CRAIL GOLFING SOCIETY	Crail, Fife, Scotland
Course Review
• Founded:	1895
• Designer:	Old Tom Morris
• Championship Length:	5,922 yards
• PAR:	69
• SSS (Course Rating):	69
• Type:	Links

Crail - Balcomie

One of the world's oldest golf clubs, Crail Golfing Society was founded in February 1786 and initially comprised membership of 11 local golfers. The club's original home was located at Sauchope, just outside the picturesque fishing village of Crail, and it was not until 1895, with the help of Old Tom Morris, that it relocated to its present home at Balcomie Golf Links.

With the hardships of the First World War, the local town council had to come to the rescue of the club, when it took over the lease of the links, which was eventually purchased in 1924. As with many Scottish courses, the links was requisitioned for military use during the Second World War but by 1946, golf at Balcomie Links was restored. Crail was run jointly by both the council and the club until 1973, when Crail Golf Club purchased the entire facility from the council for the sum of £30,000.

Located 11 miles from its famous sister courses at St Andrews, the Balcomie Links at Crail, though not particularly long, is a truly beautiful venue with superb views of the sea from every tee. The course is always in immaculate condition and boasts crisp links turf and greens. Although it can become frighteningly fast during the summer months, it always remain true. Far removed from the bustle of everyday life, many holes climb and tumble alongside the water's edge and the rocky outcrops of the Forth shore.

As befits a classic links, each hole has its own character, which always ensures a fascinating round of golf. The 4th and 5th offer tempting shortcuts across the shoreline, with the latter, aptly called "Hell's Hole," representing a fearsome 459-yard par 4, where it's make your mind up time as to whether you try to carry the beach or take the sensible way around.

Like many top courses, the last few holes will test even the most accomplished golfer. With some of the finest short holes anywhere, the memory of the back-to-back 13th and 14th will linger for a long time. But no matter how well or badly you fare, every golfer will remember Crail as a stunning golfing experience.

Crail - Craighead

In 1998, a second course was added, Craighead. It now looks set to join Balcomie as one of the "must play" courses in Scotland.

American designer Gil Hanse studies, plays and is a mine of information on Scottish courses and Craighead features many of the best aspects of Scottish classic links.

It has panoramic seascapes and country views and is perfectly located just south of the present clubhouse.

Gil has made this a testing but fair challenge. However, be warned - there are hungry bunkers aplenty. No two consecutive holes face the same direction and, with constantly changing conditions, there is enough variety of shots to test any golfer's ability. We think you will agree that Craighead is a worthy neighbor of Balcomie.

Course review content courtesy of Golf Publisher Syndications