Leven Links, Scotland

http://www.leven-links.com

White tees par 71 SSS 72
Red tees    par 73 SSS 74

The view towards Lundin Links from the 3rd green

Leven Links is stuffed with history.  It is believed that golf has been played over this ground since the early 19th century and a 9 hole course was in place from the middle of that century.  In 1868 it was extended to 18 holes when 'young' Tom Morris won the inaugural 36 hole competition.  The course was extended north of the railway line to St Andrews in 1909 although the railway disappeared in the railway closures of 1966.  Its course can still be seen on the links today.  The Standard Life Amateur Champion Gold medal, the oldest amateur championship in the world, is played here.  An honours board in the Leven Golfing Society clubhouse records the winners since the first tournament in 1870 and contains illustrious names such as Harry Colt, Lee Westwood and Andrew Coltart.

The par 3 5th

We played Leven on a windy and rainy day but the weather did little to dent our enjoyment of the course.  The first four holes run alongside the beach and Largo Bay with lovely views over the Forth estuary to the East Lothian golfing coast.  The 6th is a long par 5 with out of bounds tight on the right making trouble for an errant second shot.  There is a lot of gorse and many bunkers with one hole (7th) boasting ten.  Most of the second nine is played into the prevailing westerly wind although a few holes are with the wind, most notably the fairly short  par 5 12th where a burn lies in wait for the over exuberant approach shot.  This point of the course abuts the Lundin Links course over a wall. 

The long par three 15th is a tough hole and has a tricky green.  One professional took five putts here in the 2005 Open qualifying round.  However the most memorable hole is the eighteenth, a par 4 (457 yards) for men and 5(445 yards) for ladies, mainly because of the green which is surrounded on two sides by the Scoonie Burn which awaits the shot hit without commitment and must have destroyed many a good card.

The 18th green is guarded by the Scoonie burn

Worth a visit?  Yes - a classic old fashioned links course

The Jubilee, St Andrews, Scotland

http://www.standrews.com/Play/Courses/Jubilee-Course

White tees par 72 SSS 73
Red tees par 74 SSS 75

St Andrews is a golfing paradise and the Jubilee course certainly contributes to that description.  Opened on 22nd June 1897 it is so called as that was a public holiday to celebrate Queen Victoria's jubilee.  It was initially 12 holes for beginners and ladies but was extended to 18 holes at the turn of the century.  In 1946 Willie Auchterlonie, who was honorary professional to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for more than 25 years, improved the course but it did not reach championship standard until a complete overhaul by Donald Steel in 1988.

The first green with the Old Course hotel in the background

We played the Jubilee on a windy day in May with Lynn and David Lawson.  It lies between the New Course and St Andrews Bay and has a traditional 'out and back' layout through sand dunes with lovely views of the West Sands (as seen in 'Chariots of Fire') and the other St Andrews courses.  Like many of the St Andrews courses it runs north/south so the prevailing wind blows across on both nines.  There are particularly memorable holes at the turn with the 8th running alongside the Eden estuary through sand dunes to a sunken and sheltered green.  The 9th is a tough par 3 played downhill from an elevated tee onto a typical Donald Steel upturned saucer of a green.  The drive at the 10th can be dangerous in windy conditions with out of bounds awaiting on the left.  The 15th hole is often commented on mainly because of its green which is approached between large dunes and has a deep gully at the front which will trap a short approach shot. 

The testing ninth hole

Worth playing - Yes, a good test of golf especially in the wind and an essential part of the St Andrews experience.
               

The fifteenth green is surrounded by dunes with a deep gully at the front 

                                     

Carnoustie Burnside, Scotland

www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk

Yellow tees par 68 SSS 70
Red tees par 71 SSS 72

On a glorious sunny but breezy day we played the Burnside course at Carnoustie which neighbours the famous Championship course.  It is such an enjoyable course with true links character - heather, whins, the Barry Burn and tough bunkers.  It was established in 1914 and in its days as an Open qualifying course it hosted Ben Hogan whose 70 allowed him to qualify and win the Claret Jug in 1953.

The par 3 9th

The par 3s are particularly memorable.  The 5th (aptly named 'Burn') has a green surrounded on three sides by the Barry Burn, the 9th has a plateau green which requires an accurate shot to hold and the 14th is of a quality which could be found on some of the best links courses in the world.  Named 'scoup' which in Scots means to scamper, your shot needs to live up to this name as it is uphill and long, especially when into the wind. It requires a long wood or even a driver which makes it very challenging to hold.  Be happy with a par 3! The 17th is a stunning par 5 which needs careful thought to negotiate the burn which crosses the fairway twice.


Worth a visit? Yes This is an excellent course for the club golfer- combine with the other two Carnoustie courses for a great golfing experience.



A view of the 17th green - this is the second time that the burn has to be negotiated on this hole.