Course: Crail Golf, Crail

As home to several of the worlds oldest golf clubs and courses, Scotland offers a deep look into the history of the game. One such course is the Balcomie track at Crail Golf Society the 7th oldest golf club in the world. Starting with just 11 local golfers the Crail Golf Society was founded in 1786 and was originally located Sauchope, just outside the fishing village of Crail. Old Tom Morris re-designed the 9-hole layout originally designed by an unnamed local farmer and the course at Balcomie was born in 1894.

Old Tom Morris returned in 1898 to add another 9-holes to the original layout taking the length to 5,922 yards. Playing for a par of 69, Crail is not exactly a championship course, but testing nevertheless. The opening nine holes are stitched firmly to the shoreline and make for a pleasing yet challenging game. The back nine lies on solid, inland ground but again doesnt let you off without a fight. The champion is the closing hole which leads you back to the sea shore and tests your golfing skills to their limits.

The outward nine is home to two successive par fours – the 4th and the 459 yard 5th, aptly named “Hells Hole”. An inaccurate shot could take you to the beach which was considered under threat during the First World War and consequently requisitioned for military use. The winds from the sea can wreak havoc and it pays to be thoughtful at this hole.

Although the back nine measures a mere 3000 yards, it offers a fine set of short holes comparable to the best. The 13th hole and the par three 14th are significant due to the challenge they pose to a golfers dexterity. The course is impeccably maintained with a solid terrain and fast, true-links greens. A pleasure to play on, the Balcomie at Crail is a fairly good test of a golfers skills. Though not too long, Crail offers a tough challenge on a track that has been played on since 1650.