Golf Club Elie Review + News

Welcome to the many new subscribers.

If you have a Scottish golf trip this summer, expect fast and firm conditions! Scotland’s links golf courses have been turning brown thanks to the driest spring since the second world war. This week’s rain has certainly been welcomed by every course manager across the land.

Before we get into the bones of today’s newsletter and my first course review, a little message from our sponsor….yours truly. While still wee and sponsorless, I guess I can advertise my own five bedroom holiday rental overlooking Cruden Bay Golf Club.

With Cruden Bay’s 2026 tee times coming online in the coming weeks, there’s no better time to get in touch. (Perfect for 3-8 golfers)

Enquires: [email protected] 

A day of golf at Elie

Elie is always the first course I mention when asked by golfers about courses in the St Andrews region not called the Old Course.

Prior to my afternoon tee time, I arrived into the quaint seaside town, located 20 minutes drive from St. Andrews and headed straight to the bustling beach front. This must have been what St Andrews was like before the fame and chain restaurants.

A short drive down the high street leads you to a turnoff onto Links Road, a single track upto the golf club car park. A charming albeit hazardous introduction.

The charm continues as you make the short walk passed the 18th green which sits in the shadow of the clubhouse and in front of that, the 1st tee and starter pavillion.

The Club this year celebrates its 150th anniversary however they’ve been playing golf on the links here for a lot longer than that.

Much has been made of the submarine periscope that pokes out of the starter’s shed roof to ensure you’re clear to get your round underway. With a solitary par three on each nine holes and no par fives, it is testament to the varied nature of holes and routing that the course rarely feels repetitive or dull. At the relatively short 6,200 yards (par 70) Elie hits the quota for the perfect amount of golf.

Blind shots, public walking paths, dogs, heroic shots, creative approaches, firm turf. All the good stuff!

While Elie’s notirity like many “quirky” Scottish links has risen in recent years, it remains a traditional members’ golf club. As a result and as seen on my recent visit, this creates a nice mix of members and visitors conversing on the patio in some late evening spring sunshine.

Some visitor restrictions to note:

• For the second consecutive year the Club has restricted access in the summer to members/guests only from the middle of July for a four week period

• Earliest visitor tee times from 11am. No Saturdays

• A traditional dress code and mobile phone policy

2026 tee times

The Club have yet to open their tee times publicly but are holding requests on a first come, first serve basis and will do their best to accommodate. I spoke to the bookings manager Kim (she was great) who suggested those looking to play next year get in touch sooner rather than later.

Interesting to note the Club does offer a range of repeat round packages including four day and week tickets. A great option if you were to ballot for the Old Course every day perhaps?

Stay in Elie?

Finding lodging in Elie is always challenging as it remains a popular holiday town for well heeled Edinburgh residents and retirees. Most will take the day trip from St Andrews.

19th hole - bar

Located to the left of the fourth hole and a short walk from the clubhouse is the creatively named “19th hole” but don’t let that put you off. Golf clubs for door handles, golf memorabilia on the walls, PGA TOUR on the tv and locals at the bar. A nice change of pace to bustling St Andrews.

Reads, Listens and Links

• Part 2 of my Scotland golf travel podcast series with No Laying Up focused on East Lothian

• Prestwick Golf Club announced clubhouse redevelopment plans

• Machrihanish looking brown and beautiful

• St Andrews Old Course has a new logo?!

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Cheers, Ru Macdonald