Leven
XXXX Links
Kingsbarns
Kyle Philips worked his magic to create this spectacular course
in the late 1990s. It is fluid, it is velvet and it is unforgettable. The
course embraces the subtlety of links golf while lavishing it with
charm and elegance. Set on Kingsbarns Bay, golfers will play over
wide and rhythmic fairways to sweetly undulating greens. It is as
hypnotic as it sounds and the course stretches for almost two miles
along the coast, embracing three separate coves. The views of sea
and coastline are only the turn of a head away and such beauty is
reflected on the course with the wispy rough adding a golden hue,
the series of slopes presenting holes on different levels and the
variety of greens promising huge amounts of fun.
Ladybank
Dating back to 1879 (and Old Tom Morris), this attractive
heathland course races through a landscape drenched in gorse,
heather, pine and silver birch. It is bursting with colour and
the club’s mascot – the red squirrel – tells you a lot. Even the
drive in is wonderful, that long avenue of trees setting the
tone and offering glimpses of golfers and fairways. The sandy
soil promises tight turf, gentle undulations to fairways and fast
firm greens. Combined with some deep bunkering it is little
surprise that golfers wax lyrical about its links-like traits. The links
resemblances end there, however, for this is a course where the
trees call for caution and the narrow fairways reward accuracy.
There is barely a straight hole and with only four par fours over
400 yards, beating the doglegs and subtle curves is your number
one priority. The peacefulness of Ladybank is always enchanting.
Monifieth (Medal)
This course is well known for its narrow fairways, deep revetted
bunkers and fast greens. It is strong links golf by any standard and
there’s a second course here, too. The links eases you in gently
with the opening (and closing) holes running calmly parallel to the
railway line. You feel the momentum growing as you head out
to the heart of the course and the Index 1, par four 4th is all the
introduction you need as the fairway narrows quickly to a green
lost in a nest of dunes. For the next two hours you’ll encounter
serious swagger as holes rumble over and through good sized
dunes, creating plenty of blind spots and daunting shots. Sharp
approach play required. The stands of pine trees add hugely to
the setting. An Open Championship qualifying venue.
Leven Links
A links course through and through, and of that low-lying,
deceptive and mischievous variety that makes you think holes
look straightforward. Even the scorecard suggests you’ll have an
easy day of it… until you look closely. From the forward Yellow
tees there are three par fours of over 450 yards (two of these are
par fives from the back tees). The wind will taunt you all day and
this is a course that requires accuracy to find the fairways tucked
between rough strewn dunes. Bump and run isn’t always on (the
memorable 456 yard 18th has the Scoonie Burn in front of the
green) but when it is, it’s a delicious opportunity to attack flags
on the large greens. And mind the bunkers: slopes and hollows
can steer your ball unerringly into the sand. That’s a links for you!
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