In 2008, during my first trip to Scotland, I was so smitten with the two 18-hole golf courses at the Crail Golfing Society that I signed up shortly thereafter for an Overseas Membership. The courses, which are open to the public, attract a lot of traffic from Europe and the States, many of those golfers hopeful of snagging a lottery tee time at St. Andrews, which is a mere 10 miles away.
This week I received a letter from the club indicating that the waiting lists for both full golf memberships and Overseas Memberships were so long that the club was suspending adding additional names. My already inexpensive membership – I’ve paid an average of $450 annually – now seems like a bigger bargain. Because of Covid and a few health issues, I have had to skip traveling to the Old Sod a few years. (My $450 annual membership fee entitles me to eight rounds of golf on the two courses plus guest fees of about $40; current rates for outside play run over $100.)
Now, after an absence of two years, I can’t wait to get back to Crail next May. I hope the accompanying photos communicate some of the reasons why Crail is my happy place, both the golf courses AND the town. If you would like more information about Crail and the many golf courses within a short ride (including all the links at St. Andrews, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and The Castle Course), feel free to send me a note atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For the best rendition of each photo, click on the magnifying glass at bottom right.
This week I received a letter from the club indicating that the waiting lists for both full golf memberships and Overseas Memberships were so long that the club was suspending adding additional names. My already inexpensive membership – I’ve paid an average of $450 annually – now seems like a bigger bargain. Because of Covid and a few health issues, I have had to skip traveling to the Old Sod a few years. (My $450 annual membership fee entitles me to eight rounds of golf on the two courses plus guest fees of about $40; current rates for outside play run over $100.)
Now, after an absence of two years, I can’t wait to get back to Crail next May. I hope the accompanying photos communicate some of the reasons why Crail is my happy place, both the golf courses AND the town. If you would like more information about Crail and the many golf courses within a short ride (including all the links at St. Andrews, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and The Castle Course), feel free to send me a note at
Early morning mow at Crail Balcomie Links, the North Sea beyond.
On a misty morning, the view from the 13th green at Balcomie Links.
...by the beautiful sea.
Horseshoe bunker on Craighead Links, designed by Gil Hanse.
Second green on Craighead Links, Balcomie Farmhouse (circa 1650) in distance.
Strategic mowing on Craighead Links makes for some beautiful artwork.
Gun placement beside Craighead Links is relic from WWII.
Floral view of North Sea from Crail town.
From Crail Harbour, looking South toward Edinburgh, about 70 miles away.
Crail Balcomie's unfussy scorecard.