The Lundin Golf Club was founded on the 8th May 1868 playing over land that was described at that time as being ‘benty, tussocky and ripe with whin’. Initially the links between the old railway line and the Firth of Forth were shared with Leven Golf Club, each club starting out from their respective ends until 1908 when the famous James Braid came to Lundin to plan out a new course. 18 holes were completed by the autumn of 1909 (as a cost of £143.2.6). Today Lundin Golf Club offers some of the finest examples of links holes in Scotland and is a worthy participant in the pre-qualifying stages of the Open prior to its staging at St Andrews.
While next door Leven Links is an excellent example of a pure seaside course, Lundin Links might suit more eclectic tastes. Firstly it opens looking down to the seashore from the tops of ancient dunes worn and consolidated through centuries of the elements and footfall of many generations of golfers. The undulations remain impressive and pronounced for the first four holes leaving shots little chance of an uninterrupted journey. It is not unusual during a mid-summer round to see a well struck ball make contact with the bare, bleached turf and take a 90 degree diversion off into the rough.
Be aware at the 4th of the hidden deep declivity just before the green laced by the Silver Burn. First timers seeing only the green can fall foul of this deep gorge and add several strokes to a promising start. Like a mirror image of its neighbour, Leven across the wall, Lundin takes a turn inland at the 5th, a short hole well defended by bunkers but this time mostly at its rear. The 9th is a long Par 5 of 555 yards off visitors’ tees and although sheltered by a rise to its right can be devastating in a headwind. The 10th is a quirky hole with little sight of fairway off the tees and a huge, doughnut-shaped bunker to the right. It is at the short 12th that Lundin changes character completely and rises onto a parkland plateau. The long 13th doglegs slightly towards a green that is obstructed by a stand of a dozen pines. This usually forces a lay-up to the right for entrance into the green.
Lundin’s homeward stretch is of a links nature but not as pronounced as the first holes. The climax is left to the last hole, a Par 4 of 442 yards with a long narrow green that can prove difficult to judge especially with a pin position to its rear. Like all links courses, Lundin plays differently according to weather conditions. Wind is the principal factor although different times of the year will dictate not only the pace of the green but their approaches and indeed the fairways themselves. Lundin offers some of the best examples of a variety of local conditions and is a worthy participant in the pre-qualifying stages of the Open prior to its staging at St Andrews.
Lundin Golf Club
Golf Road
Lundin Links
Fife
KY8 6BA
United Kingdom
Telephone:
Secretary: 01333 320202
Starter: 01333 320051