail when he wrote Golf in the Kingdom, the two holes bear a striking resemblance to the course described in the famous novel.
Lobster at the Harbour
The harbour at Crail is home to many lobstermen who work the cold waters of the North Sea. After your round, make your way down to the harbour and one of the dockside seafood shacks. This is far from fine dining, but the opportunity to enjoy Scottish lobster, fresh off the boat, while the cool sea air whisks by, is a truly authentic experience.
Anstruther
Many golfers visit St. Andrews and never leave the heart of town, limiting their exploration to the golf courses and pubs in the Auld Grey Toon. This is a shame, because the Kingdom of Fife is home to a number of delightful seaside villages worthy of exploration. Located just 10-15 minutes from Crail, the town of Anstruther is a perfect example. The village offers an enjoyable stroll along the harbour, with a number of shops and pubs to enjoy after your round. Be sure to stop into the Anstruther Fish Bar… Many say it’s home to the best fish and chips in St. Andrews.
Clubhouse Bar
The 18th hole at Crail Golfing Society plays into the shadow of its clubhouse, perched high on a hill. After you putt out under the watchful eyes of those in the lounge, we suggest that you go join them. Of course, you’ll have to climb up the hill first. But once you’ve made it inside, the reward is one of the best clubhouse views in Scotland. The menu is quite good and probably exactly what you need after a few hours on the windswept links.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B
