Elie - Golf house clubs - 16 POINTS
The holes on the coast are the most dramatic at Elie.
Fife is renowned for its fantastic concentration of golf courses. From the Old Course to young pretenders like Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie it is full of big names. However, visitors will often overlook some of the traditional courses on the south coast of the Kingdom and that is a real shame. Crail, Lundin Links and Leven are all fine golf courses but there is one that really shines above all other - Elie.
The course is officially called ‘Golf House Club, Elie’ but for most these days, Elie suffices. Golf has been played in Elie since the 15th century but it was Old Tom Morris who laid out 18 holes in 1895. James Braid was born and bred here and made some changes to his home course in 1921 - since then it’s pretty much untouched.
I will nail my colours firmly to the mast here. I just loved Elie. It is a superbly conditioned, fun and playable course, with some great architecture and wonderful views. There’s a lot to like here!
The course is a par 70 - 6,273 yards from the back tees ,and just over 6,000 from the yellows. The ground is largely classic, fast-running links, though it doesn’t play long. It’s fairly wide from the tees and while there are definitely lines to take to hit the speed pockets that will get you close to the pins, you can mainly hit with confidence from wherever you are.
The first tee has a couple of notable features. The pro shop houses a famous periscope which the staff will use to check you’re clear to hit. There’s also a clubhouse terrace where the membership will appraise your swing as you hit the blind shot over the hill to get your round underway.
Make sure you don’t hit too far right of the post on the first as the boundary wall of the course isn’t too far away and it cuts in the further up you get. It’s quite a gentle opening hole once you get your drive off, and the second eases you in too with a sub 300 yards par 4, although there is plenty of undulation to keep things interesting.
The scorecard at Elie is fairly remarkable, with sixteen par 4s and two par 3s. Usually I would be worried this threatened monotony but there should be no such worries here, the par 4s vary in length from 252 to 466 yards.
The 3rd is the first of the par 3s, over 200 yards into the prevailing wind but down a steep slope which brings the ball in from the right.
The 4th is a fascinating hole - a par 4 with a spine down the middle of the fairway that continues all the way to the green. Elie is full of features you can use to your advantage if you use them well, or can deflect your ball away from the target line if you get it wrong.
The par 3 3rd is a long downhill hole with lovely views over the course to come.
I’m a fan of short par 4s and the 7th delivered the appropriate thrill with a drive through the back leaving me an up and down for birdie.
The 10th to 13th holes - comprising a short, medium and long par 4 and a mid iron par 3 - are set along the coast and are the most thrilling holes on the course. The 13th is one of the best par 4s in the land - nestled next to the dramatic cliffs of Kincraig point.
If Old Tom Morris made signature holes then the 13th at Elie would be a good candidate
The closing holes never quite hit these heights. The land is a little less interesting, and the views drop away. But, having said that, the 18th is a nice closing hole - one of those demanding Scottish 18th holes playing back directly to the clubhouse.
The 18th is a testing par 4 finishing in front of the clubhouse
Elie is definitely a top 25 course in Scotland - were it a little more consistent it would be even higher. It’s the kind of course I would jump in a car and drive a couple of hours to if offered a round. It’s not a monster, most golfers will be able to get around it relatively easily, but some of the holes will stay etched in your memory for a long time.
If you are staying in St Andrews then I would say it’s close to a ‘must play’ for one of your additional rounds in the area. It really is just a marvelous place to play golf and one I thoroughly recommend.
BOOKING THE COURSE
Elie has an unusual layout - 16 par 4s and 2 par 3s
As at so many courses in Scotland in recent years, the green fee at Elie has gone up quite considerably. It ranges from £55 in the winter to £140 in the peak of summer. However, if you are in the area for longer, there are weekly and fortnightly tickets which give good value. Junior rates are available too.
If you explore the website there are some twilight rates available which reduce the green fees further. Don’t forget, in the peak of summer you can be playing here well after 10pm so they are well worth looking at.
There is online booking here and the pro shop are accommodating if you need a little flexibility too.
Prices correct as of August 2023.
TOUR TIPS
Elie is about 25 minutes south of St Andrew. You can reach it by car/taxi or the hourly bus service.
Most will choose to stay in St Andrews but there are closer options too. Elie itself has several guest houses and Airbnbs. The Ship Inn is a good place to stop for food and drink and has 6 bedrooms. To the west there are options in Crail and, to the east, in Anstruther and Lundin Links too.
St Andrews definitely has more life to it but there are plenty of places to get a good meal and drink of an evening along this southern coast.
When it comes to other golf options you are completely spoiled for choice. Elie is within a 20 minute drive of Kingsbarns, Crail, Lundin, Leven and Dumbarnie. Any or all of those would be worthy additions to a holiday, depending on your budget. And you’ll always be able to get a game on one of St Andrews’ many great links courses.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Golf House Club
Elie
Fife
Scotland
KY9 1AS
Web - https://www.golfhouseclub.co.uk/
Phone - +44 1333 330301
