You’ve planned the trip to St Andrews. The hotels are booked, the flights are sorted and then the Old Course tee time doesn't come through.
It happens. The Old Course remains one of the hardest tee times in golf to secure, whether you're trying the advance booking route, the daily ballot or the singles queue.
But missing out on the Old Course doesn't mean missing out on great golf.
St Andrews sits at the heart of one of the world's richest golfing regions, with championship links, historic clubs and modern designs all within easy reach. In fact, you could build an excellent Fife golf trip without ever setting foot on the Old Course.
Scotland Ranking: 26th | Green Fees: £155
Best For: Staying at the Home of Golf
If the Old Course tee time doesn't come through, there is no need to leave St Andrews in search of your next round. The New Course sits immediately alongside its more famous neighbour, offering the chance to play historic links golf at the Home of Golf without securing one of the game's most sought-after tee times.
Designed by Old Tom Morris and Edinburgh engineer Benjamin Hall Blyth, the New Course opened in 1895 after the Old Course became increasingly crowded with visitors arriving in St Andrews by train. The R&A helped fund its construction in exchange for allocated tee times on the Old Course, with those rights later incorporated into legislation governing the St Andrews links.
The New shares some of the Old's characteristics, including its traditional out-and-back layout, shared fairways and a double green serving the 3rd and 15th. But it is a tighter, more defined links, with fewer of the dramatic slopes and quirks that make the Old so distinctive. Undulating fairways, dense gorse and a series of holes winding through the dunes give it a character of its own.
The 10th is one of the standout holes, a demanding 464-yard par 4 that runs through a narrow gorge between two ranges of dunes. The closing stretch provides more of the course's best terrain, with the holes becoming increasingly shaped by the dunes as they turn back towards the clubhouse.
The New Course has spent much of its existence in the shadow of the Old, but that can perhaps work in the visitor's favour. For golfers who miss out on the famous tee time, it provides a chance to remain in St Andrews and discover a links course that has been part of the town's golfing landscape for more than 130 years.
World Ranking: 43rd | Scotland Ranking: 7th | Green Fees: £486
Best For: Another world-class links
Just six miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns offers a very different way to experience Fife links golf. Where the Old Course carries centuries of history, Kingsbarns is a modern creation, having opened in 2000, yet its natural appearance makes it feel as though it has been part of the coastline for generations.
American architect Kyle Phillips studied some of Scotland's great links, including Royal Dornoch, before shaping the course from what was originally a relatively flat piece of land. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of earth were moved during construction, but the finished product is remarkably convincing, with rippling fairways, natural-looking humps and hollows and the Cambo Burn winding through the layout.
The North Sea is never far away, either. Kingsbarns has around two kilometres of coastline, with sea views from almost every part of the course. Several holes venture close to the shore, while the elevated 4th and 5th provide particularly memorable views across the water.
Kingsbarns has also established itself on the tournament stage, co-hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside the Old Course and Carnoustie, while the course hosted the Women's British Open in 2017.
For a golfer who has missed out on the Old Course, Kingsbarns isn't simply a consolation round. It's a chance to play one of Scotland's modern links that has already earned a place among the country's established greats.
Scotland Ranking: 21st | Green Fees: From £75
Best For: Historic links with plenty of character
Just 12 miles south of St Andrews, The Golf House Club at Elie offers a very different experience from the Old Course, but one that is every bit as rooted in the history of Scottish golf.
Golf has been played on the Earlsferry links since at least 1589, while The Golf House Club itself was established in 1875. Old Tom Morris extended the course to 18 holes in 1895, with James Braid, who was born in nearby Earlsferry, also leaving his mark on the layout.
The result is a par-70 links with an unusual scorecard of 16 par 4s and two par 3s, played across firm, undulating ground beside the Firth of Forth. The wind can change the character of the holes throughout the round, while the large, contoured greens and fine links turf put a premium on precision rather than simply overpowering the course.
There is plenty of personality, too. The opening hole requires a blind drive over a hill, with a submarine periscope in the starter's hut allowing golfers to check the fairway before teeing off. Further into the round, the course turns towards the coast, with the 11th and 12th running alongside the beach before the 13th heads beneath the cliffs of Kincraig Point.
For golfers who miss out on the Old Course, Elie offers something the St Andrews showpiece can't - a chance to experience a historic Fife links where the golf, the landscape and the club's quirks are all part of the appeal.
Scotland Ranking: 57th | Green Fees: £170
Best For: Character and coastal views
Ten miles from St Andrews, on the eastern tip of the Kingdom of Fife, Balcomie Links occupies a narrow stretch of coastline overlooking the Firth of Forth. North Sea winds are a constant presence, while the opening holes hug the shoreline to produce one of the most enjoyable starts to a round in the East Neuk.
Balcomie is home to Crail Golfing Society, the ninth oldest golf club in the world, which was founded in 1786. The club originally played on an eight-hole course closer to the fishing village of Crail before moving to Balcomie, where Old Tom Morris was brought in to improve the existing nine-hole course in 1894. Four years later, he returned to extend it to 18 holes.
At just 5,922 yards from the men's medal tees, Balcomie is considerably shorter than many of the headline links courses around St Andrews. But the yardage can be misleading. With a par of 69 and the wind coming off the North Sea, club selection and accuracy matter more than the scorecard suggests.
The first five holes provide the real coastal highlight, with the opening hole falling towards the sea before the next four follow the shoreline. The course then turns inland for a quieter middle section before returning to the coast to finish the round.
It's also a course that rewards another go. The contrasting nines and ever-changing wind mean Balcomie can feel like a different test on a second round, making it an appealing option for golfers with more time in Fife.
For anyone who misses out on the Old Course, Balcomie offers a reminder that great Fife links golf extends well beyond the most famous names.
Scotland Ranking: 28th | Green Fees: £350
Best For: A modern take on links golf
Opened in 2020 on the 5,000-acre Balcarres Estate, Dumbarnie Links offers a more modern take on Fife links golf. The Clive Clark design occupies 350 acres beside Largo Bay, between Lundin Golf Club and The Golf House Club at Elie, and has quickly established itself as another reason to venture beyond St Andrews.
The course was built as a genuine pay-and-play facility, with an out-and-back layout that brings several holes close to the beach. Like Kingsbarns, the landscape was shaped during construction, but the result is a convincing links setting, with low dunes, rolling contours and views towards the Firth of Forth.
There is plenty of variety throughout the round. Raised tee shots feature on the 6th, 8th and 9th, while the greens are surrounded by generous run-off areas that give golfers options when approaching from the wrong side of the pin. Bunkers range from small pot-style hazards to larger sandy areas edged by native vegetation.
The 1st provides an early taste of what is to come, with a wide fairway leading downhill towards a large green, while the 5th and 15th offer split-fairway options. The downhill par-three 8th is another highlight, and the short 17th provides a memorable finish, climbing towards a three-tiered green beyond a 300-year-old stone wall.
Dumbarnie has already attracted championship golf, hosting the Women's Scottish Open in 2021, just a year after opening. For golfers who have missed out on the Old Course, Dumbarnie provides a chance to experience a very different side of Fife, with a modern links that has already established itself on the golfing map.
Green fees quoted are summer 2026 rates where available
There are few better places to tee it up than the Home of Golf. There are also few tee times harder to come by. Playing the Old Course at St Andrews is rarely as simple as finding an empty slot and clicking 'book'. For golfers who haven't secured a tee time in advance, the daily ballot offers another route onto one of the world's most famous golf courses. It is, quite literally, a draw: you enter with your group, wait for the result and hope your names appear. The process is straightforward once you know the rules, but there are a few details that can catch first-time visitors out. Here's how the Old Course ballot actually works. What Is the Old Course Ballot? The Old Course ballot is a daily draw for golfers looking to play the course without an advance tee time. Rather than opening every visitor tee time for advance bookings, St Andrews Links makes a proportion available through the ballot. Golfers can enter shortly before their preferred day of play, with successful applicants then allocated a tee time. The important thing to understand is that entering the ballot does not guarantee you a round. You are entering a draw for the available tee times on that particular day. The ballot is sometimes referred to as the Old Course lottery, but there is nothing particularly complicated about it. Once you know when to enter and what information you need, the process is relatively simple. How Does the Old Course Ballot Work? There are five basic steps to entering the Old Course ballot. 1. Choose Your Day to Play The ballot is drawn two days before play. That means golfers need to plan a little differently from a conventional golf booking. If you want to play on a Thursday, for example, your ballot entry is made on the Tuesday. The Old Course is closed on Sundays, so there is no ballot for Sunday play. Visitors are still welcome to walk the course freely and stop for the obligatory photo on the Swilcan Bridge. 2. Enter the Ballot by 2pm Entries close at 2pm, two days before the day you want to play. For example: Want to play Thursday? Enter by 2pm Tuesday. Miss the deadline and you'll have to wait for another opportunity. Entries can be made through the St Andrews Links system, with golfers required to provide the relevant details for everyone in their group. 3. Add Your Group The main Old Course ballot is for groups of two, three or four golfers. Each golfer's name, home golf club and handicap must be provided, with a maximum handicap of 36. A single golfer cannot enter the standard group ballot. This is worth knowing before you arrive in St Andrews. If you're travelling alone, there is another option: St Andrews operates a separate Singles Daily Draw, which we'll explain below. 4. Wait for the Ballot Draw Once the 2pm deadline has passed, St Andrews conducts the draw for the available tee times. This is where the element of chance comes in. There is no trick that guarantees success, your application is simply considered alongside the other groups looking to play that day. The number of available tee times can vary, so there is no fixed success rate that applies to every ballot. 5. Check Your Ballot Result The results are published later that afternoon. If your group is successful, you'll be given an Old Course tee time and can then complete the necessary arrangements to play. If you're unsuccessful, you haven't lost a booking fee or a deposit simply by entering. You can try again for another eligible day if your itinerary allows. How Can Singles Get an Old Course Tee Time? Not every golfer arrives in St Andrews with three playing partners in tow. Fortunately, travelling alone doesn't necessarily mean missing out on the Old Course. The standard Old Course ballot is designed for groups of two to four golfers, so a solo visitor cannot simply enter the main draw on their own. However, individual golfers have other avenues to explore. The Singles Route Since March 2024, individual golfers have entered the Singles Daily Draw, which replaced the old system of golfers queuing overnight in the hope of picking up a tee time. The process is separate from the main Old Course ballot and takes place the day before play. Singles can enter the draw in person between 9am and 5pm at either the Old Pavilion, beside the first tee, or the St Andrews Links Clubhouse. At 5pm, a randomised draw is made, with successful golfers notified by email and SMS. If selected, the golfer is given a place on the Old Course by joining an existing group with an available space. In other words, you don't need to arrive with three friends to play the Old Course as a single, but you do need to be prepared to join other golfers. It is a much more civilised system than the old singles queue, which meant you could spend hours waiting outside in the hope of getting onto the course the following day. The digital draw gives solo golfers a defined application window and a randomised chance of securing a tee time instead. What Happens If You Win the Old Course Ballot? The good news is that you have an Old Course tee time. Your group will be allocated a time from the available ballot sheet, rather than choosing a particular slot in the way you might when booking an ordinary public course. Tee times can vary considerably depending on the day and season, so don't build your entire day's itinerary around a particular time until the result has been confirmed. You should also have your handicap information available. The maximum handicap for the Old Course is 36, and St Andrews can require evidence of handicap before play. The 2026 high-season green fee is £355, although rates vary by season. What Happens If You Lose the Old Course Ballot? Nothing, other than a slight dent to your plans. You don't pay simply for entering the ballot, and an unsuccessful application doesn't prevent you from trying again on another eligible day. This is why flexibility can be valuable when planning a St Andrews golf trip. If you're staying for several days, you can enter the ballot on more than one occasion rather than putting everything on a single draw. It's also worth having a plan B. St Andrews Links is home to six other courses - New, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove - which don’t require you to enter a lottery, so an unsuccessful ballot doesn't have to mean a wasted day of golf. Can You Improve Your Chances of Winning the Old Course Ballot? There is no magic formula. The ballot is a draw, and the number of applications and available tee times varies from day to day. That means there is no reliable percentage chance of success that can be applied to every golfer or every date. What you can do is give yourself more opportunities. If your schedule allows, consider entering on multiple eligible days. Being flexible about when you play also means you're not relying on one particular draw. Peak periods can be particularly competitive, while availability varies throughout the season, so it's sensible to approach the ballot as an opportunity rather than a guarantee. Old Course Ballot FAQs How Far in Advance Can You Enter the Old Course Ballot? The ballot is drawn two days before play, with entries closing at 2pm. So, for example, golfers hoping to play on Thursday must enter by 2pm on Tuesday. Can You Enter the Old Course Ballot as a Single? Not through the standard group ballot. The main ballot accepts groups of two, three or four golfers. St Andrews has a separate system for individual golfers. How Many Golfers Can Enter the Old Course Ballot? A standard ballot application can contain two, three or four golfers. What Handicap Do You Need for the Old Course Ballot? The maximum handicap is 36 for men and women. Golfers should be prepared to provide evidence of their handicap. Can You Enter the Old Course Ballot More Than Once? Yes. If you're staying in St Andrews for several days, you can enter for multiple eligible playing days. Each day's ballot is a separate draw. Does Winning the Ballot Guarantee a Specific Tee Time? Winning the ballot means your group has secured an Old Course tee time, but you don't simply choose whatever time you want. Your group is allocated a time from the available ballot sheet. Is the Old Course Ballot Worth Trying? The Old Course ballot won't give you certainty, but it does give visitors another way onto the most famous fairways in golf. For anyone with some flexibility in their itinerary, there's little to lose by entering. Know the deadline, make sure your group meets the requirements and be prepared to try again if your name doesn't come out. And if you're travelling alone, remember that the Singles Daily Draw offers a separate route to the first tee.
The Home of Golf is a bucket-list destination for any golfer, but experiencing some of Scotland's best courses can quickly become an expensive pursuit. Fortunately, you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to play some of the country's highest-ranked courses. From historic inland layouts to remote links on the coast, Scotland is home to plenty of exceptional courses that can be played for less than £100. Top100 has collated five of the highest-ranked courses open to the public for under £100, offering travelling golfers the chance to experience some of Scotland's finest golf without the premium price tag. 1. Lanark Golf Club (Lanarkshire) Scotland ranking: 33rd | Green fee: £90 If you're looking for affordable golf with considerable history behind it, Lanark is hard to beat, with a round setting you back £90. Founded in 1851, it lays claim to being the world's oldest inland golf course – and the 25th oldest golf club in the world – with more than 170 years of golf played on the same stretch of common land. But history isn't the only reason to visit. Sitting around 600 feet above sea level on free-draining glacial sand, Lanark has the characteristics you might expect from a links rather than a moorland course. The layout also carries the fingerprints of two of golf's greatest architects, with Old Tom Morris creating an 18-hole routing in 1897 before James Braid reshaped four holes in 1927. While Lanark will certainly test more experienced golfers, its charm isn't reserved for the low-handicapper. The varied terrain, interesting greens and relatively forgiving setting make it an enjoyable course for anyone keen to experience traditional Scottish golf. For golfers still finding their feet, it offers a chance to play somewhere with genuine history and character without feeling like they've stepped onto an intimidating championship stage. Located in Scotland's Central Lowlands, the 33rd-ranked course in the country is easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, with both cities less than an hour's drive away. 2. Southerness Golf Club (Dumfries & Galloway) Scotland ranking: 36th | Green fee: £95 If you're looking to escape the crowds without compromising on quality, Southerness is well worth the journey. Perched on a remote headland on the Solway coast, this lesser-known links offers spectacular views across the water to the mountains of the Lake District, with Criffel providing an impressive backdrop. Founded in 1947, the course was laid out by Philip Mackenzie Ross, a former partner of renowned architect Tom Simpson, and is widely regarded as his finest solo composition. At just over 6,500 yards, Southerness may appear manageable on paper, but its par of 69 makes it a stern test, with eight par fours measuring more than 400 yards. Gorse and heather line the fairways, while some of the best holes hug the shoreline. Despite its challenge, generous fairways provide plenty of room to enjoy the course, making Southerness an appealing choice for golfers of varying abilities. Ranked 36th in Scotland and costing just £95, it's a superb-value way to experience genuine Scottish links golf without the crowds. 3. Pitlochry Golf Course (Perth & Kinross) Scotland ranking: 58th | Green fee: £85 “Where golf, beauty and the social life go hand in hand,” a common description of Pitlochry Golf Club reads. Set above the colourful Victorian town of the same name, the course winds through the Perthshire hills with spectacular views at almost every turn. It's a setting that makes the walk between shots feel just as rewarding as the golf itself. Designed by Willie Fernie in 1908 and later tweaked by Major Cecil Hutchison, Pitlochry makes full use of the natural landscape of the Balnacraig and Drumchorry farms. The opening three holes climb steeply uphill, but the effort is rewarded with some of the finest views on the course. At under 5,700 yards and a par of 69, Pitlochry doesn’t intimidate on the scorecard, but its small, fast greens and dramatic changes in elevation make it a deceptively tricky test. With no par fives, and holes crossing gorges and valleys, there's plenty to keep experienced golfers interested while its friendly atmosphere makes it an inviting choice for those still finding their game. Ranked 58th in Scotland for just £85, it's a scenic and affordable addition to any Scottish golf trip. 4. Gullane Golf Club – No.3 (Edinburgh & Lothians) Scotland ranking: 59th | Green fee: £70 Gullane No.3 may live in the shadow of its famous neighbours, but calling it a lesser course would be a serious disservice. Opened in 1910, this compact links offers the same superb conditioning and spectacular East Lothian setting as Gullane No.1 and No.2, but at a far more accessible price. At just over 5,200 yards, length isn't the key to scoring here. With only one par four exceeding 400 yards, Gullane No.3 rewards accurate approach play and a confident putting stroke, while strategically placed bunkers and slick greens provide plenty of challenge. The course climbs Gullane Hill between the fourth and 15th holes, with the reward being one of the finest views in Scottish golf – across the Firth of Forth, with the other two Gullane courses to the right, and Luffness New, Kilspindie and Craigielaw all visible below. For golfers who want to experience one of Scotland's great golfing regions without breaking the bank, Gullane No.3 is an easy choice. With two top-10-ranked Scottish courses nearby in Muirfield and North Berwick, Gullane No.3 is also an ideal addition to a multi-course East Lothian itinerary. Ranked 59th in Scotland and costing just £70, it's one of the country's best-value links experiences. 5. St Andrews Links – Eden Course (Fife) Scotland ranking: 62nd | Green fee: £80 Struggling to get on the Old Course, or not wanting to pay £355 for the privilege? You can still walk the links of the Home of Golf and play at St Andrews for just £80, with the Eden Course offering a very different – and far more affordable – way to experience this legendary golfing destination. The Eden is by no means a mere alternative, with five-time Open champion Tom Watson once describing its front nine as being up there with the best in the world. Designed by Harry Colt in 1914, it is a strategic rather than punishing test, with generously proportioned fairways giving way to some of the most undulating greens across the St Andrews Links Trust courses. Deep pot bunkers, fairway humps and hollows and out-of-bounds hazards keep you thinking your way around the 6,112-yard, par-70 layout. The course's standout holes include the two-tiered fifth green and the challenging 17th, while the pond between the 14th and 15th is the only inland water hazard across the Links Trust courses. Ranked 62nd in Scotland, the Eden is a fantastic option for golfers who want the St Andrews experience without the Old Course price tag. Green fees quoted are summer 2026 rates where available
No golf destination carries quite the same weight as the Kingdom of Fife. This peninsula jutting into the North Sea between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay is where the game was born, where its rules are written, and where golfers have been making pilgrimages for six centuries. It is Scotland's most densely packed region for quality golf. The Old Course at St Andrews sits at the very summit of the world rankings, but Fife's strength goes far beyond one famous address. Kingsbarns ranks among the finest modern links on the planet; Dumbarnie has shot to prominence since opening in 2020; the Castle Course, New Course, and Jubilee provide championship-level variety without leaving the St Andrews links complex. Venture further south into the East Neuk and you find Elie, Crail, Lundin Links, and Leven – courses that serious golfers return to again and again. Venturing inland to Ladybank and Scotscraig rewards those willing to look beyond the coast. A week in Fife barely scratches the surface. A fortnight leaves you wanting more. This guide covers everything needed to plan a trip that does justice to Scotland's most extraordinary golf region. Fife Golf: Why It Should Top Your Travel List 🌟 Unmatched Golf Density Fife leads Scotland's regional breakdown with the most courses in the Top 100, ahead of East Lothian and Ayrshire. Within a 40km (25-mile) radius of St Andrews, golfers can access more world-class links than on any comparable stretch of coastline anywhere. The concentration is genuinely remarkable… drive 20 minutes east from St Andrews, and you are playing Kingsbarns; 30 minutes west and you are at the East Neuk classics; an hour north and Scotscraig awaits. The quality also spans every price point and every course style. The range means golfers on any budget can build a serious itinerary. A Golf Trip Unlike Any Other Home of Golf heritage – it is the home of golf and where the R&A still governs the global game from Championship pedigree – the Old Course alone has hosted 29 Opens; Kingsbarns co-hosts the Dunhill Links each autumn Modern excellence – Dumbarnie (2020) and the Castle Course (2008) prove Fife's ability to produce world-class new designs Diversity of terrain – links, heathland, parkland, and clifftop golf all within an hour's drive Infrastructure – St Andrews supports international golfers with world-class hotels, caddies, equipment rental, and year-round play Fife's Finest Golf Courses ⛳ The Top Eight – Essential Fife Golf 1. The Old Course at St Andrews The Old Course at St Andrews – The most famous golf course in the world sits at the very heart of the town, its fairways woven into the fabric of St Andrews itself. The course divides opinion among architects and purists – the blind shots, shared fairways, and vast double greens are either baffling or revelatory depending on the round – but no golfer leaves unmoved. A guaranteed tee time requires booking many months in advance through an authorised operator. The daily ballot offers a more affordable route but demands flexibility; the ballot draws 48 hours ahead, and results are announced after 5 pm. Caddies are strongly recommended to complete the experience. 2. Kingsbarns Golf Links Kingsbarns Golf Links – Opened in 2000, Kyle Phillips's design transformed flat farmland 11km (7 miles) southeast of St Andrews into one of the most celebrated links in existence. The North Sea is visible from every part of the course, and six holes play directly along the shoreline. The par-5 12th, sweeping around the bay, and the par-3 15th, demanding a carry over a rocky inlet, are among the most photographed holes in Scottish golf. Kingsbarns co-hosts the Dunhill Links Championship with the Old Course and Carnoustie each autumn. The club's caddie operation is excellent, and the post-round hospitality matches the best in Scotland. 3. Dumbarnie Links Dumbarnie Links – Clive Clark's 2020 creation on the 5,000-acre Balcarres Estate has made one of the most dramatic entrances in recent Scottish golf history. Set on the Fife coast overlooking the Firth of Forth, with 14 of 18 holes offering sea views, Dumbarnie stretches to 7,600 yards from the tips and can be set up with up to three drivable par-4s depending on conditions. The 10th, defending itself with a large water feature, is the hardest hole on the course; the 17th, a short par-4 climbing over a stone wall and wetland, captures the Scottish links spirit perfectly. Dumbarnie hosted the Women's Scottish Open in 2021 and has quickly established itself as one of Scotland's finest pay-and-play venues. 4. St Andrews Castle Course St Andrews Links (Castle Course) – The newest addition to the St Andrews Links Trust portfolio was designed by David McLay Kidd and opened in 2008. Laid out on a clifftop above the town with over 1.6km (a mile) of waterfront. The Castle Course divides opinion within the St Andrews family as it lacks the 'natural' links character of its famous siblings, but the clifftop setting delivers drama that few courses anywhere can match. The closing three holes of each nine are strung along the coastline, and the wind at this exposed elevation makes the Castle Course play more difficult than its yardage suggests. Closed from November to February. 5. St Andrews New Course St Andrews Links (New Course) – Created in 1895 by Old Tom Morris and Benjamin Hall Blythe to relieve pressure on the Old Course, the New Course is considered by many locals to be the finest test in St Andrews. Tighter and more defined than its famous neighbour, the New rewards precision over creativity and has hosted national championships for over a century. It is outstanding value for a course of this quality and heritage. 6. Golf House Club, Elie Golf House Club, Elie – James Braid was born and raised at Elie, and while it was Old Tom Morris who laid out the current 18 holes in 1895, Braid made his revisions in 1921, and the course has remained largely untouched since. Elie is famously quirky. For example, the starter uses a submarine periscope salvaged from HMS Excalibur to check that the opening hole is clear before sending groups on their way. Five-time Open champion Peter Thomson called it the most enjoyable course he knew, and the layout of 16 par-4s and two par-3s, with fiery greens and constant Firth of Forth views, makes the claim easy to understand. Visitor access is limited in the summer due to member priority, so early booking is essential. 7. St Andrews Jubilee Course St Andrews Links (Jubilee Course) – Often described as the most challenging of the St Andrews courses, the Jubilee was built in 1897 and sits between the New Course and the sea. The Jubilee is considered excellent preparation for anyone hoping to play the Old Course. 8. Crail Balcomie Links Crail (Balcomie Links) – Golf has been played at Crail since 1786, making it one of the oldest clubs in the world. Old Tom Morris designed the current Balcomie Links layout in the late 1890s, with the course positioned right on the craggy East Neuk coastline. With stone walls, railway sleeper bunker faces, and natural hollows as hazards, Crail has an authenticity that newer courses spend fortunes trying to recreate. Crail is 15km (9 miles) from St Andrews and serves as an ideal companion round to Kingsbarns, just minutes away. Worth Every Minute: Fife's B-Side Courses 🎯 The Supporting Cast That Steals the Show One of Fife's great secrets is how well its mid-tier courses compare to headline acts elsewhere in Scotland. The following seven are ranked 9–14 in Fife's Top 100 regional listing, and each one earns its place in any serious Fife itinerary. 9. Crail Craighead Links Crail (Craighead Links) – Gil Hanse's 1998 design at Crail occupies higher ground than its older sibling, Balcomie, and offers more dramatic elevation changes and sweeping views in multiple directions. Craighead's tall fescue rough is among the most demanding in Fife, and the green complexes require careful thought. Playing both Crail courses in a single day is entirely achievable and gives a fascinating contrast in approach and character. 10. Lundin Golf Club Lundin Links – Lundin's unusual origins. The club shared a course with Leven Golf Club until 1909, when James Braid was brought in to create a separate layout, giving the course a character unlike any other in Fife. The front nine is classic links; the back nine crosses an old railway line into a different style entirely. Lundin hosted Open Final Qualifying when the Championship was at St Andrews for many years, which says everything about the quality of the test. Six holes play adjacent to the beach, and the 18th, at 450 yards, is one of the toughest finishers in the Kingdom. 11. Leven Links Leven Links – Sharing the same stretch of coastline as Lundin, Leven is the more traditional of the two and offers one of the most honest links tests in Fife at a price that feels increasingly rare for a course of this calibre. The par-3s can be particularly devilish, and the two closing holes are as strong as any in the East Neuk. The golf club dates to 1820, making Leven one of the older clubs in Scotland. 12. Ladybank Golf Club Ladybank Golf Club – Ladybank is Fife's only heathland course is a pine-lined inland gem that offers a completely different experience from the coastal links dominating the rest of the Kingdom's roster. Old Tom Morris designed the original layout, and the course has hosted Open qualifying and top amateur events, including the Scottish PGA Championship. The contrast with a day on the links is deeply refreshing, and the course's compact, strategic nature rewards intelligent play over raw power. 13. Scotscraig Golf Club Scotscraig Golf Club – Founded in 1817, Scotscraig is among the 20 oldest golf clubs in the world and sits in the north of Fife near Tayport. The hybrid course, partly heathland, partly links, sits close to the sea without actually playing along it. James Braid redesigned the layout in 1923, and his accuracy-focused design rewards careful course management over aggression. Scotscraig hosts Open qualifying when the Championship is at St Andrews and held the Scottish PGA Championship in 2023. 14. St Andrews Eden Course St Andrews Links (Eden Course) – The Eden sits within the St Andrews Links complex, tucked between the estuary of the River Eden and the more celebrated courses. Redesigned by Harry Colt in 1913, it is a genuine links test at an accessible price point and makes an excellent warm-up round for groups visiting St Andrews for the first time. Where to Stay: The Fairmont St Andrews 🏨 The Golf Resort of Choice for Fife For golfers seeking a single base that combines world-class accommodation with on-site golf, the Fairmont St Andrews stands apart from every other option in the Kingdom. The five-star resort occupies a dramatic clifftop position 3km (2 miles) from the Old Course, with views across St Andrews Bay that set the mood from the moment of arrival. The Fairmont's 209 rooms and suites range from golf-view standard rooms to sprawling spa suites, and the hotel's Esperante restaurant has earned consistent recognition for its Scottish menu. The leisure facilities, including an indoor pool and spa, provide welcome recovery between rounds on days when Fife's weather has taken its toll. For golfers not staying at the Fairmont, St Andrews town centre offers a substantial choice. The Rusacks Marine Hotel occupies one of the most coveted positions in Scottish golf, overlooking the 18th hole of the Old Course from just beyond the boundary. Its recent renovation has brought it back to the standard the location demands. The Old Course Hotel, directly adjacent to the 17th Road Hole of the Old Course, remains the most famous golf hotel address in Scotland and serves as the unofficial meeting point for serious golfers visiting St Andrews. In the East Neuk, the small fishing towns of Anstruther, Pittenweem, and Crail offer characterful B&B and self-catering accommodation that puts golfers within minutes of Elie, the two Crail courses, Lundin, and Leven. For golfers making Elie or Lundin Links the centrepiece of a visit rather than St Andrews, basing in the East Neuk avoids the traffic and crowds of the town while keeping the top courses within easy reach. Getting There and Getting Around 🚗✈️ Reaching Fife Edinburgh Airport is the primary international gateway, with direct flights from London (1 hour), most major European cities, and transatlantic services from New York, Boston, and Toronto. The drive from Edinburgh to St Andrews takes approximately 75 minutes via the Forth Road Bridge and the M90. Dundee Airport serves regional UK routes and sits 35km (22 miles) from St Andrews. Trains from Edinburgh to Leuchars station (the stop for St Andrews) take approximately 1 hour; the connecting bus into town adds 15 minutes. For golfers planning multiple East Neuk courses, a rental car is essentially mandatory. All the key courses are within 45 minutes of St Andrews by car. Getting Around Fife A hire car is the practical choice for any golfer playing more than two or three courses. The road network in Fife is straightforward and largely free of congestion outside St Andrews town centre. Distances are compact: Kingsbarns is 11km (7 miles) southeast; Elie is 24km (15 miles) south; Lundin Links is 30km (19 miles) southwest; Ladybank is 32km (20 miles) west; Scotscraig is 26km (16 miles) north. Most golfers based in St Andrews can reach any course in Fife within 45 minutes. Clubs, Equipment, and Caddies Caddies are strongly recommended on the Old Course. The local knowledge on the Old Course is genuinely invaluable and transforms an enjoyable round into a memorable one. Weather and When to Visit Golf in Fife is a year-round proposition, though the experience varies significantly by season. May to September offers the longest days, the best weather reliability, and peak green fees. Late April and early October provide excellent conditions at shoulder-season pricing, with fewer crowds and the same course quality. Winter play (November to March) is possible on most courses, with green fees dropping substantially. The Dunhill Links Championship in early October is a significant draw for Fife at that time of year, with the Old Course, Kingsbarns, and Carnoustie all hosting the pro-am. The Open Championship at St Andrews – next scheduled for 2030 following the 150th edition in 2022 – creates enormous demand for the entire year in question and the year before. Booking Golf in Fife 📅 Securing Tee Times at the Top Courses The Old Course requires the most planning. Guaranteed commercial tee times through authorised operators sell out many months in advance – for peak season, 12 months ahead is not excessive. The daily ballot is drawn 48 hours before play and offers a more affordable route but demands flexibility and a willingness to adjust the day's schedule. Entering the annual private ballot in late August for the following year is the most popular approach. Kingsbarns releases tee times well in advance, and the booking process is straightforward through the club's website. Dumbarnie's visitor tee times are bookable directly via email or phone and the club is responsive to inquiries – booking 2–3 months ahead for peak summer is prudent. The East Neuk courses of Elie, Crail, Lundin, and Leven generally have more availability and bookable time slots within a 4–6 week window in summer. Elie is the notable exception: member priority severely limits visitor access at weekends in high season, and weekday play is strongly advisable for non-members. Ladybank and Scotscraig are the most accessible of Fife's top courses and can often be booked within days during the summer. The St Andrews Links Trust courses (New, Jubilee, Eden, Castle) are bookable through the Links Trust website or via authorised operators. Package deals combining two Links courses on consecutive days are offered and provide meaningful savings over individual bookings. Beyond the Fairways 🏰 When the Clubs Are Put Away St Andrews is a complete destination beyond golf. The University of St Andrews, founded in 1413 and the oldest in Scotland, gives the town an intellectual energy that distinguishes it from most golf destinations. The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral – once the largest in Scotland before the Reformation – and the adjacent St Andrews Castle are worth a morning's exploration. The British Golf Museum, adjacent to the R&A Clubhouse, is the finest golf heritage museum in the world and an essential context for any serious golfer visiting the Kingdom. The East Neuk villages – Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, and Crail – reward exploration on any day away from golf. The Pittenweem Arts Festival each August transforms the village into a gallery town; the working fishing harbour at Anstruther is active year-round; Crail's harbour, with its distinctive red pantile rooftops, is among the most photographed spots in Fife. Scotland's Secret Bunker near Anstruther, a Cold War nuclear command centre preserved underground, provides a genuinely surprising afternoon for the curious. Walking the Fife Coastal Path, which stretches 117km (73 miles) from the Forth Road Bridge to the Tay Bridge, is increasingly popular with non-golfing partners. The section from Largo to St Andrews is particularly rewarding and passes several of the region's best courses. The village of Falkland, home to Falkland Palace, a Renaissance royal hunting lodge that served as a retreat for Mary Queen of Scots, is worth the 30-minute drive inland for a complete change of pace. Insider Local Knowledge 💡 What the Guidebooks Miss The Old Course is closed every Sunday – a fact that surprises first-time visitors Ballot tee times on the Old Course are actually cheaper than commercial guaranteed times Elie's periscope starter system is worth arriving early for The Craigtoun Course (formerly Duke's) is now a St Andrews Links Trust property and offers a heathland experience completely unlike the links courses Lundin Links and Leven Links share the same stretch of coastline and are most rewarding played together; the contrast between Braid's hybrid Lundin design and Leven's traditional links format is instructive and thoroughly enjoyable Ladybank is easily overlooked but consistently surprises visitors who expect a 'lesser' inland course Pack waterproofs regardless of the forecast; Fife weather changes rapidly, and even the best forecasting is unreliable on the coast Golf in The Kingdom of Fife Awaits 🏴 Fife rewards planning but forgives those who arrive without much of it. The sheer density of outstanding golf means that a trip here produces memories that last a lifetime. The Kingdom of Golf earned its name long before marketing departments existed, and the courses that fill this guide prove it still deserves the title. Book the Old Course as early as possible, be flexible with everything else, and trust that Fife will deliver. It always does.
