Scotscraig Golf Club, Tayport

13th Oldest golf club in the world.  Unlucky for some. It is an Open finalist course which will have broken a few hearts.  Imagine winning through the first round or two and then being tested by this one.  It is knotty and nuggety, gnarled and unforgiving.  Get through this one and, if you are not drained, you can take on any of the Open venues.  Unfortunately, I had a stinker.  Not knowing whether I was going left or right off the tee was one thing but not being able to compromise occasionally and go down the middle more often was not helpful. 

The fourth hole gains a lot of plaudits as a cleverly conceived dog leg with a green like a pinnacle rock in a sea of trouble.  But that is not to say that the unending contortions of the following fairways weren’t equally mesmerising.

Lots of trees which you won’t see at an Open give it an eerie peacefulness that belies the twists, humps and hollows.  And a fair amount of gorse or whins.  It lies a little inland but bar a few of the closing holes it felt like true links.  I happened to find a few monkey puzzle trees and a heron.  People who stick to the fairways have far less fun.  There is great variety in the course with testing holes across all the pars and when I am more in command of my game I would like to play it properly.  A tough start to a week at St Andrews. 

Huge thanks to all who keep the course in such good shape and to those who allowed me to pay my green fee to Alzheimer’s Society.  It is a much appreciated donation.  Thank you