Historic clifftop links · Fife

Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie Links

Crail, Fife, Scotland · Area: St Andrews, Fife & Angus

About the course

Crail Golfing Society's Balcomie Links is a par-69 links on Fife Ness, the eastern tip of Fife, about two miles from the fishing town of Crail and 10 miles from St Andrews. It is short at 5,861 yds, with six par 3s, three par 5s and nine par 4s.

Seven holes run beside the North Sea, and the wind reaches all 18. The 1st, Boathouse, is named for the old lifeboat shed, built in 1884, that still stands by the course. The 5th, Hell's Hole, is a 447-yd par 4 along the sea edge and the hardest hole on the card. The 12th is a three-shot par 5 with a winding burn about 90 yds short of the green. The 14th, The Cave, is a short par 3 from a tee high above the beach to a tiered green, and it's the most photographed hole on the course. Four of the last six holes are par 3s, including the long uphill 13th and the 18th, a 205-yd finish.

The Society was founded on 23 February 1786, when eleven gentlemen met at the Golf Inn in Crail. The club says only six golf clubs in the world are older, and it holds a complete set of minutes from that first meeting. A trophy was played for on Balcomie in 1857. Old Tom Morris laid out nine holes there, opened in 1895, and the course reached 18 holes in 1900. The club's second course, Craighead, was designed by Gil Hanse and opened in 1998.

Balcomie is mainly a walking course. Its length won't scare anyone, but the wind and the par 3s keep it a real test. It suits a group that wants history, sea views and a relaxed, fun round, and it sits about 13 minutes from Kingsbarns.

Can we play it?

Yes. Crail Golfing Society, founded in 1786, welcomes visitors all year on the Balcomie Links, laid out by Old Tom Morris. Add it to your trip and Scotland Golf Tours requests the tee time for you.

• Access

  Visitors year-round; the summer rate applies May to September and a winter rate October to March.

• The catch

  Tight cancellation terms (nothing back inside 7 days), and Open week (12–19 July 2027) bookings are fully non-refundable.

• Our tip

  Take a member caddie: at Crail every caddie is a club member. It's 13 minutes from Kingsbarns, so the two make an easy East Neuk day.

Course type

Links (seaside, shoreline)

Visitor days

Year-round, daily (no visitor-day limits published)

Handicap limit

Not published by the club

Green fee

$120–$240£90–£180 · 2027 · checked 15 Oct 2026

Rates

2027 Balcomie: £180 (1 May–30 Sep 2027), £120 (April 2027), £90 (Oct–Mar). Day ticket Balcomie + Craighead £240 (May–Sep) / £160 (Apr). Juniors (17 and under) £60, max 2 per round.

How to book

With your trip: Scotland Golf Tours requests it for youThe club also takes bookings direct

Caddies

2027: single caddie £80 ($105) plus gratuity (expected from about £20); forecaddie fixed £150 for 2, £180 for 3, £200 for 4 golfers, no gratuity. Cash in sterling (club says $200 is acceptable for a single caddie if you have no sterling). All caddies are club members.

Buggies and trolleys

Primarily walking courses. Buggies (medical certificate/Blue Badge, or golfers 70+) £45, request in advance. Power trolleys £22/round (£35/day), push trolleys £6, Titleist club hire £49/round.

Check-in

Pro Shop, at least 20 minutes before your tee time (30 minutes during Open week 2027).

Nearest airport

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) · about 1 h 20 min

How to get a tee time

Put Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie in your trip and the specialists handle the booking.

Build a trip around Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie

Other courses on our list nearby. Drive times are best case, without traffic. Add the ones you like and we’ll plan the route.

• Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie Links · you’re herein your trip
• +Kingsbarns Golf Links13 min
• +Elie Golf House Club23 min
• +The Old Course, St Andrews28 min

2027 dates to know

• Open Championship Week special booking conditions (non-refundable, extended tee sheet 06:30–18:30, no concessionary rates, report 30 min early).12–19 Jul 2027

FAQ

Can visitors play Balcomie?

Yes, all year.

Can you book Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie for us?

Yes. Build your trip with Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie in it and Scotland Golf Tours requests the tee time and sends a final quotation. Nothing is booked until you confirm.

Can we book it ourselves?

Yes, directly with the club. If Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie is one of several courses on your trip, it’s simpler to plan the whole trip in one go.

Do we need a handicap?

The club's terms and visitor pages don't state a limit or certificate rule. Ask with your tee-time request.

What's the dress code?

Relaxed: shorts are fine. No replica sports shirts, beachwear or sleeveless athletic tops; remove headwear in the clubhouse.

Can we get a caddie?

Yes, member caddies at £80 ($105) plus gratuity, or a fixed-fee forecaddie for the group. Request early.

What about Open week 2027?

From 12 to 19 July 2027 Balcomie runs tee times 06:30–18:30, bookings are non-refundable, and resident/discount rates don't apply.

1. 1. Crail Golfing Society: 2027 green fees and hire rates15 Oct 2026
2. 2. Crail Golfing Society: Balcomie Links15 Oct 2026
3. 3. Crail Golfing Society: Caddies15 Oct 2026
4. 4. Crail Golfing Society: 2027 visitor terms & conditions15 Oct 2026
5. 5. Crail Golfing Society: Open Championship Week 2027 terms15 Oct 2026
6. 6. Crail Golfing Society: What to wear15 Oct 2026
7. 7. Crail Golfing Society: Where to stay15 Oct 2026
8. 8. Quote: Today's Golfer, Best Golf Courses in Fife, 202515 Oct 2026

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