DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
PERTHSHIRE & HEARTLANDS
LEVEN 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 .
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 !
The Dukes ( St Andrews )
The Duke ’ s opened in 1995 , and was designed by five-time Open winner , Peter Thomson . It lies inland from the famous golfing town and is best described as a muscular heathland course , one of quality and intrigue , routed through gentle hills above St Andrews . Considerable work in recent years has given the course the feel of a bygone era and the 118 jagged bunkers certainly help in that regard . The white sand adds tremendous shape and drama to holes , and plotting your way through them is hugely rewarding . Trees also frame holes constantly and it is a charming respite from non-stop links golf nearby . An impressive clubhouse awaits and the balcony offers wonderful views over the course , towards St Andrews and the North Sea . Everything about Duke ’ s is big - the golf experience most of all .
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 .
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