Fife golf courses

Fife is home to some of the world’s most iconic and historic golf courses, along with some lesser known hidden gems. Here is a selection of golf courses in Fife, Scotland. Each offers a unique challenge to golfers of differing skill levels:

The Old Course

The Old Course in St Andrews is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, with a history spanning over 600 years.

Known for iconic landmarks like the Swilcan Bridge and the Road Hole (17th hole), the Old Course is a must-play golf course in Scotland.

Features: Double greens, deep pot bunkers, and the infamous Hell Bunker.
Notable Tournaments: The Open Championship, held here every five years. Book well in advance to be sure of a tee time at the Old Course.

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Kingsbarns is known for its beautiful seaside views and challenging links layout. This modern course was designed by Kyle Phillips and quickly gained a reputation as one of the best new courses worldwide.

Features: Panoramic coastal views, challenging bunkers, and fairways that seem to melt into the landscape.
Notable Tournaments: Part of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The Castle Course

Opened in 2008, this is one of the newest golf courses in Fife, Scotland. The Castle Course sits on cliffs overlooking St Andrews Bay, providing dramatic scenery and a highly challenging layout.

Features: High, undulating greens, challenging rough, and cliffside holes.
Notable Tournaments: The Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship.

Lundin Golf Club

Established in 1868, Lundin Golf Club is a traditional Scottish golf course with a mix of links and parkland holes. It’s known for its challenging layout, undulating fairways, and stunning coastal views.

Features: Strategic bunkering, narrow fairways, and some challenging par-threes.
Notable Tournaments: The Birkmyre Trophy.

Leven Links

One of Scotland’s oldest golf courses, Leven Links is known for its challenging closing stretch, including the famous 18th hole with a tricky burn (a small stream) in front of the green.

Features: Traditional links design, deep bunkers, and tricky greens.
Notable Tournaments: Regular Open Championship qualifying course.

Scotscraig Golf Club

Scotscraig is the 13th oldest golf club in the world, with a layout that combines elements of links and heathland styles. It’s a classic, testing course with firm fairways and challenging bunkers.

Features: A mix of links and heathland terrain, large greens, and mature trees.
Notable Tournaments: Often serves as a qualifying course for The Open.

Balcomie Links

The Crail Golfing Society is the seventh oldest golf club in the world, and Balcomie Links, designed by Old Tom Morris in 1895, is the highlight. This course is laid out along the coast with expansive sea views and traditional links challenges.

Features: Scenic coastal views, quirky holes with narrow fairways, and small greens.
Notable Tournaments: Hosts regular seniors tournaments.

Elie Golf House Club (Golf Club House)

Elie is known for its unique layout and breathtaking coastal scenery. A round here starts with a periscope view from the starter’s hut, setting the stage for a memorable and unique experience.

Features: Rolling fairways, unpredictable winds, and challenging greens.
Notable Tournaments: The Elie & Earlsferry Links Open Championship often features young golfers to keep an eye on.

Fife’s courses vary from the historic to the modern, offering a combination of breathtaking scenery, challenging links layouts, and a touch of golf history that’s unmatched anywhere else in the world.

The range of must-play golf courses in Scotland makes it a Mecca for the golfer.

At Hawkswood Country Estate, we host regular golf tours and our golf concierge service can help your golf vacation run smoothly.