Scotscraig Golf Club is a timeless treasure in the world of golf. Established in 1817, it is the 13th oldest golf club in the world, originally founded by members of the St Andrews Society of Golfers, which later evolved into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. With over 200 years of history, Scotscraig has remained a revered course where tradition meets challenge.
Situated in the northeast of Fife, Scotscraig enjoys a prime location just across the Tay Bridge from Dundee, a city rich in culture and history. It’s also a mere 11 miles from St Andrews, the legendary Home of Golf. While it may not sit directly on the coast, Scotscraig’s design blends heathland and links characteristics, meaning plenty of heather and gorse to navigate!
Two of golf’s most celebrated architects, Old Tom Morris and James Braid, contributed to the design and evolution of the course, ensuring that Scotscraig retains its classical charm and strategic challenge. Having hosted numerous National Championships and served as a Final Qualifying course for The Open Championship when played at St Andrews, Scotscraig continues to attract elite and amateur golfers alike.
The Championship Course
Like many of Scotland’s historic courses, Scotscraig does not rely on sheer length to test golfers. The course plays between 5,783 yards and 6,698 yards, with the white tees measuring 6,559 yards—a fair yet demanding test for all abilities.
A Strong Start
The approach to the opening hole
The first hole is a strong opening hole. At 402 yards, it was playing into a stiff breeze. Our opening tee shot found the fairway on the left side, which left us a semi-blind second shot as the pin was on the left side of the green. We hit our 3 hybrid and aimed at the bit of green we could see. It finished on the right side of the green, and two putts later, we started off with a par.
Early Disaster
The first par 3
The third is the first par 3 on the course. At 214 yards, the breeze was hard from right to left. We opted to go with the 3 hybrid and proceeded to hit our tee shot left of the green. As we were unsure of what was over there, we hit another ball, even further left. We found neither ball in the rough, heather and gorse bushes and felt a bit deflated as we walked to the 4th tee.
The short 6th hole
The 6th hole, at 145 yards, is the shortest hole on the course, although playing into the wind, it was no pushover. We hit a solid 7-iron just left of the flag and just short of pin high. Our putt was slightly downhill and came up just short of the hole. Another safe par.
Lucky Tee Shot
Our second shot to the 7th
The 7th hole was a hole where we had great difficulty picking a line off the tee. It looked as if there was a fairway down the left, but we could see gorse bushes about 250 yards off the tee. As we couldn’t decide on the line, we hit 3 wood to the right of what we thought was the fairway. By more luck than judgement, we finished in the perfect place and had a clear line into the green. If we had hit the driver, it would have been pot luck finding a decent lie for our second shot. As it was, we hit a decent 6 iron onto the green and escaped with a par.
The par 5 9th hole
The 9th hole is the first par 5 on the course and, at 484 yards, should have given us a birdie opportunity. However, a poor tee shot meant we laid up with a 5 iron to avoid the fairway bunkers. This left us with a 9 iron to the green, and we made a solid par. A decent tee shot should give you a chance of going for it in two.
The Back Nine
The back nine begins with two strong par 4’s. The 10th is 404 yards but beware of the fairway bunkers which we found off the tee. They are deep and we could only play out sideways. We would suggest sacrificing distance to stay on the fairway. This will leave a medium to short iron into the green.
Approach to the 11th green
The 11th is the longest par 4 on the course at 453 yards. Your second shot plays slightly downhill. We hit the driver off the tee and went with a 5-iron for our second shot. It crept onto the front edge, and we two-putted for par. Our first birdie of the day came at the 12th, a 393-yard par 4. A decent drive left us 135 yards to go, and after a good 9-iron second shot finished 15 feet from the hole and we finally holed a putt.
Flushed It!
The 13th hole
After our birdie, we stood on the 13th tee. The breeze was helping slightly, so we went with a 7 iron. Unfortunately, we flushed it and went through the green just left of the flag. Fortunately, we had a decent lie and were able to get up and down for our par.
The second shot to the par 5 14th hole
The 14th hole is the longest par 5 at Scotscraig. At 516 yards, you need to hit a good tee shot to have the opportunity to go for the green. Our tee shot finished just off the fairway on the right, which left us 232 yards to the front. We needed to hit a fade with our 3 wood, and we managed to hit what was probably our best shot of the day onto the front edge. Two putts later, and we had our second birdie of the day.
The 15th hole
The 15th is the last of the par 3’s on the course. At 175 yards, it’s a tricky hole. The green has a tier running across the green, and the pin was back right. We chose our 4 hybrid and pulled it into the back left bunker. With a restricted backswing, we did well to get it out of the bunker. Two putts later and we recorded an easy bogey.
Army Golf
Approach to the 17th
After making a par at the par 5 16th, we thought we might have a chance of a birdie at the 377-yard 17th. We were wrong. Into the breeze, we hit a high block with our driver, almost on to the 18th fairway. We were blocked out by a couple of trees and tried to hit a fade with a 6 iron. The fade didn’t come off, and we missed the green left and on the short side. A flop shot that Phil Mickelson would be proud of, and an 18-inch putt, and we escaped with a par.
Approach to the 18th
The last hole was playing downwind. At 396 yards, all you have to do is hit the fairway and leave yourself an easy shot in. We hit 3 wood and pushed it. It landed right of the bunker and disappeared into the trees. We chipped out and hit an 8 iron through the green. A pitch and putt, and we finished with a bogey and ended up one over for the back nine.
Summary
Scotscraig has the look and feel of a historical club and course. It’s a popular destination for both local and international golfers and being only 11 miles from St. Andrews, it’s in the perfect location to attract all types of golfers. It’s not overly long and on the day we were there, there was a mix of people playing. We saw kids practicing, older members with buggies playing as well as Americans visitors with caddies.
The greens were excellent with plenty of subtle borrows to confuse you. We didn’t hole many putts but that was due to our reading of the greens as the ball was running true. They were not quick, more medium paced but quick enough in the stiff breeze. The bunkers are small and deep, proper hazards. Avoid them at all costs!
Why Play Scotscraig?
Scotscraig is steeped in history, offering a golf experience that balances challenge, tradition, and playability. Whether you’re a local golfer or an international visitor, it is a must-play venue, especially for those exploring Scotland’s golfing heartland.
Local Attractions & Nearby Highlights:
- St Andrews (11 miles away) – Visit the historic Old Course, the R&A, and the British Golf Museum.
- Dundee (across the Tay Bridge) – Explore V&A Dundee, the Discovery Point, and Broughty Ferry Beach.
- Tentsmuir Forest & Beach – A stunning coastal retreat ideal for post-round relaxation.
- Tayport Harbour – A picturesque spot offering local seafood and scenic views.
Final Thoughts
Scotscraig’s firm, fast-running fairways, immaculate greens, and strategic bunkering make it a hidden gem in Scotland’s golf-rich landscape. With a welcoming atmosphere, top-class facilities, and a storied history, it is a course that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
At a Glance:
- 18-hole championship course
- Final Qualifying venue for The Open Championship
- Blend of heathland and links
- Founded in 1817 – 13th oldest club in the world
- Excellent practice facilities, pro shop, and clubhouse
- Easily accessible from St Andrews and Dundee
Special thanks to Liam Greasley for arranging our visit. If you’re looking for an authentic, historic, and rewarding Scottish golf experience, Scotscraig should be high on your list!
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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