Elie is one of the most highly regarded courses in Scotland and the historic links terrain effortlessly combines undulating fairways with large, fast and firm greens.
It also has some sensational views for golfers to enjoy and these play an important part in creating what is one of the most wonderful golfing experiences not just in Fife, but also in Scotland.
Indeed, Peter Thomson, winner of five Open Championships, calls Elie a jewel amongst Scotland’s elite courses, and says: “It’s quirky and it’s the most enjoyable course I know. If I had my way I’d build Elies all over the world.”
Elie is not a course that gives up good scores easily and the patient player that crafts their way around these cultured links will always fare better than the thoughtless golfer who tries simply to overpower them.
At 6,273 yards the course is not long, but its network of bunkers are beautifully placed to catch those that stray offline or misjudge their distances. This can be all too easy to do, especially as the prevailing south westerly breeze slackens or stiffens during the course of a round.
Elie’s quick and contoured greens add a further layer of protection and the manicured putting surfaces rank comfortably alongside the best in the country.
James Braid joined the Club aged fifteen and is said to have stated that a man in Earlsferry who does not play golf unless for good and obvious reason was a crank.
It was a nine hole course, then through a number of improvements was extended to eleven, then fourteen and finally through the golf designer skills of Old Tom Morris, four times winner of the Open, it became the eighteen hole course it is now in 1895. The score card shows that the course is 6273 yards long with just one par three in each half. There are no par fives but six of the par fours measure over 400 yards. With a classic seaside location, it is an invigorating, challenging course that will excite and inspire and bring you back to play again. Throw in the seaside breeze or stronger it will test you and require a range of shots to play to handicap as the holes run in different directions.