Golf Course Review

Scotscraig Golf Club in the seaside town of Tayport, Fife is located just 10 miles from the famous Old Course at St Andrew's.

The course could be called a hybrid links-heathland and is the 13th oldest golf club in the world! It was founded by members of what would become the R&A. The connection is still strong with Sctoscraig Golf Club used for Open Qualifying when The Open is at St Andrews.

Scotscraig Golf Club Architectural History

Founded in 1817, the course would be extended to 9 holes in 1893. The course was then extended to 18 holes in 1904. In 1923, James Braid would make the course more or less what it is today.

The Knoll Template Hole

It was James Braid who would create the 4th hole known as Westward Ho. The green was located atop a small hill or 'knoll' and the rest is history.

It may seem absurd that placing a green atop a raised done would be enough to cause CB Macdonald along with Seth Raynor popularised the concept in America. But remember, in context, most green sites would have been located in depressions and hollows to aid with rainfall collection. A deviation for the norm would have been more pronounced then than now.

Similar to the Knoll is the Volcano - essentially a Knoll on steroids and typically a par 3. These are found on many of Donald Ross' designs but the original may well have been James Braid's at Gleneagles Kings! Of course, there is conjecture and speculation as anyone who knows of Royal Dornoch and its greens could see where Ross may have found his inspiration.

Whether Westward Ho is the original Knoll or not, this dogleg par 4 is worth the journey a few minutes from St Andrews to see!

Golf Course Photography

Purchase photography of this course here.