St Michael's Golf Club

St. Michaels Golf Club in Fife, Scotland, is on Gallow Hill, a quarter mile west of St. Andrews. In fact, from its elevated location, you have great views over the river Eden to the town and bay of St. Andrews. You can see the shapes of the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse and adjacent famous buildings surrounding the Old Course.

But there's no reason to spend your time on a hill pining for another golf course. Michaels might not be St. Andrews, but it is a beautiful course in its own right. St. Michaels Golf Club lies on a prehistoric settlement that is protected by Historic Scotland. It's comprised of wooded park and heath land on an undulating well-draining sandy base.

The course is a par 70, measuring 5,563 yards in length. The challenges start on No. 1, a tricky 415-yard par 4. The length is deceptive, because it's uphill. Aim left of center onto a wide landing area. Your second shot should head right, because over the ridge, the fairway is sloped right to left.

If you're looking for a birdie opportunity at St. Michaels Golf Club, No. 3, named "The Mill," is a good place to start. The 341-yard par 4 is downhill all the way. Avoid the fairway bunkers on the right, and a decent drive will set you up for a 3. The front nine ends with the longest hole on the course, a 502-yard par 5. Strong players will have a shot at a birdie, though, if they can launch their drive past the marker pole and reach the start of the downhill portion of the landing area. Five bunkers protect the green.

No. 15 is the golf course's signature hole, named "St. Mike's," it's a 157-yard par 3. It's considered by many to be the most visually pleasing - and demanding - short hole in Fife. Avoid the large dip both to the left and rear of the green. Out-of-bounds is left and on the railway line behind. You might also want to avoid the front right bunker.

Visitors are welcome at St. Michaels Golf Club Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call or e-mail ahead for availability on Saturdays and Sundays. The club has a lounge bar and a dining room that can sit 70. There are also changing facilities and showers available.

Location: On A919 St Andrews to Dundee road. Five miles from St Andrews.