The Rusacks

36 holes of golfing brilliance, Monifieth Golf Club has 2 exquisite 18 hole layouts – the Medal course and the Ashludie. And you definitely need to play both of them on your visit to the area.

 

The Medal course is the traditional layout with the opening holes running alongside the railway making the tee-shot a bit more intimidating. Coupled with the sand dunes on the opposite side and the fairway appears very narrow. Once you manage to get the ball in play, the greens are guarded by bunkers meaning you’ve got to get creative. Turning for home, the par 4’s on the inward 9 are easy on the eye but a little less easy to play. It craves an accurate tee-shot leaving a mid iron into the green. The 18^th is a favourite hole, a par 5 which should present an opportunity for birdie. There is danger but 2 good swings and 2 putts will leave you with a smile on your face.

The Ashludie course is the shorter of the 2 – at 5100 yards it looks easy on the scorecard but with a whipping wind and a series of doglegs, not to mention the brilliant bunkering and testing greens then the course is far from simple. It demands a variety of shots but nonetheless it is fun course to play and enjoy.

If you wish to play 36 holes in the one day, the Monifieth combination is perfect for you!

Distance From Course: 10 miles

One of the newest and most exciting golf course projects in Scotland, Dumbarnie Links opened in Spring of 2020 and is already quickly becoming a must play golf course as part of your golf break in St Andrews alongside Kingsbarns and the famous Old Course itself.

There are few links golf courses worldwide that offer the number of holes running alongside the sea that Dumbarnie does with no less than 14 holes having great views over the Bay and Firth of Forth. With the look of a traditional links at first glance, the design of Dumbarnie allows for the golf course to be set up to play at over 7500 yards from the championship tees! There are a lot of risk and reward holes along with 3 drive-able par 4’s to tempt the lower handicappers or bigger hitters!

 You will not regret your choice to play at Dumbarnie, only 9 miles away from St Andrews itself.

Distance From Course: 9 miles

Considered to the toughest golf course of the seven links courses in St Andrews, the Jubilee has an interesting history – it was originally developed as a beginner’s course and to be used by ladies. In 1988, the course was re-designed as a championship golf course and a great addition to the St Andrews Links experience.

Wedged in between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee Course has some great camera worthy holes and is must play as part of your St Andrews experience. 

 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 1 miles

A gentler golfing experience, the Eden Course stretches out to 6250 yards, par 70. It is an enjoyable golf course with some great holes running alongside the water and estuary with some crisscrossing between holes adding to the traditional design features – the golf course was built in 1914.

We temper the “gentler” experience tag with the weather conditions on the day. The Eden course is more exposed to the elements and can be a real challenge when the wind blows! It is also wise to stay away from the bunkers, there are some really penalizing bunkers around the Eden which could spoil a scorecard or two!

 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 1 miles

The New Course at St Andrews is considered the oldest “New” course in the world being built in 1895! With undulating fairways and tricky greens, the New Course is a great layout and a real test of every club in the bag around this traditional links.

Stretching out at 6625 yards and par 71, the course is perhaps a tad shorter by modern standards however it is a great design and well worth playing as part of your St Andrews golf holiday experience.

 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 1 miles

Sam Torrance was commissioned to design this superb championship layout, home of The Scottish Senior Open 2012.  It now features eight new holes and is regarded as among the top golf courses in the UK.

Distance From Course: 3 miles

Gene Sarazen designed The Kittocks and he has made the most of this spectacular piece of land.  Players will enjoy wonderful views over Fife`s golfing coastline, some challenging new holes, superb greens and fairways, all just a few minutes from the historic university town of St Andrews.

Distance From Course: 3 miles

The Dukes Course belongs to the Old Course Hotel and sits high above the famous town of St Andrews.  It is widely regarded as being among the best heathland courses in the UK and has been improved over the years to provide an excellent alternative the huge variety of links golf available in this most famous of golfing regions.  The course is defined by its length - its over 7500 yards from the tips, the large waste bunkers that feature on several holes and the spectacular views of St Andrews.  There is a fantastic clubhouse with luxurious locker rooms and a great restaurant and if you`re lucky enough to be staying in the hotel, you`ll enjoy free transfers to and from the course. 

Distance From Course: 2 miles

 Crail Golfing Society was founded in 1786 and is the 7th oldest golf club in the world.  The Balcomie Links was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895 and the new Craighead course, designed by world renowned architect Gil Hanse, was opened for play in 1998.

Balcomie has 3 par fives, 6 par threes and 9 par fours making it an unusual layout.  Unusual certainly doesn`t mean easy as the natural links land, cleverly positioned bunkers and shots over rocky bays put a premium on accuracy.

Craighead offers players stunning views from every hole and designer, Gil Hanse, has remained true to the traditions of the game.  there are no trees to protect shots from the reliable but fluky winds, deep bunkers and wikedly sloping greens.

This stretch of coast is home to some of the world`s most famous courses and both courses at Crail sit comfortably among their more illustrious neighbours.

Distance From Course: 9 miles

Scotscraig is another of the R&A`s preferred final qualifying venues for the Open Championship.  It last hosted this prestigious tournament in 2010 - the year Louis Oosthuizen defeated a distant Lee Westwood at the main event over the Old Course, St Andrews.

The course is, strictly speaking, a heathland layout, but it proximity to the North Sea coast means you will have to deal with a fairly reliable sea breeze and fairways that bear more than a passing resemblance to their link-land cousins.

The 4th and 14th holes are particularly good, the first demanding accuracy to avoid deep riveted bunkers and the latter requiring a combination on power an accuracy to conquer its considerable 523 yard length. 

Distance From Course: 8 miles

 The Golf House Club, Elie, better known as Elie Golf Club, is a short but rewarding links classic that will live long in the memory of anyone fortunate enough to play it.

It is highly regarded by even the most celebrated players. Peter Thomson, 5 time Open Champion, said that given the chance, he`d `build Elies all over the world`.

Simply over-powering the course is not an option as the undulating fairways and quick, superbly conditioned greens can be treacherous.  

The views from all parts of the course are spectacular.  On a clear day players stare out across the Firth of Forth towards Muirfield and North Berwick while some holes are so close to the shore that it`s not uncommon to see seals basking on the rocks.  Elie has a beautiful clubhouse with great facilities including an excellent pro shop, a traditional bar and a fine restaurant.  And don`t foget to take a look inside the starter`s hut where play is controlled with the help of a periscope - salvaged from HMS Excalibur in 1966.  

Elie is just 25 minutes from St Andrews and is a course that should form part of any trip to this most famous of golfing coasts.

 

Distance From Course: 10 miles

Quite simply, one of Scotland’s modern greats and most sought-after golf experiences in the country, let alone St Andrews. Kingsbarns is located on 1.8 miles of pristine coastline and is only 7 miles from St Andrews itself meaning that it is a must include golf course during your stay in St Andrews. Co-hosting the Alfred Dunhill each year along with the Old Course and Carnoustie , Kingsbarns is a must play.

Using the coastline perfectly, each hole at Kingsbarns makes the very best of its enviable location. The golf course has an embarrassment of great holes and undulating, large greens making for an unforgettable experience.

Distance From Course: 6 miles

The Castle Course is the newest addition to the St Andrews Links golf courses. Opened in 2008, the Castle Course is unmissable and one of the very best golf courses in the area. It is a demanding golf course and a great challenge.

Perched on the rugged clifftop and boasting some of the very best views overlooking the old town of St Andrews, the Castle Course is a great modern links design. The clubhouse at the Castle Course is frequented by golfers and non-golfers alike, offering stunning views and a great place to relax post round.

 

Image Credit: St Andrews Links Trust

Distance From Course: 2 miles