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4.2
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
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2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.4
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.7
Amenities
3.9
86.7%
Recommend this course
13 out of 15 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type
Style Links
Par 69
Length 5861 yards
Slope 132
Rating 73.4

Crail Golf Society boasts two traditional links courses. The club, which was founded in 1786, is the seventh oldest golf club in the world. The golf courses share stunning coastal views and a rich history. The master of golf himself, Tom Morris, laid out the Balcomie Links, the older of the two courses. Morris was not content with just a traditional links layout, he utilized to full advantage the dramatic seaside landscape. The golf course features several tricky shots over rocky bays and long par 3s that play to greens perched atop steep cliffs. The course has a memorable opening hole that plays from on top of a cliff down to an inviting fairway. This leads to a pitch over a bunker and a turf wall to a blind green that is flanked on both sides by bunkers as well as a burn.

Course Details

Year Built 1895
Golf Season Year round
Architect Old Tom Morris (1895)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - £40
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Caddies Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Catering

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Reviews

4.2
15 Reviews (15)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 310
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Everyday links experience awaits

Your experience at Crail (Balcomie Links) largely will depend on your expectation.

You will get the same stunning coastal views that you get just down the coastline at Kingsbarns, but not the conditioning. You will get the centuries-old history like you do a couple of miles back in town at the Old Course at St. Andrews, but not the experience.

If you want an everyday, meat-and-potatoes, townie links experience, Crail will be to order. I believe that courses like Crail, Brora and Western Gailes are the glue that holds Scottish links itineraries together. This is the essence of golf in Scotland. We decided to forego caddies, carried our own bags and were invited to play with a member and his son while on the putting green, which moved our tee time up half an hour.

This was the round - one of 13 total - that we experienced all four seasons over the course of a round. Started pleasant and warm. Rained four holes in causing a brief delay. Sun came out. Sweater came off. Turned cool again. Sweater back on. Little more rain. Hot again. Sweater off. Wind picked up and turned cool again. Sweater back on!

The course is quirky. Plays to a par of 69 and measures only 5,800 yards. There are three par 5s and six par 3s. The ever-present wind, however, renders the yardage on the scorecard meaningless. The theme of the course is simplicity and true minimalism. There isn’t much rough to speak of. Bunkers are low-slung in the flattish ground and
greens largely follow the cant of the surrounding slopes. Remember, this course was created in the days when course design was governed by the natural lie of the land and not mechanical earth movers.

There are Viking fortifications that run throughout the course. These stone walls provide a nice border to many holes.

Notably, the greens are a little slower than most courses we
played, due to the high winds and exposed sites found here.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Fun course with history

Balcomie comes close to the perfect golf course. Each hole is interesting in its own way. The course rewards good shots and penalizes bad shots. And the views are fantastic. At GBP95 for a full day of golf, playing both Balcomie and Craighead, it's a bargain. If you are choosing between the two courses, Balcomie, to me, is the better choice in almost every respect. We stayed in Crail, so add convenience to the list.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Best Links Course

If you want to play an historic course more interesting than St Andrews and a true links course, Balcomie is he place. Ever time I come to Scotland it is on my list and has not changed over the 25 years since I first played it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/21/2017

Thank you for your kind comment and we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Walked

Curious as to why so much hype.

Having lived for over twenty years within just a few miles of Crail but having never played Balcomie (never felt the desire to be honest as I always believed it to be over-hyped) I succumbed to playing with two friends earlier this month; to be fair we had played all other (proper) Fife courses and despite my protestations I was dragged along to Crail. Weather was breezy and chilly. Crail Golfing Society make a big fuss about their course and a whole historical bit about being one of the oldest clubs although the actual course (as opposed to the 'club') was opened in 1895 so the course (which is what really matters after all) isn't as old as a great many courses. Sure the views are great but I come for the challenge of the course and in this respect I was left as disappointed as I had expected. My wife (with a handicap of +1) had warned me of a likely disappointment such as she had a few years earlier with her shock at such a generous ladies' par of 70 for such a short track. I digress. The front nine can all be seen from the first tee so it is not only a short track but a cramped one with too many simple par 3s and a strange finishing stretch set inland and accessed after a long walk away from the shore. The course would be less used by visitors were it not for being close to St Andrews; I guess Crail makes the most of what it has but it's not bucket-list material and were it located anywhere but close to the Home of Golf then it would struggle to sell tee-times. Overall, it's fine for a short walk for higher handicap players but it's not for the purest nor for the accomplished player: I came away still shaking my head at the over-hyping of Crail.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Some gorgeous views!

This course took us all by surprise. Others have said dont let the yardage fool you and they would be correct. It gets pretty windy so you really have to keep it low and play for position. Most of the holes were quite unique and along the water and hills....though there are a few boring holes that run up and down from each other. Good thing there is that makes the effective fairway like 150 yards wide :D The greens rolled great and were of moderate speed (id say a 9 -10). Fairways were typical links. Overall a very fun course!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

12 handicap 3 over playing here

Basically a gem, don't be fooled by the yardage was blowing a hoolie 3 up/down to play shots 60/70 left/right of greens to approach lightening greens like links golf should be. Coulped with stunning views value for money you won't beat it, friendly staff beautiful modern club house epic views at the 19th hole, add to your list if playing up here you won't be disappointed!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Great Links Course

One of those hidden gems, save yourself 200 GBP and play here instead of Kingsbarns. Classic out and in links, been around forever, great sea views, friendly staff. This place is what links golf is really all about. A pleasant stroll with generous fairways, some quirky holes (#13!). Time well spent at Crail Balcomie

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Walked

Beautiful Old Golf Course

Our 2nd time playing this old track, and 2nd day in a row at Crail Golfing Society. This course has beautiful views of the sea and different parts of the course due to the elevation changes. Not a very long course but it plays every inch and feels like a longer course. Wind off the water is always a factor, and can cause you a lot of problems. I think this is a must play for any golf trip and the course offers a deal if you play both the Balcomie and Craighead courses. They are worth the money!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Another Hidden gem

Great course if you want to get away from the big boys (St. Andrews, Kingsbarns etc.) and pay half the price. Very playable, an easy walk with great views. A true links with dog legs left and right, uphill and downhill shots, strong par 3's. Very friendly staff. Does have some shared fairways so keep an eye out for oncoming golfers. Well worth the drive down from St. Andrews (10 minutes). Highly recommended.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Walked

Great course to start trip on

A wonderful historic golf course. A great place to begin a trip, as the course doesn't beat you up.
The staff was great, from the pro shop, to the caddies, to the bar.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Incredible

My favorite round of my trip. The course, caddy, and staff were great. Even the weather somewhat cooperated. The course itself was challenging, but fun. The views were great, just a beautiful location for a golf course. Could not recommend this course high enough.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very pleasant experience. Good course, relatively easy

Booking arrangements were very efficient. My wife and I were put with two brothers (Ralph and Joe), who were real gentlemen and excellent company. Staff were very friendly. I (handicap 8) found the course fairly easy. My wife (handicap 31) thoroughly enjoyed the course. Great views along the coast, very well presented.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Pure Scottish historical links course

It is a pure, historical links course, one of the oldest in Scotland. Many parallel running holes and sometimes a little difficult to figure out which flag to play to. Nevertheless a worthwhile experience.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

St Andrews Value Golf Package

FROM $327 (USD)
ST. ANDREWS | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at The Albany Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at New Course at St Andrews Links, Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links, Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society, Castle Course at St Andrews Links and Leven Links Golf Course at Leven Links Golf Club.

St Andrews Signature Golf Package

FROM $517 (USD)
ST. ANDREWS | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at The Albany Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at New Course at St Andrews Links, Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links, Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society, Castle Course at St Andrews Links and Leven Links Golf Course at Leven Links Golf Club.

Ireland’s Best of the North West Golf Package

FROM $347 (USD)
NORTHWEST IRELAND | Experience pure, rugged links courses with an authentic slice of Ireland with this package. Slightly off the beaten track, this package combines fantastic golf with incredible scenery and fantastic food that will give you a true taste of Ireland. Play one of Europe’s longest courses at Donegal Golf Club and admire the Atlantic Ocean at Rosses Point – this break is definitely for the more adventurous golfer!

The Complete Scottish Coast to Coast Golf Tour

FROM $577 (USD)
SCOTLAND| Starting on the South West coast, making a stop to experience the iconic home of golf at St Andrews and finishing down in North Berwick, this package is jam packed with three past and present Open Championship courses as well as a few hidden treasures along the way. Staying in 4 and 5* hotels along the way, this tour will offer you unforgettable golf, delicious food and sensational views as well as potentially the chance to play the phenomenal Old Course at St Andrews.

St Andrews, Highlands & Edinburgh Trilogy Tour

FROM $387 (USD)
SCOTLAND| A golf tour that allows you to experience the iconic Home of Golf at St Andrews, the spectacular golf of the Scottish Highlands and the historic city of Edinburgh is certainly not one to miss out on. Spend 4 days in St Andrews and take on the outstanding Old Course, then transfer to the highlands for some spectacular links golf at Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart and finish the tour in Edinburgh with a chance to explore the Scottish Capital.
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