Crail Golfing Society - Balcomie Links

[Roland]

Course Review - St Andrews on a budget

I've recently returned from St Andrews trip where a fair few of us took in 3 local courses. We hold a UK Forum Open Championship every year and this year, St Andrews was the Place to go. Coaxing 30 odd golfers to come to one place is never Easy and budget was a definate factor. We played the Open on the St Andrews Eden course which was just over £40 ($65?). A great day out and we were blessed by the weather (for the most part). I'd highly recommend to anyone all the courses we played (Crail, Eden & Fairmont Torrance) For all those making the pilgrimage, please look at the lesser courses. As you will see, they are very good! And also very reasonable.

So the day we flew up, Crail beckoned in the Afternoon. One of two courses. The Balcomie was Designed by Tom Morris. Good Start!

Club website here: http://www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk/

More info and reviews here: http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=163

Greenfee of £57 ($95?) seemed good value when the car park greeted you with this:



And the view from the clubhouse greeted you with this:



After a light snack (mmmm Lorne Sausage roll!) And a few swipes on the Range, we were ready to go. Weather was fair, no rain but a wind of about 15-20mph (local light breeze!). This was blowing out to sea, Something I had'nt expected.

I'll let the pictures do the talking but just a couple of things:

The Green undulations were incredible! Not picked up too much by my camera phone. Some subtle, some huge.

The sweeping coastal holes (4 & 5) were great to look at but very difficult. 5 played nearly 475 par 4. Driver 3 wood didn't get me there (even after depositing one on the beach!)

Even the holes that didn't hug the coast were interesting and challenging.

Excuse the playing partners in some of the shots!

All In all a wonderful a golf course and brilliant value. I'd urge anyone going up there to try and play it. A warm welcome from the club topped the day off for me.

Enjoy the pictures

[sabram]

Fun trip. Nice report!

[Asleep]

Nice post/pics.

We were just playing Kingsbarns when a member of our group asked his caddie, "What is that big building out there in the distance?"

"Why, that's Sean Connery's summer house" caddie replied.

It was the Crail Golf Society clubhouse.

We will play Crail in the future, no doubt.

Played Torrance our last day ... Nice track. Winds were ridiculous for our trip, though -- quite the challenge.

[Roland]

[quote name='Asleep' timestamp='1308431081' post='3317178']
Nice post/pics.

We were just playing Kingsbarns when a member of our group asked his caddie, "What is that big building out there in the distance?"

"Why, that's Sean Connery's summer house" caddie replied.

It was the Crail Golf Society clubhouse.

We will play Crail in the future, no doubt.

Played Torrance our last day ... Nice track. Winds were ridiculous for our trip, though -- quite the challenge.
[/quote]


I'd say there are better golf courses than Crail in the area. If you are making the long pilgrimage across the water that is. However the welcome, value for money and the coastal holes really made it special for me (not forgetting the weather!)

I was told that Levin was brilliant. Some of the guys played in their open (I couldn't as I'm a pro). Although the weather was horrid, the course was not.

Overall I just love playing in Scottish links.

My nearest links are St Georges, Deal and princes. All brilliant places but overpriced in comparison

[stevek1969]

[quote name='Roland ' timestamp='1309097104' post='3336305']
[quote name='Asleep' timestamp='1308431081' post='3317178']
Nice post/pics.

We were just playing Kingsbarns when a member of our group asked his caddie, "What is that big building out there in the distance?"

"Why, that's Sean Connery's summer house" caddie replied.

It was the Crail Golf Society clubhouse.

We will play Crail in the future, no doubt.

Played Torrance our last day ... Nice track. Winds were ridiculous for our trip, though -- quite the challenge.
[/quote]


should have played scotscraig which is the 13th oldest course in the world a 10 minute drive from st andrews ,also my home course ,check out the link.

www.scotscraig.com


I'd say there are better golf courses than Crail in the area. If you are making the long pilgrimage across the water that is. However the welcome, value for money and the coastal holes really made it special for me (not forgetting the weather!)

I was told that Levin was brilliant. Some of the guys played in their open (I couldn't as I'm a pro). Although the weather was horrid, the course was not.

Overall I just love playing in Scottish links.

My nearest links are St Georges, Deal and princes. All brilliant places but overpriced in comparison
[/quote]