Balcomie Links

A combination of stunning coastal views, centuries of history and hugely enjoyable golf is what makes Balcomie Links one of Scotland’s most finely polished, golfing gems.

This traditional, classic links course was laid out by the old master himself, Tom Morris, and opened in 1895. Created in the days when course design was governed by the natural lie of the land and not the mechanical earth mover, Balcomie has the unusual combination of three par fives, six par threes and nine par fours, producing a tough par of 69. Extraordinary holes abound, along with those which seriously challenge and those which are more comfortable. The sum total is a layout which both enchants and delights, but which also demands and punishes, testing all the skills in a golfer’s armoury – as well as his nerve. Those length seekers who believe Balcomie will be a soft touch, do so at their peril.

Not content with a devilishly testing layout, Old Tom designed the course in such a way as to take maximum advantage of its exhilarating seaside location. Shots over rocky bays, long par threes with greens perched on top of vertical cliffs, shots to greens seemingly engulfed by gorse, curving par fours round sandy strands - daring the golfer to cut off too much, shots from cliff tops to greens and fairways invitingly laid out below: all these and more make up the Balcomie experience.

The many memorable holes include the first, which sets the tone for the enjoyment to come with an opening drive from the cliff top to the welcoming fairway below. This is followed by a pitch over a bunker and a turf wall to a blind green with bunkers either side, and a burn beyond. The ferociously challenging fifth, a 447 yard par four, is appropriately named Hell’s hole, a name approved by Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, who added that it was probably the hardest par four in Scotland. It provides the golfer with the classic dilemma of risk and reward: succeed in cutting off much of the out of bounds rocky bay on the right and the green is in reach, or play safe and accept that a third shot to the green is inevitable.

With the wind a constant and ever-changing feature, the challenge is enhanced at many of the holes, but perhaps none more so than at the extraordinary 13th. A longish par three at 210 yards, it is played up and over a vertical cliff to an invisible, viciously sloping green and, more often than not, the wind is an added hindrance. This supremely challenging hole was made famous in Michael Murphy’s seminal book ‘Golf in the Kingdom’. It is followed by another par three which is one of Scottish golf’s most scenic holes. The 14th is played from the top of the cliff to a green far below surrounded by bunkers, with an out of bounds beach to the right and fronted by an enormous sleeper-faced bunker. The golfer’s difficulty at this hole is to pause long enough from admiring the view to concentrate on the demanding short iron shot that is required.

A round at Balcomie is always one to savour and will provide happy memories for many years to come.

Craighead Links

With spectacular views - the sea is visible from every hole - Craighead Links achieved fame in the 2001 Guiness Book of Records for the most nationalities playing in an international tournament.

This challenging, cliff-top course was designed by world-renowned, golf course architect Gil Hanse to provide golfing aficionados with a true test of their shotmaking skills in a links environment.

Built in the style of a traditional links course - with no trees protecting golf shots from the wind - Craighead provides panoramic views of up to 100 miles, legally protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest flanking the 13th and 14th holes, and a World War I pill box behind the 7th green, all in addition to serious golf.

Featuring ‘Danes Dyke’ - a 1200 year old defensive wall built by Viking marauders to keep out the local Pictish tribes and which comes into play on four holes - Craighead Links was opened in 1998 and achieved almost immediate recognition when the R&A held the World Junior Open there in 2000. The recognition of its quality has continued, with both the Scotland v. Spain International hosted there in 2006 and in 2010 the Senior Home Internationals due to be held.

Four sets of tees – red, blue, yellow and white – provide lengths between 5,340 and 6,722 yards, and pars of 74 (red), 69 (blue) and 72 (yellow and white). With no two consecutive holes facing in the same direction, managing the wind is a significant factor in playing the course. A real puzzler arrives early in the shape of the 2nd hole, a right angle 364 yard dogleg, with a wickedly sloping green and deep bunkers. This hole played the hardest in the international tournaments held on the course.

As Gil Hanse’s first course outside the USA, Craighead Links provides a contrast to Balcomie, but with many natural similarities. The combined ticket giving play on both courses is the ideal way to experience the Crail golfing challenge.

Photos

Here are some recent photographs of the courses, the first two are of Balcomie and the rest are of Craighead. Click on any image to view an enlargement in a new window.

Scorecards

The scorecards for the two courses are available as PDF files. Just click on the icons below to view the PDF files, which will appear in a new window or tab.