Crail Golfing Society pro shop memorabilia collection

[Sean25rp]

we would like to get one more round in on the Monday before we leave. We are discussing Crail, Leven, Lundin or Elie. Which would you play and why?

Thanks.

 

That is a really hard question to answer. I'll start by saying you won't go wrong by playing any of those. Lundin and Leven each have several holes that are not links. The two clubs used to have a single course, each having its own clubhouse at opposite ends. The original 18 are all true links laid out by James Braid. Eventually it got too crowded for both clubs to share, so each club retained 9 holes from the original layout and each built 9 new holes inland from the originals. The inland holes are more parkland than links, and are on higher ground that provides great views across the Firth of Forth. Lundin also has an uphill par 3 and a drop shot par 3 among the 9 newer holes. In the photo below of Lundin #14, the holes on the left side of the Wall are Lundin; the holes on the other side of the wall are Leven.

 

The first 14 holes at Crail are true links and offer some super views of the sea and a lot of elevation change for a links. The last 4 holes are on the opposite side of the clubhouse and are okay, but not spectacular. Elie is a quirky layout. It has 16 par 4's, 2 par 3's and no par 5's. The first hole is famous for its blind tee shot and the submarine periscope that is used to see when the group in front of you is out of reach. Elie has a mix of links and heathland holes. My recollection is the Elie is more expensive than the other 3. I think it is more foregiving than Lundin, but maybe that's because the wind was howling a lot more when I played Lundin and I wasn't hitting the ball very w;ll that day

 

https://www.flickr.c...57633543327285/ Lundin photo tour

 

https://www.flickr.c...57633724457979/ Crail - Balcomie photo tour

 

 

http://www.golfcluba...e&topic=50582.0 Elie photo tour

 

 

P1010582 - Crail Balcomie #6 and #5 from 7th tee r

 

P1010759 - Lundin GC #14 downhill par 3 r

 

P1010776 - Golf House Club - Elie - the famous Periscope for the starter to see if 1st fairway is clear r

 

Thanks very much for this Sabram. We had a feeling we couldn't go wrong with any of these choices. Will be showing your photo tours to the group and we'll probably make our decision based on which one we like the look of most!

 

Cheers.

[thecraw]

I'll through another one into the mix that really is worth playing.

http://www.ladybankgolf.co.uk/

[imakaveli]

[quote name='Sean25rp' timestamp='1401535997' post='9401671']
So we are heading up for the Ryder Cup and will be staying in Inverforth. We have 4 rounds booked on the St Andrews courses with the unlimited pass.

However, we would like to get one more round in on the Monday before we leave. We are discussing Crail, Leven, Lundin or Elie. Which would you play and why?

Thanks.
[/quote]

I have played Lundin, Leven and Crail.
Leven is the less scenic of the 3, and quite tough, the 18 is a beast!
Lundin is tough as well, I think more or less like Leven, but very scenic, a joy to play
Crai I think is easier, you can bomb the drive on the right or left and is not as penalizing as the previous ones. Of course go to the pro shop, talk with the guy and see his collection, he is such a classy person!
So imho, if you want to enjoy your golf play Crail, if you want more of a test play Lundin

[Sean25rp]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Any other opinions?

Cheers.