Classic quirky links · Fife

The Golf House Club, Elie

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

About the course

The Golf House Club, Elie, is a par-70 links in the East Neuk of Fife, on the Firth of Forth about 12 miles from St Andrews. It measures 6,273 yds from the White tees, and the club says it rewards imagination, patience and precision far more than power.

From the White tees there are no par 5s: sixteen par 4s and two par 3s. The round starts with a blind drive over a hill, played beside the starter's hut and its submarine periscope, salvaged from HMS Excalibur in 1966, which the starter still uses to check the fairway is clear. The 3rd, a par 3 of 214 yds, plays from a raised tee with views across the Firth of Forth, and needs anything from a mid-iron to a driver depending on the wind. At the 13th the approach must carry all the way to a wide, shallow green under steep cliffs. James Braid called it "the finest in all the country."

Golf has been played on these links since at least the 1500s, and Royal Charters from 1589 confirm the right to play here. The Golf House Club was founded in 1875 and took ownership of the links in 1974. Braid was born in neighboring Earlsferry in 1870, learned the game at Elie, and won five Open Championships between 1901 and 1910.

At just over 6,200 yds, Elie is short by championship standards, but the coastal wind, firm greens and revetted bunkers keep it a real test. It suits golfers who want a classic, quirky links and a relaxed round between the bigger names around St Andrews.

Can we play it?

Yes, most of the year, in two daily visitor windows (11:00–12:30 and 14:30–16:00). The exception: mid-July to mid-August is members and guests only. Add it to your trip and Scotland Golf Tours requests the tee time for you.

• Access

  Visitor tee times daily 11:00–12:30 and 14:30–16:00, subject to daylight and club competitions. No visitor times mid-July to mid-August.

• The catch

  The summer blackout: no visitors from mid-July to mid-August, right when many trips (and The Open, 11–18 July 2027) happen.

• Our tip

  Plan Elie for May, June or early July, and play it with Dumbarnie, 7 minutes away. Look for the submarine periscope on the starter's hut.

Course type

Links

Visitor days

Daily, 11:00–12:30 and 14:30–16:00; none mid-July to mid-August

Handicap limit

No limit or certificate stated; golfers with good etiquette and pace are welcome

Green fee

$120–$265£90–£200 · 2026/2027 · checked 15 Oct 2026

Rates

2026/2027 adult rates: £90 low (Nov–Mar), £165 shoulder (April and October), £200 high (May–Sep). Junior £45/£82.50/£100. Weekly ticket £300/£500/£600 (subject to availability). Open week price on application.

How to book

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

Caddies

No club caddie service mentioned; the club says visitors are welcome to bring their own caddie.

Buggies and trolleys

Pull trolleys for hire at the Starter’s Office. A few ride-on buggies for golfers who couldn’t otherwise play; reserve ahead (driving licence and disclaimer needed).

Check-in

Starter's Office beside the 1st tee. How early is not stated.

Nearest airport

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) · about 1 h 05 min

How to get a tee time

Put Golf House Club, Elie in your trip and the specialists handle the booking.

Build a trip around Golf House Club, Elie

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

• The Golf House Club, Elie · you’re herein your trip
• +Dumbarnie Golf Links7 min
• +Crail Golfing Society, Balcomie Links23 min
• +The Old Course, St Andrews28 min

2027 dates to know

• no visitor tee times (members and guests only; exact dates not published).Mid-Jul to mid-Aug 2027
• The Open at St Andrews; Elie lists Open week as 'POA'.11–18 Jul 2027

FAQ

Can visitors play Elie?

Yes, daily in two windows (11:00–12:30 and 14:30–16:00), except mid-July to mid-August.

Can you book Golf House Club, Elie for us?

Yes. Build your trip with Golf House Club, Elie 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 Golf House Club, Elie is one of several courses on your trip, it’s simpler to plan the whole trip in one go.

Do we need a handicap?

No limit or certificate is stated; the club asks for good etiquette and pace.

What's the dress code?

Traditional: tailored golf clothes, collared shirts tucked in, long socks preferred with shorts. No denim, trainers, sports shirts or cargo.

Are there caddies?

The club doesn't offer a caddie service, but you can bring your own.

Can we play during The Open in 2027?

Open week is price on application, but mid-July to mid-August is normally members only. Don't plan around it until it's confirmed.

1. 1. The Golf House Club, Elie: Visitor welcome15 Oct 2026
2. 2. The Golf House Club, Elie: Green fees 2026/202715 Oct 2026
3. 3. The Golf House Club, Elie: Visitor information (PDF)15 Oct 2026
4. 4. The Golf House Club, Elie: Course overview15 Oct 2026
5. 5. The Golf House Club, Elie: Book a tee time15 Oct 2026
6. 6. Quote: Peter Thomson, five-time Open champion15 Oct 2026

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