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Scotland Is The Home Of Golf

Close To St Andrews Courses In The East Neuk Provide Fine Links Golf

Sep 4, 2008 David Smith

The home of golf is St Andrews in the Scottish Kingdom of Fife. The Coastal area of Fife provides the ideal conditions for Links Golf for golfers from around the world.

The sheltered coastline of the East Neuk over looking the Firth of Forth has many fine golf courses providing challenging links golf in a historical setting.

The Crail Golfing Society

Eleven miles south of the old course at St Andrews, but still in the Kingdom of Fife, is the headquarters of the Crail Golfing Society. Founded in the 18th century it is the seventh oldest golf club in the world. The Golf Hotel is where the members used to meet to eat, and if records are correct, drink after the game. Here you can play in a marathon 54 holes in one day competition. Would this be a case of the last golfer standing perhaps?

The Two Courses at Lundin Links

As you would expect from a place with links in its name Lundin links has two clubs. Lundin Golf Clubs course was finalized in 1908 by James Braid the five times winner of the open golf championship and as David Bryce said in Golf International "is not a walk in the Park" and guaranteed to remind you golf "remains a game to be enjoyed." The course is often used as a qualifying course for the open championship. Conveniently, the first tee is by the backdoor of the Old Manor Hotel.

The Lundin Ladies Club

In spite of its name the Lundin Links Ladies Club welcomes players of both sexes. It aims to offer a competitive test for players of all abilities. An unusual hazard are the three ancient standing stones. Locals may tell you many theories about their original purpose but they were certainly not placed there as a golf hazard.

Golf at Elie over looking the Firth of Forth

Elie's golf course may be a youngster; only dating back to a royal charter granted in 1589 but is still a challenging 6273 yards. The course is set close to the Firth of Forth so you can keep one eye on the weather rolling in from the west across the Forth. Or if your game is not going well you can watch out for seals from the 17th hole. The Fife Coastal Path passes by here. This path was regarded as the best coastal path by The Guardian newspaper.

Elie was the home of James Braid and a plaque to his achievement can be found in Earlsferry High Street. It reads “He had many opponents but no enemies,” Quite an epitaph. The war memorial in the High Street at Elie is unusual in telling us the occupation of those who died. It serves as a poignant reminder of golf's place in the history of East Neuk. It lists a golf professional and two club makers who died for King and country.

All the golf clubs mentioned here welcome visitors and can be contacted on the following telephone numbers for up to date green fees and playing times.

Crail Golfing Society: 44 (0) 1333 450686

Ludin Links Golf Club: 44 (0) 1333 320202

Ludin Links the Ladies Golf Club: 44 (0) 1333 302832

Ely Golf Club: 44 (0) 1333 330301

The copyright of the article Scotland Is The Home Of Golf in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by David Smith. Permission to republish Scotland Is The Home Of Golf in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Elie from the Golf Course