Scotscraig Golf Club

I have a goal to play a new course every time I come to Scotland, and this time it was the Scotscraig Golf Club in Tayport, about 20 minutes outside of St. Andrews.

Scotscraig was founded in 1817 and is the 13th oldest golf club in Scotland. In 1888 the "new" course was opened extending the course to nine holes. In the 1890's Tom Morris advised the club on the extension to 18 holes and in 1923 the course was redesigned by five time Open champion James Braid. It has remained largely unchanged since then with the exception of making it longer.

Unfortunately there has been a lot of rain this year and the course was very wet. Several of the bunkers were underwater, but the grounds crew was doing a good job of getting the course back in shape. Scotsgraig is a good challenge. It has been an Open qualifier for the last 20 years. It is a tight, parkland style course with some trees and a lot of gorse. You need to drive the ball straight here or you will be in a lot of trouble. The fourth hole is the most challenging with a near impossible elevated green that slopes off in every direction.

Overall this is a very fun course and I would highly recommend it. It costs 56 pounds ($90) for a midweek round and 72 pounds ($119) for a round on the weekend. They also have some deals that pair a round of golf with lunch or dinner. You'll also find a fully stocked pro shop to go along with a nice restaurant and bar.