Play today at North Berwick (tbc). Like St Andrews, this links starts and finishes in town. Golf was played in the area since at least 1672 but the club was formed in 1832 making it the thirteenth oldest in the game.  It came to be in the same way as so many of the early clubs -- in stages.  First it was a 6-hole layout, then a 7, then a 10 which included the famous Redan hole, then in 1877 a full 18.   A renovation lengthened the course in 1895 then again in 1932.  The course is a delight for many reasons not the least of which is how you are challenged by stonewalls, deep bunkers, the usual humps, hollows and burns without having to fight brutal rough.   The course is normally set up to play in around 3 hours so the rough is kept playable.

North Berwick Golf Club, Scotland by LINKS Magazine

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Your Itinerary

The Marine North Berwick is the latest additional to the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts.  The hotel reopened in summer 2021 after a complete transformation to this iconic Victorian turreted mansion.  It sits overlooking the 16th green of North Berwick West Links commanding superb views of the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock and to the distant shores of Fife.  Bedrooms feature warm woods and antique furnishings, while selected rooms boast stunning scenic views of the golf course and estuary.  The Bass Rock Bar and Lounge is the focal point for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and all-day drinks. The destination bar serves cocktails and stories, international wines, award winning whiskies and local spirits, together with Scottish craft beers and ales.

Golf today on Muirfield, 18 holes (tbc), home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, is among the most treasured in the game.  Formed in 1744, is the world’s oldest documented golf club.  It is where the original Rules of Golf were written.  It has hosted The Open on more than a dozen occasions. Old Tom Morris redesigned it in 1891 as a 16-hole layout followed by the addition of two more holes several months later. In 1928, Harry S. Colt and Tim Simpson made alterations that are credited with making this the masterpiece is it today.  Most courses of the day were routed nine holes out and nine back.  Not Muirfield.  Its outward nine runs clockwise around the perimeter of the property while the inward nine runs counter-clockwise inside the outward. This utterly unique layout produces play into constantly changing wind conditions.  

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Scotland by LINKS Magazine

Today play Carnoustie  (tbc).  The first record of golf played on this links land dates to 1527.  In 1842, a 10-hole course was designed by Alan Robertson followed by an 18-hole course by Old Tom Morris in 1857.  James Braid extended the layout in 1926 which is essentially the links found today. While it is relatively flat, Carnoustie is exposed to the elements. A combination of length and accuracy are required as golfers face narrow corridors from the tee while approach shots demand precision to greens heavily guarded by steep bunkers and burns. Arguably the toughest finishing holes in championship golf are found here highlighted by the par-4, 476 yard 14th and the 245 yard par-3 16th. Ben Hogan won The 82nd Open at Carnoustie in 1953. Tom Watson and Gary Player also hoisted the Claret Jug here as has Padraig Harrington and mostly recently Francesco Molinari in 2018.

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Your Itinerary

The 5-star Fairmont St Andrews is located on the outskirts of St Andrews along the road to Crail. Sitting on the summit of a spectacular cliff formation, the hotel and its two championship golf courses have breathtaking panoramic views of the River Tay estuary, the North Sea, the Fife countryside, and the medieval skyline of St Andrews. In addition to the two golf courses on site, you may enjoy the Spa, a haven of peace and tranquility. Enjoy a few easy lengths of the 18-metre pool, relax in the  Jacuzzi, sauna or steam room. Included in your rate is full WiFi internet access in the public rooms and guest bedrooms.

Golf today on the New Course of St Andrews (tbc). Several holes at the oldest ‘new’ course in the world – the New Course opened in 1895 – have been carved through punitive gorse, so accurate tee shots are required. Set beside and in contrast to the Old Course, this Old Tom Morris design includes undulating fairways and puts on display a fine test of links golf. The 17th can be a make-or-break par-3 coming home. It measures 229 yards from the back tees, forcing golfers to combine power and precision to find the green in regulation.  The New is highly regarded among the locals because it is tighter and more defined than the Old. 

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WEBCAST - A Greenside Chat: "The Story of The Inner Workings of The Home of Golf" ~ St Andrews Links Trust

Today challenge the Old Course of St Andrews (tbc), the ''Home of Golf''. The Old Course has played host to the greatest golfers and produced many of golf's most dramatic moments. Wide double fairways, seven extensive double greens, and a multitude of intimidating bunkers are just some of the unique features you will encounter. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods each hoisted the Claret Jug here on two occasions. In 1927, Bobby Jones claimed The 62nd Open six years after taking four strokes to escape the Hill Bunker at the 11th and tearing up his scorecard!  No. 17, the “Road Hole”, is always an adventure as is negotiating the Valley of Sin at the short par-4 18th. 

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Learn how to play the famed 17th hole on the Old Course with Colin Dalgleish of PerryGolf click here.

WEBCAST - A Greenside Chat: "The Story of The Inner Workings of The Home of Golf" ~ St Andrews Links Trust

Today play Kingsbarns (tbc). Golf dates to a nine-hole layout here in 1793.  It was commandeered by the military during the Second World War not to reappear until Kyle Phillips took an interest in the late 1990s. His design ushered in the era of “modern classics” when it opened in 2000 looking like it had been there for years.  The terrain is links style perfection with tumbling fairways and sandy soil that produce the fine-bladed fescues which are the cornerstone of fast-and-firm playing surfaces that characterise links golf.  The fairways are spacious, the greens are large, exceptional views of the North Sea are found on every hole.

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