Crail

Crail Golfing Society dates back to 1786, when a group of eleven gentlemen 'fond of the diversion of golf' founded the society. However, there is evidence that golf was played in Crail long before 1786. The Royal burgh dates back to the 8th century, while the name Crail is derived from Pictish times and means fort and rock. The Crail Golfing Society boasts two courses, Balcomie Links and Craighead Links. The two courses offer spectacular coastal views of the Forth and Tay estuaries.

As you enter the clubhouse, the trophy cabinet is full of historic trophies, cleeks, niblicks, lofters and Sabbath sticks. The trophies represent championships that date back hundreds of years. Like many of the early links courses in Scotland, Old Tom Morris played his part in shaping the club. Old Tom laid out the first nine holes in 1895 and extended the course to eighteen holes in 1900.

Balcomie Links, the original course, is a Par 69 and now plays to 5,964 yards. This is by no means the longest of courses, however it poses many challenges. There are several holes which bring you into contact with Crail’s rugged and rocky coastline. The wonderfully named 4th “Fluke Dub”, at 354 yards in length, requires an accurate shot across the scenic bay. This is merely a warm up for “Hells hole”, the 447 yard 5th, which is aptly named and is a stroke index one for good reason. Whilst making your way through the golfing equivalent of Dante’s Inferno you may be met by wind, water, gorse and bunkers, all of which can torment golfers of any standard and lead to wailing, self deprecation and much blasphemy. The hope when your ball hits the bottom of the cup is that your card is intact and ye are not damned for the remaining holes. This wonderful links course provides a stern test of golf, with every hole providing picture perfect views.

Craighead Links, the new course, is a Par 72 playing at 6,728 yards from the championship tees. The course opened in 1988 and was designed by the acclaimed American architect Gil Hanse. As a modern links it is longer than the original course. The course incorporates historical features such as a defensive wall constructed by the Vikings, and is protected by undulating tricky greens, signature pot bunkers and sloping fairways. The course is at one with its clifftop environment, its links terrain and its ancient walls. The expertly placed tee boxes, and course design, provide golfers of all levels with the opportunity to play spectacular holes, while being surrounded by breath-taking coastal views.

Across the two courses, there are many distinctive features which contribute to the design, feel and character of the Crail experience. "The Danes Dike", a twelve-hundred-year-old defensive wall built by Viking marauders to keep out the local Picts. "The King's Cave", where local tradition has it that Constantine II, King of Alba (903-943) was killed, in or around the cave, during a battle with the Danes. And, The Lifeboat Shed, a unique stone building, from where in 1884 the Crail Lifeboat began operating, and which still stands proudly today at the back of the 14th green, while casting a shadow over the 2nd tee box of the Balcomie Links, all add to the sense that you are in a golfing wonderland, steeped in history.

Accommodation: We partner with a number of hotels across Fife, such as the Fairmont in St Andrews and The Bank in Anstruther. Our letting agency partner in the region is Premier Stays Fife. With accommodation options situated across St Andrews & Fife, we have access to their range of luxury lodges and holiday cottages. All of their properties can be rented for holidays or used as a short stay base, whilst you visit and enjoy the golf in St Andrews & the Kingdom of Fife. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge with a hot tub, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you. 

 

Featured deal: Pick 'n' Mix, Fife

 

Typical packages include:

• Golf at Crail Balcomie & Craighead Links and other venues of your choice
• 5 star Accommodation at the Fairmont
• Complimentary use of the Crail Golfing Society facilities and Clubhouse

 

Packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include additional courses in St Andrews, Fife, and or other regions within Scotland.

 

Additional services:

• Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
• Executive travel

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