Balcomie Links, Crail Golfing Society

The course and its character

Crail Golfing Society was founded on 23 February 1786; only six golf clubs in the world are older, and it holds a complete set of minutes from its first meeting. Golf is first recorded on Balcomie in 1857. Old Tom Morris laid out the first nine holes in 1895 and extended the course to 18 in 1900. The links wraps around the coast with natural hollows, stone walls, shared greens and bunkers faced with old railway sleepers. The opening hole is named after the 1884 lifeboat house that still stands on the course, and the round ends with a par-3 18th. The club's second course, Craighead Links, was designed by Gil Hanse.

Booking and visitor practicalities

Contact the reservations team by phone or email for tee times, and check in at the Pro Shop on arrival. Caddies are club members; forecaddies are available for groups, and requests should be made early as demand is high. Buggies need a disability card, while Titleist hire clubs and trolleys should be pre-booked. The dress code is relaxed but excludes replica sports shirts, beachwear and sleeveless tops, and hats come off in the clubhouse.

Getting there and nearby

The clubhouse is about two miles north-east of Crail at Fife Ness. Reach it via the A917 from St Andrews, heading through the centre of Crail past the old Golf Hotel. Kingsbarns is a short drive back along the coast.

Highlights

• Crail Golfing Society founded in 1786
• Old Tom Morris laid out the course in 1895–1900
• Railway-sleeper bunkers, stone walls and shared greens
• Second course, Craighead Links, by Gil Hanse

Good to know

• Book tee times through the reservations team by phone or email
• Caddies are paid in cash on the day
• Buggies require a disability card
• Hats must be removed in the clubhouse

Frequently asked questions