Links ClassicHidden Gem

Leven Links

Leven, Fife · Designed by Old Tom Morris origins; golf since the 1820s · Est. 1846

Leven Links is one of the oldest golfing grounds in the world — golf has been played over this stretch of Largo Bay since the 1820s, and the club dates its formal history back to 1846. Along with neighbouring Lundin, it formed a single continuous links until the two were divided in 1909, and it remains a wonderful, old-fashioned seaside course of real quality.

At par 71 over around 6,500 yards, it runs out along the bay and back, its firm, rippled fairways and clever bunkering asking honest links questions. Its most famous feature is the closing hole, a par-4 played over the Scoonie Burn to a green beneath the clubhouse — a classic, nervy finish that has decided many a match and staged Open Final Qualifying.

Unpretentious, historic and very fairly priced, Leven is the kind of authentic Scottish links that reminds you why the game began here. The club shares its history and its opening holes’ character with neighbouring Lundin, the two having grown from a single stretch of Largo Bay links divided in 1909. Leven’s links has staged Open Final Qualifying and the Standard Life Men’s Links Championship, and its firm, fast turf and the tidal Scoonie Burn at the last make it a serious test that belies its modest length.

Holes worth knowing

118th (par-4) — the celebrated finish, played over the Scoonie Burn to a green beneath the clubhouse; a nervy, classic closing hole.
2The Largo Bay stretch — firm, rippled links fairways run out along the shore, asking honest seaside questions all the way.

Highlights

One of the world's oldest golfing grounds
Golf here since the 1820s
The famous closing hole over the Scoonie Burn
Open Final Qualifying venue

Good to know

→Golf has been played at Leven since the 1820s — this is genuinely ancient links ground, and it wears its history lightly.
→The 18th over the Scoonie Burn is one of Fife's great closing holes — keep a shot in hand for it.
→Leven and Lundin were once one links, divided in 1909 — the two make a natural, well-priced pairing on Largo Bay.
→The East Neuk fishing villages and their seafood are a short drive east; St Andrews is about 40 minutes.
→It is superb value for links of this vintage and quality — a favourite of travelling golfers in the know.