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2.5
2 Reviews (2)
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4 Stars
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3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
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Conditions
4.5
Value
5.0
Layout
2.0
Friendliness
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
3.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
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About

Holes 9
Type Public
Style Links
Par 30
Length 1520 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A

The Balgove Course - nine holes, stretching to 2,085 yards - was opened in February 1972. It was to have a short life, for part of it was to be taken over in the 1989-90 remodelling of the Eden Course. The Links Trust gave a promise that a redesigned Balgove course would be constructed in the future. Plans for the new course were announced by the Trust in September 1990, showing that it was to have nine holes, a length of 1,700 yards and a par of 31.

The course was constructed at the same time as the new 18-hole course, the Strathtyrum, and it was opened on the 20th of June, 1993 at 5pm by members of the St Andrews Children's Golf Club. It had to be shortened slightly to 1,520 yards, and the par reduced to 30, but to children it was a real course with proper tees, greens and even two greenside bunkers. The old Balgove had been little more than a field, and the contrast was obvious.

In the event, the course proved so popular with adults as well as children, that the Links Management Committee had to introduce a special rule. During school summer holidays, adults could only play the course when accompanied by a child.

Directions: Directions from Edinburgh and the south to St Andrews: Travel north on the M90 over the Forth Bridge. Leave the Motorway at Junction 3 and follow the A92 to its junction with the A914 north of Glenrothes. Take the A914 to the next roundabout, turn right and continue on the A91 through Cupar to St Andrews.

Course Details

Year Built 1972
Golf Season Year round. High Season: 4/18 - 10/16
Architect Donald Steel (1993) Tom MacKenzie (1993) Martin Ebert (1993)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - £30 (over the age of 65/with a medical certificate)
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes - "St Andrews Links Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Appropriate golf attire

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Reviews

2.5
2 Reviews (2)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Perfect weather
Walked

Fun for a casual walk

Having been to St. Andrews a few times prior, this was the first opportunity I had to visit the Balgove Course. It's a very basic and flat 9-hole course with holes between 100 and 300 yards. It's fun to see all the juniors and families out there. After 18 on the Jubilee, we brought three clubs here to keep it interesting. The layout doesn't really have a memorable hole, they are all straightforward and designed for beginners with accessible greens. But the turf quality was just as good as the rest of the courses.

There is a little starter shed that is near the Eden Clubhouse which has more amenities. If you're in the area with your family and they'd like something more than the Himalayas and don't want to hit balls at the Academy, head to Balgove.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 55
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Golf Channel
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Enjoyable Afternoon Alternative

Walked over to the Balgove from the Rusacks after playing the Jubilee Course in the morning. What a great place for a leisurely 9-hole round with the kids or a 3-club challenge to settle bets with your buddies. The layout is very flat, so it would be interesting to see a bit more character, especially something that is more indicative of all the great shots you’ll encounter at the rest of the Links Trust courses. That said, we had a lot of fun and hit the Old Course Hotel for a pint on the walk back to town.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Easy
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Golf Packages

St Andrews Signature Golf Package

FROM $517 (USD)
ST. ANDREWS | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at The Albany Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at New Course at St Andrews Links, Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links, Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society, Castle Course at St Andrews Links and Leven Links Golf Course at Leven Links Golf Club.

St Andrews Value Golf Package

FROM $327 (USD)
ST. ANDREWS | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at The Albany Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at New Course at St Andrews Links, Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links, Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society, Castle Course at St Andrews Links and Leven Links Golf Course at Leven Links Golf Club.

Ireland’s Best of the North West Golf Package

FROM $347 (USD)
NORTHWEST IRELAND | Experience pure, rugged links courses with an authentic slice of Ireland with this package. Slightly off the beaten track, this package combines fantastic golf with incredible scenery and fantastic food that will give you a true taste of Ireland. Play one of Europe’s longest courses at Donegal Golf Club and admire the Atlantic Ocean at Rosses Point – this break is definitely for the more adventurous golfer!

The Complete Scottish Coast to Coast Golf Tour

FROM $577 (USD)
SCOTLAND| Starting on the South West coast, making a stop to experience the iconic home of golf at St Andrews and finishing down in North Berwick, this package is jam packed with three past and present Open Championship courses as well as a few hidden treasures along the way. Staying in 4 and 5* hotels along the way, this tour will offer you unforgettable golf, delicious food and sensational views as well as potentially the chance to play the phenomenal Old Course at St Andrews.

St Andrews, Highlands & Edinburgh Trilogy Tour

FROM $387 (USD)
SCOTLAND| A golf tour that allows you to experience the iconic Home of Golf at St Andrews, the spectacular golf of the Scottish Highlands and the historic city of Edinburgh is certainly not one to miss out on. Spend 4 days in St Andrews and take on the outstanding Old Course, then transfer to the highlands for some spectacular links golf at Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart and finish the tour in Edinburgh with a chance to explore the Scottish Capital.
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