The sun was shining over Fife as I arrived at the course in September 2023, anticipation building with every step toward the Clubhouse. The building itself is a showpiece—modern yet warm, with sweeping views of the landscape that immediately set the mood for a memorable round. The welcome was spot-on; staff greeted us with genuine smiles, and the practice area was as inviting as any I’ve seen, promising a day of fine-tuned swings and hopeful putts.
But golf, like travel, is full of surprises—and not all of them are pleasant. Our experience with the starter was unexpectedly sour. Instead of the friendly banter you hope for at the first tee, we were met with a brusque, almost dismissive attitude that put a damper on our excitement. The tradition of a complimentary dram before the round was a charming touch, but it did make us wonder if the starter had been sampling a bit too liberally that morning.
The forecaddies, touted by the starter as the best in the area, were affable enough, but their advice on reading greens left much to be desired. By the fifth hole, we’d quietly decided to rely on our own instincts. It’s possible we caught them on an off day, but for a course of this reputation and price, expectations were understandably high.
As for the course itself, it’s clear that a tremendous amount of earth has been moved to create a dramatic, almost theatrical landscape—more reminiscent of Streamsong’s bold contours than the classic, windswept links turf you’d expect in the Kingdom of Fife. The fairways were immaculate, but the grass underfoot lacked that unique springiness of true linksland. The layout is good, challenging in places, but for me, it didn’t quite reach greatness. Given the premium price tag, I couldn’t help but feel it was a little overhyped for what it delivered.
Still, the weather was perfect, and the company even better. Golf in Fife is always special, with a wealth of world-class options nearby. For all its amenities and ambition, this course wouldn’t crack my personal top ten in the region. Perhaps our experience was an outlier, but with so many choices in the area, I won’t be rushing back.
