Region: Fife & Angus, Scotland | Best Time: May–September | Nearest Airport: Edinburgh (EDI) — 1h 15m; Dundee (DND) — 30 mins
Editor’s Note: St Andrews is where the game was born, where the rules were written, and where every serious golfer must stand at least once. But the Kingdom of Fife extends far beyond the Old Course — Kingsbarns delivers the most dramatic links opening since Pebble Beach was built; Carnoustie across the Tay estuary is the hardest Open venue; Crail Balcomie offers Old Tom Morris at his most natural. This is golf at its most historically profound.
The 5 Courses to Play
1. St Andrews — The Old Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Nature, shaped by Tom Morris Sr. | Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,305 yards | Rating: 75.7 / 145
- Why Play It: Ranked #2 in The Global Golfer Top 100. The Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole, the Valley of Sin — every golfer’s pilgrimage. Book the ballot at least 6 months ahead. Read our full course review →
- Book: standrews.com
2. Kingsbarns Golf Links ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Kyle Phillips (2000) | Par/Yardage: 72 / 6,995 yards | Rating: 74.5 / 140
- Why Play It: The finest new links built in Scotland in 100 years. Eleven holes have direct North Sea views; the par-3 15th plays over a rocky bay. Kyle Phillips created a course that feels ancient despite being 25 years old — the highest compliment in links design. Open to visitors year-round with advance booking.
- Book: kingsbarns.com
3. Carnoustie Golf Links — Championship Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Tom Morris Sr., extended James Braid | Par/Yardage: 71 / 7,421 yards | Rating: 76.8 / 147
- Why Play It: The hardest course in Open Championship rotation — “Carnoustie” has broken legends. The Barry Burn winds through the final three holes creating the most pressure-filled finish in links golf. Open to public visitors every day via advance booking — extraordinary value for a course of this stature.
- Book: carnoustiegolflinks.com
4. Crail Golfing Society — Balcomie Links ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Tom Morris Sr. (1895) | Par/Yardage: 69 / 5,922 yards
- Why Play It: The most characterful course in Fife — an intimate seaside links on the Fife Ness headland, established in 1786 (making it the 7th oldest club in the world). The opening holes along the rocky shoreline with views to the Bass Rock are among the most visually arresting in Scottish golf. A genuine hidden gem.
- Book: crailgolfingsociety.co.uk
5. St Andrews — New Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Tom Morris Sr. & David Honeyman (1895) | Par/Yardage: 71 / 6,625 yards
- Why Play It: The “New” Course is 130 years old — yet dramatically overshadowed by its famous neighbour. A superb links in its own right, sharing the Links Trust’s immaculate conditioning, open to visitors with far greater availability than the Old Course and at a significantly lower green fee. The ideal warm-up or wind-down round.
- Book: standrews.com
Where to Stay
- The Old Course Hotel (5★): Golf’s most famous address. Bay windows overlooking the 17th Road Hole. The Road Hole Restaurant. Check availability on Expedia →
- The Rusacks Hotel (5★): Perched directly above the 18th green — watch play from your room. Recently restored to five-star standard.
- Fairmont St Andrews (5★): Two miles from the Old Course — cliff-top resort with its own championship Torrance and Kittocks courses, spa and pool. Best choice for families and non-golfing partners.
- Rufflets Hotel (4★): A charming country house 2 miles from the Old Course. The most personal hotel experience in St Andrews and exceptional value.
Practical Information
- Getting There: Edinburgh (EDI) — 1h 15m by car via A91. Train to Leuchars (30 mins from Edinburgh), then taxi (15 mins). Dundee Airport serves regional flights.
- Old Course Ballot: Apply online by midnight the day before — results at 4pm the same day. Success rate in summer is 15–25%. Package bookings guarantee access for a premium.
- Best Time: May–September for the best weather and firmest links conditions. The Links Trust operates year-round; winter golf on the Old Course has its own extraordinary character.
- Combine With: Dundee’s V&A Design Museum (15 mins from Carnoustie) and the distilleries of Speyside (2 hours north) make Fife an ideal golf-culture trip.