Elie — Earlsferry Links¶
Proper links, sea views throughout, gloriously old-school. A quirky historic layout with no par 5s (sixteen par 4s, two par 3s), small greens, narrow gorse-lined fairways — and the famous submarine periscope on the first tee, raised from the starter's hut to check the fairway is clear. Golf has been played here since at least 1589 (royal charter).
Location¶
Elie and Earlsferry, East Neuk of Fife — about 15 miles from St Andrews, 25–30 min drive. Map.
The Course¶
Par 70, 6,273 yds. The 11th "Sea Hole" plays along the firth with cliff drops. The famous blind 1st "Stacks" is where the periscope earns its keep; the 13th "Croupie" was James Braid's favourite hole — "the finest in all the country" — a diagonal green on a 15-foot shelf under the Kincraig cliffs; the 10th "Lundar Law" is a blind approach to a green tilting toward the beach; and a public road cuts diagonally across the 8th. An out-and-back walk over genuine links land, unbothered by modern redesign.
Scorecard¶
White tees (source: official club card, elielinks.org):
| Hole | Name | Par | SI | Yds | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stacks | 4 | 12 | 420 | 384 |
| 2 | High Hole | 4 | 3 | 284 | 260 |
| 3 | Wickets | 3 | 17 | 214 | 196 |
| 4 | Provost | 4 | 6 | 378 | 346 |
| 5 | Doctor | 4 | 13 | 365 | 334 |
| 6 | Quarries | 4 | 7 | 316 | 289 |
| 7 | Peggy's | 4 | 15 | 252 | 230 |
| 8 | Neuk | 4 | 1 | 382 | 349 |
| 9 | Martin's Bay | 4 | 10 | 440 | 402 |
| 10 | Lundar Law | 4 | 9 | 288 | 263 |
| 11 | Sea Hole | 3 | 18 | 131 | 120 |
| 12 | Bents | 4 | 2 | 466 | 426 |
| 13 | Croupie | 4 | 11 | 380 | 347 |
| 14 | Suckielea | 4 | 5 | 414 | 379 |
| 15 | Coalhill | 4 | 16 | 338 | 309 |
| 16 | Grange | 4 | 4 | 407 | 372 |
| 17 | Ferry | 4 | 14 | 439 | 401 |
| 18 | Home | 4 | 8 | 359 | 328 |
History¶
Old Tom Morris extended the routing to eighteen in 1895; James Braid — born in Earlsferry — contributed holes 1, 2, 3 and 18, and won his first local tournament here aged 8. The Golf House Club dates to 1875. Multiple Open qualifying host; Peter Thomson called it "the most enjoyable course I know." NCG Top 100s Scotland #24.
Playing It¶
Green fees: £165 weekday / £180 weekend (2026, high season); £200 peak Jul–Aug; £60–75 low season. Book online at elielinks.org.
Getting There¶
Car: A917 through the East Neuk, about 25–30 min from St Andrews. Parking at the clubhouse.
Notes¶
Ask the starter to work the periscope — it is half the experience.