Elie

Unique, elegant, and timeless. A beautiful links by the sea with blind shots, shared fairways, and a 19th-century submarine periscope on the first tee.

Slope Rating

126

Par

70

Yardage

6,273

Elie offers a traditional Scottish links experience full of charm, history, and eccentricity. Established in 1875 and designed in part by Old Tom Morris and James Braid, it sits on a stunning stretch of Fife coastline just 30 minutes from St Andrews. The course is short by modern standards but never feels small – it demands creativity, precision, and a love of the ground game. The 1st tee uses a submarine periscope from HMS Excalibur to check if the fairway is clear – a fitting start to a quirky, unforgettable round. Expect firm turf, fast-running fairways, and beautifully contoured greens. Blind shots, drystone walls, and seaside winds make club selection critical. The 11th and 13th are standout par 4s, while the par-3 9th hugs the shore and tests nerve and touch. Elie is golf from another era – fast, fun, and scenic – with a pace and grace that wins hearts. It’s a course for purists, thinkers, and anyone who loves the art of links golf.

Designer

Old Tom Morris & James Braid

Opened

1875

Tee time availability

Good

Special information

Open to visitors and easy to book. Afternoon rounds often quieter.

Tiger’s best round

Rory’s best round

Mens course record

62 – Amateur competition

Ladies course record

Round duration

4 hours

Caddy guide

Optional – helpful for navigating blind shots and coastal breeze

Buggies

Permitted with medical exemption

Use every club in the bag. Don’t overpower it – instead, embrace the creativity. Positioning and trajectory matter more than yardage. Enjoy the strategic subtlety.

Perfect layout for your game. Focus on accuracy off the tee and avoid short-siding yourself. Putting from off the green is often the smartest play.

Elie is playable and joyful. Shorter yardage, wide fairways, and kind contours make it ideal for relaxed, satisfying golf. Keep the ball low and let it run.

Green speed

9 – firm, true, and wind-adjusted

Wind

Always in play – coastal winds often switch directions midday

Pace of play

Excellent – fast-moving members and friendly rhythm

Nerves on the first tee

Calm but curious – the periscope brings a smile. Modest crowds but a special tradition

Clubhouse

Classic and welcoming – with great sea views and excellent food

The 1st is famous for the periscope and blind drive. The 9th is a stunning par 3 along the coast, while the 13th features a stone wall that crosses the fairway and forces precise planning. The 11th, called “Sea Hole,” is as fun and beautiful as links golf gets.

Typical east coast mix – drier than the west but breezy. The course plays fast and firm, especially in late spring and summer. Be ready for gusts off the sea and sudden shifts in conditions.