One of the world's oldest golf clubs, Crail Golfing Society was founded in February 1786 and initially comprised membership of just 11 local golfers. The club's original home was located at Sauchope just outside the picturesque fishing village of Crail and it was not until 1895, with the help of Old Tom Morris, that they relocated to their present home at Balcomie Golf Links.

With the hardships of the First World War, the local town council had to come to the rescue of the club when they took over the lease of the links, which they eventually purchased in 1924. And as with many Scottish courses, the links was requisitioned for military use during the Second World War but by 1946, golf at Balcomie Links was restored. Jointly run by both the council and the club for a time, in 1973 Crail Golf Club purchased the entire facility for the sum of ?30,000.

Crail boasts two links golf courses - the Craighead Links and the Balcomie Links. And while both are excellent tests, it is the Balcomie Links that is recognised as the slightly better layout. Even with a par of 69, the Balcomie Links at Crail is not particularly long but it is a truly beautiful venue with superb views of the sea from every tee. The course is always in immaculate condition and boasts crisp links turf and greens, which can become dangerously fast during the summer months. Far removed from the bustle of everyday life, many fairways climb and tumble alongside the water's edge and the rocky outcrops of the Forth shore.

As befits a classic links, each hole has its own character - a feature that always ensures a fascinating round of golf. The successive par fours at the 4th and 5th offer tempting shortcuts across the shoreline, with the latter aptly called "Hell's Hole", representing a fearsome 459-yard par four, where it's make your mind up time as to whether you try to carry the beach or take the sensible way around. Measuring less than 3,000 yards, the homeward journey offers some of the finest short holes anywhere and the memory of the back-to-back 13th and 14th will linger for a long time. Like many top courses, the last few holes will test the most accomplished golfer but no matter how well or badly you fare, you will remember Crail as a stunning golfing experience.

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Dundee airport is the nearest to Crail (25 miles) but it is small and offers only connections within the UK. Scottish Airways offers return flights to Dundee from London City Airport and Flywhoosh offers return flights from Belfast and Birmingham.

Edinburgh airport (51 miles) and Glasgow airport (94 miles) provide a wide range of UK and international connections. Car hire is available at both airports.

Aberdeen airport (94 miles) has direct connections to many European countries.

Prestwick airport (117 miles) provides connections to many European countries. Ryanair operates cheap return flights to Prestwick from London Stanstead.

Inverness airport (166 miles) is the farthest from Crail. It handles UK flights only.

EasyJet operates cheap return flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness from London Gatwick and to Aberdeen from London Luton.

Rail The main east coast line from London to Aberdeen passes through Fife. The nearest station to Crail is Leuchars (16 miles) but if you wish to arrange car hire then Dundee would be more convenient. The National Rail Enquiries website will help you plan your journey.

Road There are two main roads from England into Scotland. On the west the A74 crosses the border at Gretna, and becomes the M74 as it nears Glasgow. This would normally be the route used if you travelled up through England on the M6 motorway to Carlisle. On the east the A1 enters Scotland at Berwick-upon-Tweed and follows the coast round to Edinburgh.

Sea If you are travelling from Europe it is worth considering using the Zeebrugge to Rosyth car ferry. Rosyth is only 40 miles from Crail and provides an excellent central location for starting and finishing a trip to Scotland. This service is operated by Superfast Ferries. From Northern Ireland there are ferries from Belfast to Stranraer (169 miles from Crail), operated by Stena Line , and from Larne to Cairnryan (163 miles) and Troon (117 miles), both operated by P&O Irish Sea .