A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Fife
St Andrews, Fife
Plate I — Links course — coastal exposure, firm running turf
9-hole beginner course at the Home of Golf. No booking, walk-in welcome.
From the Notebook
The Balgove Course is the Links Trust's 9-hole short course — designed specifically for beginners, juniors, and families who want to experience playing golf in St Andrews without the length or complexity of the full 18-hole layouts. Par 30, around 1,500 yards, with wide fairways and minimal rough. No handicap required, no booking needed; walk up to the starter and pay.
Green fee is £15–20 per person. Club hire is available at reasonable rates. For parents introducing children to golf, the Balgove provides the unique combination of a non-intimidating short course in the most famous golf location in the world — the Old Course is visible from the boundary, and the context of where you are adds a dimension that no municipal pitch and putt in a city park can replicate.
The Balgove is also genuinely useful as a practice venue for experienced golfers warming up before a round on one of the larger courses, or relaxing down after one. The greens are maintained to Links Trust standard, which means they play faster than most par-3 courses. It is, in short, a serious piece of golf infrastructure pitched at an accessible level — exactly what a world-famous golf venue owes its most casual visitors.
The Full Scorecard
Plan This Round
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Edinburgh (EDI) is 90 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
Most home contents policies don't cover golf clubs in transit. The picker matches you to the right kind of cover in two minutes.
Played here? Consider
Course-tuned recommendations, not generic gear lists.
Outerwear
Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.
Layer
Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.
Tech
Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.
★ The Sunday Post ★
One short Scottish-golf email every Sunday. Free PDF on signup: The St Andrews Week That Isn't the Old Course. No sales pitch.
The Sunday Post
One email, most Sundays. No sales pitch.
Stays Nearby
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of St Andrews. Tap any property to check rates.
Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.
Frequently Asked
Nearby courses
Read more about Fife
Spotted a wrong fee, a closed course, or a typo on this page?
Email us a correction →