Scotscraig Golf Club

Tayport, Fife · Designed by James Braid revisions; founded 1817 · Est. 1817

8.0/10Edge Score

££££Green fee

71Par

6,600Yards

18Holes

Why this Edge Score: One of the world's oldest golf clubs, Scotscraig at Tayport is a links-heathland hybrid between the Tay and the sea with Braid-refined greens. An Open Final Qualifying venue that stays uncrowded, it is superb value in the shadow of St Andrews.

Scotscraig, at Tayport on the northern tip of Fife, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, founded in 1817. It occupies a fascinating stretch of ground between the Tay and the sea — a hybrid of true links and heathland, with gorse, heather and broom framing firm, fast-running fairways, and views across the estuary to Dundee and Carnoustie beyond.

At par 71 over around 6,600 yards, it is a genuine championship test and a regular Open Final Qualifying venue, its subtle greens and clever bunkering — refined over the years by James Braid among others — rewarding accurate, thoughtful golf. Because it sits slightly off the main St Andrews trail, it is often quiet and always excellent value for a course of such pedigree.

For golfers touring Fife and Angus, Scotscraig is the perfect, uncrowded bridge between the two — a historic, characterful links that deserves to be far better known.

Holes worth knowing

1The heathland-links holes — gorse, heather and broom frame firm fairways in a distinctive blend of two golfing worlds.
2The estuary views — from the higher ground the course opens up across the Tay to Dundee and the Angus coast.

Highlights

One of the oldest golf clubs in the world (1817)
A links-and-heathland hybrid near the Tay
Open Final Qualifying venue
Braid-refined greens, uncrowded and great value

Good to know

→Founded in 1817, Scotscraig is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world — genuine history at a very fair green fee.
→It is a true links-heathland hybrid, so expect firm fairways framed by gorse and heather rather than big dunes.
→Being off the main St Andrews trail, it is usually quiet — a Final Open Qualifying course you can often have almost to yourself.
→It sits at the north tip of Fife by the Tay Bridge — Dundee (the V&A Design Museum) is 20 minutes, Carnoustie 30.
→Ideal as a bridge between a St Andrews and an Angus (Carnoustie/Monifieth/Montrose) leg of a trip.