Leven Links¶
Genuinely sandy links land running between ancient parallel dune ridges — the western, wilder half of the turf shared with Lundin, split in 1909 by the Mile Dyke stream. The Scoonie Burn guards the 18th, claimed to be the second-hardest finishing hole in Scottish golf. Often treated as the poorer relation to its eastern neighbour, with real depth of character for those who look.
Location¶
Leven, Fife — about 15 miles from St Andrews, 25 min drive. Map.
The Course¶
Par 71, 6,506 yds. The original nine holes date to 1846, extended to eighteen in 1868 with Old Tom Morris advising; the course was split from Lundin's in 1909, each extending inland. Six-time Open final qualifying venue. The 455-yard 18th "Scoonie" is the finisher — the Scoonie Burn coils around the front of a green "supported in mid-air by railway sleepers," under the turreted clubhouse.
History¶
Leven Golfing Society is the 11th-oldest golf club in the world; the shared "Innerleven" course became two in 1909. In 1868 it became the first course in the world with eighteen separate tees and greens. Open Final Qualifying host (1978, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005); the Standard Life Gold Medal has been contested here annually since 1870 — the oldest amateur strokeplay championship in the world. NCG Top 100s Scotland #57. No full official hole-name list published.
Scorecard¶
White tees (source: golfsherpa/18Birdies aggregator — official card is an image; treat SI as indicative):
| Hole | Par | SI | Yds | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 10 | 426 | 390 |
| 2 | 4 | 8 | 379 | 347 |
| 3 | 4 | 16 | 352 | 322 |
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 450 | 411 |
| 5 | 3 | 18 | 163 | 149 |
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 569 | 520 |
| 7 | 3 | 14 | 182 | 166 |
| 8 | 4 | 6 | 350 | 320 |
| 9 | 3 | 12 | 171 | 156 |
| 10 | 4 | 11 | 338 | 309 |
| 11 | 4 | 17 | 368 | 336 |
| 12 | 5 | 1 | 504 | 461 |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | 482 | 441 |
| 14 | 4 | 15 | 363 | 332 |
| 15 | 3 | 7 | 189 | 173 |
| 16 | 4 | 13 | 393 | 359 |
| 17 | 4 | 5 | 416 | 380 |
| 18 | 4 | 9 | 456 | 417 |
Playing It¶
Green fees: £125 weekday / £135 weekend (2026, May–Sep); £110 weekday after 12:00; £85–90 Mar–Apr. Visitors welcome Mon–Fri after 9:30, Sat after 12:00, Sun after 10:30. Book at leven-links.com.
Getting There¶
Car: A915 to Leven, about 25 min from St Andrews. Parking at the clubhouse.
Notes¶
Shares the original links ground with Lundin — see that article for the eastern half. Playing both in a day is a classic Fife two-fer.