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Golf and Elie have gone hand in hand for over 400 years, with golf dating back to the 1500s in this Scotland town. The Golf House Club itself was founded in 1875 and got its name because it was the first club in the area to have a formal clubhouse. The course, largely designed by Old Tom Morris in 1895, spills out from the town to an epic links land on the Firth of Forth. The intricate routing weaves through the property, delivering four epic reveals of the sea on the third, sixth, 10th, and 15th holes. This stunning plot of land makes it one of the most beautiful settings not just in the Fife area, but all of Scotland.

Beyond the natural beauty, Elie features a distinct hole configuration with 16 par 4s, two par 3s, and a yardage that tops out at just 6,273 yards. By merely looking at a scorecard, some might call this course a pushover or find it redundant. Elie keeps interest by exacting a challenge through its inter-hole variety, a diverse topography, and challenging design features.

The course was instrumental to the development of the great James Braid, a Scottish golf legend who grew up playing Elie. Braid would go on to win five Open Championships and design some of the UK’s finest golf courses, including Panmure, Carnoustie, Brora, and Dunbar.

While Elie is not highly regarded by typical course ranking lists – likely due to its lack of championship history, a denomination that carries a strange weight in golf circles – it is a must-see in the Fife area if you’re interested in playing an authentic links course filled with quirks and adventurous shots. 

Key Information

Periscope. In the starters hut is a periscope which was a part of the Royal Navy’s HMS Excalibur. It allows the starters to see above the massive hill that players hit over on the first hole to check if the fairway is clear of players. Recently the club has installed cameras to give an easier view, but it’s worth asking to look through the periscope and check out the holes ahead.

The 19th hole. Stop by the pub adjacent to the 17th green called “The 19th Hole.” Locals often grab a beer before playing the 18th hole or go down and visit after the round.

Vacation town. While it’s not as bustling as nearby St. Andrews, Elie is an idyllic Scottish town that is a vacation home for many. This is not a terrible place to stay in Fife if you want a little quieter locale and a great beach.

‍Lay of the land greens. This is one of the oldest courses in the UK and the idea of green building was rudimentary. It’s amazing to see what some of the greens yield. Beware of gravity at Elie as eight or so greens pitch away from players.