Crail

A few miles up the road from one of the most picturesque Scottish villages on Fife’s East Neuk, Crail Golfing Society can be found. The Balcomie course is one of the best in Fife.Crail Golfing Society was established on February 23rd 1786 making it the seventh oldest golf club in existence anywhere.

In 1895 golfing legend Old Tom Morris was invited by the Society to design an extension to an existing 8 hole course. That course was Balcomie Links, now one of Scotland’s classics and has an enviable reputation for superbly maintained greens all year round.

The links commands lovely views over the Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth and the North Sea. There are many memorable holes with the most demanding being the par 4 5th Hell’s Hole, a right dogleg playing over the jagged rocks of Tullybothy Crags.

A second newer course named Craighead is longer and a formidable compatriot to the links of Balcomie. American designer Gil Hanse has used the abundant panoramic seascapes to great effect. Each hole changes direction constantly challenging the abilities of the golfer coupled with penal rough ravenous bunkers and the closing holes being the most severe.