Fairmont St Andrews

Widely regarded as the toughest course on the Open Championship rota, Carnoustie is held in the highest regard with good reason. Carnoustie has hosted 8 Open Championships and 1 Women’s Open Championship.

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Distance From Course: 12 miles

The Carnoustie Burnside Links is a fantastic course that has previously been used for Open Qualifying; it’s actually where Ben Hogan qualified before he claimed the Claret Jug on the Championship course in 1953.

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Distance From Course: 12 miles

The Carnoustie Buddon Links course is the little brother to the Championship Course but in it’s own right, a very good course. It is always presented in immaculate condition and provides a fun and enjoyable challenge to all golfers. The Carnoustie Buddon links has been stretched in length over the years so don’t expect it to be a pushover – especially with the typical east coast breeze.

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Distance From Course: 12 miles

The Dukes Course belongs to the Old Course Hotel and sits high above the famous town of St Andrews.  It is widely regarded as being among the best heathland courses in the UK and has been improved over the years to provide an excellent alternative the huge variety of links golf available in this most famous of golfing regions.  The course is defined by its length - its over 7500 yards from the tips, the large waste bunkers that feature on several holes and the spectacular views of St Andrews.  There is a fantastic clubhouse with luxurious locker rooms and a great restaurant and if you`re lucky enough to be staying in the hotel, you`ll enjoy free transfers to and from the course. 

Distance From Course: 4 miles

 Crail Golfing Society was founded in 1786 and is the 7th oldest golf club in the world.  The Balcomie Links was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895 and the new Craighead course, designed by world renowned architect Gil Hanse, was opened for play in 1998.

Balcomie has 3 par fives, 6 par threes and 9 par fours making it an unusual layout.  Unusual certainly doesn`t mean easy as the natural links land, cleverly positioned bunkers and shots over rocky bays put a premium on accuracy.

Craighead offers players stunning views from every hole and designer, Gil Hanse, has remained true to the traditions of the game.  there are no trees to protect shots from the reliable but fluky winds, deep bunkers and wikedly sloping greens.

This stretch of coast is home to some of the world`s most famous courses and both courses at Crail sit comfortably among their more illustrious neighbours.

Distance From Course: 6 miles

Ladybank Golf Club continued in the fine tradition of its more illustrious neighbours by engaging legendary course designer Old Tom Morris to lay out the original, 6-hole heathland course.  It was extended over the years with the 18 hole version opeing in 1961.

Ladybank has hosted local final qualifying for the Open Championship as recently as 2010 and many world renowned players, including Sam Torrance, Bernhard Langer and Justin Leonard have graced the fine heathland fairways.

Look out for the signature hole - the 9th - a dog-leg par 4 with a tricky two tier green. 

Distance From Course: 15 miles

Scotscraig is another of the R&A`s preferred final qualifying venues for the Open Championship.  It last hosted this prestigious tournament in 2010 - the year Louis Oosthuizen defeated a distant Lee Westwood at the main event over the Old Course, St Andrews.

The course is, strictly speaking, a heathland layout, but it proximity to the North Sea coast means you will have to deal with a fairly reliable sea breeze and fairways that bear more than a passing resemblance to their link-land cousins.

The 4th and 14th holes are particularly good, the first demanding accuracy to avoid deep riveted bunkers and the latter requiring a combination on power an accuracy to conquer its considerable 523 yard length. 

Distance From Course: 10 miles

 The Golf House Club, Elie, better known as Elie Golf Club, is a short but rewarding links classic that will live long in the memory of anyone fortunate enough to play it.

It is highly regarded by even the most celebrated players. Peter Thomson, 5 time Open Champion, said that given the chance, he`d `build Elies all over the world`.

Simply over-powering the course is not an option as the undulating fairways and quick, superbly conditioned greens can be treacherous.  

The views from all parts of the course are spectacular.  On a clear day players stare out across the Firth of Forth towards Muirfield and North Berwick while some holes are so close to the shore that it`s not uncommon to see seals basking on the rocks.  Elie has a beautiful clubhouse with great facilities including an excellent pro shop, a traditional bar and a fine restaurant.  And don`t foget to take a look inside the starter`s hut where play is controlled with the help of a periscope - salvaged from HMS Excalibur in 1966.  

Elie is just 25 minutes from St Andrews and is a course that should form part of any trip to this most famous of golfing coasts.

Distance From Course: 10 miles

The West Links at North Berwick is a classic 9 holes out and 9 holes back links golf course, where you try to score on one and survive on the other. Bass Rock watches over you from the Firth of Forth, as you navigate your way across the slightly raised ground on which the golf course sits, offering spectacular views.

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Distance From Course: 18 miles

Quite simply, one of Scotland’s modern greats and most sought-after golf experiences in the country, let alone St Andrews. Kingsbarns is located on 1.8 miles of pristine coastline and is only 7 miles from St Andrews itself meaning that it is a must include golf course during your stay in St Andrews.

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Distance From Course: 4 miles

The Castle Course is the newest addition to the St Andrews Links golf courses. Opened in 2008, the Castle Course is unmissable and one of the very best golf courses in the area. It is a demanding golf course and a great challenge.

Perched on the rugged clifftop and boasting some of the very best views overlooking the old town of St Andrews, the Castle Course is a great modern links design. The clubhouse at the Castle Course is frequented by golfers and non-golfers alike, offering stunning views and a great place to relax post round.

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 1 miles

Some of the best views of the coastline can be found whilst playing Gullane No.2. With some tees and greens perched at the highest points of the dunes.

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Distance From Course: 20 miles

The New Course at St Andrews is considered the oldest “New” course in the world being built in 1895! With undulating fairways and tricky greens, the New Course is a great layout and a real test of every club in the bag around this traditional links.

Stretching out at 6625 yards and par 71, the course is perhaps a tad shorter by modern standards however it is a great design and well worth playing as part of your St Andrews golf holiday experience.

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 3 miles

Located just 20 miles along the coast from Edinburgh City, Gullane Golf Club has golf all year round no matter the weather. Based right in the heart of Gullane, it is a short walk to some local bars and restaurants.

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Distance From Course: 20 miles

Gullane Golf Club’s best views can be found whilst playing No. 3. The backdrop of No.2 and No.1 are ever present and a treat for the eyes.

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Distance From Course: 20 miles

With some of the best practice facilities in Scotland, two fantastic golf course and luxurious self-catering accommodation, Archerfield Links is a must visit for any golfer.

The Fidra Links is quicky being recognised as one of the best golf courses in East Lothian, with a beautiful blend or pine framed and links golf.

After opening in 2004, The Fidra Links at Archerfield offers modern styled links to Scotland’s Golf Coast. The opening holes weave their way through tall pine trees before it opens to views of Bass Rock Lighthouse and out to the Firth of Forth. A great mix of short and long par 3s and 4s will ensure that every club in your bag is used throughout the round. Hitting the big greens is only half the task as the undulating greens will test your putting to the maximum.

It has played host to the Paul Lawrie Match Play in 2016 on the European Tour, with rave reviews from many of the players (England’s Anthony Wall beating Alex Noren in the Final).

Distance From Course: 18 miles

Sharing the same world class facilities as the Fidra Links, the Dirleton is located more inland and a more classic style of links course. With the first and tenth tees located near the luxury Archerfield Lodges, there is no excuse for being late for your tee time.

With less pine tree to navigate, The Dirleton Links is visually more inviting from the tee and presents a gentler walk than its neighbour. Avoiding some of the huge bunkers off the tee is the secret to scoring well. Gorse bushes line many of the holes, meaning you feel like you have the course to yourself.

Both courses, designed by D.J. Russell, complement each other beautifully within the resort. Being located only 10 minutes from the town of North Berwick, it is the perfect mix of being based on a golf resort and an in-town golf holiday. 

Distance From Course: 18 miles

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield) does not need much of an introduction.

One of the oldest golf clubs (1744) and a regular venue on the Open Championship rota, it is consistently voted as one of the best golf courses in the world.

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Distance From Course: 20 miles

The youngest golf course in East Lothian, The Renaissance Club has it all; stunning coastal views, tall rough, undulating fairways and tee shots that will make your heart skip a beat and put your camera to good use.

Located between Muirfield and Archerfield, The Renaissance Club stands alongside both in position as well as quality.

The Renaissance Club is the first Tom Doak design in Scotland and his followers will note his contemporary design at many points. The signature 10^th hole plays as close to the coast as you dare, with the aptly named Fortress of Solitude sitting left of the fairway in the dunes.

It boasts as the current host of the Scottish Open (Ladies and Gents), with the scoring varying drastically dependant on the wind and weather conditions. The 2020 winners were America’s Stacey Lewis and England’s Aaron Rai. 

Distance From Course: 19 miles

One of the newest and most exciting golf course projects in Scotland, Dumbarnie Links opened in Spring of 2020 and is already quickly becoming a must play golf course as part of your golf break in St Andrews alongside Kingsbarns and the famous Old Course itself.

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Distance From Course: 9 miles

One of the oldest and most traditional links golf experiences in Scotland with golf being touted to have played along the famous dunes since 1846!

The golf course has and continues to host some of the game’s biggest tournaments including Open Championship qualifying and Scottish Team Matchplay.

Leven Links is a true links golf experience with lots of humps and bumps and fescue to contend with, meaning a sharp short game and inventive shot making being required to navigate this famous old links.

Distance From Course: 13 miles

A golf course that needs little by way of introduction, the famous Old Course in St Andrews is at the top of just about every golfer’s golf course ‘bucket list’ Relive your favourite Open moments and create unforgettable memories as you follow in the footsteps of the game’s greatest moments.

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Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 3 miles

Considered to the toughest golf course of the seven links courses in St Andrews, the Jubilee has an interesting history – it was originally developed as a beginner’s course and to be used by ladies. In 1988, the course was re-designed as a championship golf course and a great addition to the St Andrews Links experience.

Wedged in between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee Course has some great camera worthy holes and is must play as part of your St Andrews experience. 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 3 miles

A gentler golfing experience, the Eden Course stretches out to 6250 yards, par 70. It is an enjoyable golf course with some great holes running alongside the water and estuary with some crisscrossing between holes adding to the traditional design features – the golf course was built in 1914.

We temper the “gentler” experience tag with the weather conditions on the day. The Eden course is more exposed to the elements and can be a real challenge when the wind blows! It is also wise to stay away from the bunkers, there are some really penalizing bunkers around the Eden which could spoil a scorecard or two!

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 4 miles

A true and proper links course, Panmure Golf Club is an absolute gem and a must play for those who visit the area – or worth a trip just to play Panmure. It really is that good. A layout designed by 3 of the most famous names in golf; James Braid, Old Tom Morris and Ben Hogan – they definitely got it right. The toughest hole on Panmure is named after Hogan – a 414 yard par 4 makes the 6^th hole a test of your golfing abilities.

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Distance From Course: 12 miles

36 holes of golfing brilliance, Monifieth Golf Links has 2 exquisite 18 hole layouts – the Medal course and the Ashludie. And you definitely need to play both of them on your visit to the area.

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Distance From Course: 12 miles