The Course- History
Ladybank Golf Club was established in 1879. The architect of the original 6-hole course, Old Tom Morris, played in the Autumn Meeting that year as a ‘stranger’ and won despite his handicap of +3 strokes. In 1910 a circular 9 holes was formed with the holes varying in length from 330 to 400 yards with ‘two short sporting’ holes at the fourth and seventh. A further 9 holes were laid down in 1958 and incorporated within the existing course in 1961 to form an 18 hole course.
A new Clubhouse was built in 1971 with the existing building becoming the present-day Proshop. The year 1978 was a landmark year for Ladybank with nomination as a venue for Open Championship Final Qualifying. The course of today is still a severe examination of the professional’s course management skills. For lesser mortals this is a challenge to relish with accuracy off the tee more important than length.
During the past twenty five years a galaxy of stars has graced the turf including, Darren Clarke, Justin Leonard, Bernard Langer, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam and the late Payne Stewart. The Club proudly displays pictures of two honorary members, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros, playing in an exhibition match over the course in 1983.
Golfers From Early in the clubs HistoryThe present Professional record holder is Paul Affleck having scored a 65, on the altered course, to equal the score set by Mark Brooks in 1995 Local heroes include George Will, a Ryder Cup player, and Dale Reid, O.B.E., a leading lady golfer and now forever remembered as Captain of the victorious European Solheim Cup team at Loch Lomond in 2000.
Bookings - Visitor Rules
We welcome Visitors Monday to Friday: 9:30 - 12:00 am and 1:15- 4:00 pm
Sunday by arrangement with the Secretary. info@ladybankgolf.co.uk
Visitor Qualifications
Visitors must be members of recognised Golf Clubs or societies and must be affiliated to a Golfing Union. Handicap certificates may be requested.
Advance Bookings
Although the Professional will endeavour to accommodate casual visitors it is recommended that you make advance bookings through the Office. You will be expected to pay a deposit, which is non returnable in the event of cancellation and forfeited if a reduction in numbers is not notified at least 7 days prior to the date of your visit.
Temporary Members
Visitors are given the status of temporary members for the duration of their visit and accorded the privileges of the course and Clubhouse. Names and addresses of pre-booked visitors will have been previously notified but casual visitors are required to sign the ‘Visitors Book’ on entering the Clubhouse.
Green Fees
Green fees must be paid to the Professional prior to the commencement of play - the settlement of party bookings is the responsibility of the organiser.
Hire - trolley/club/buggy
Trolleys may be hired from the Professional on a round or day basis - with limited availability it is essential that you pre-book clubs and/or buggy.
Play on the course
Slow play destroys the enjoyment for many players. Visitors, like everyone else, are expected to maintain a reasonable pace. As a guide, a 3 ball game should take a ‘maximum’ of 3 1/2 hours to complete. Players are expected to watch the pattern of play, both in front of and behind their own game, and must give way if they are holding up the match following their own.
Format of play
Medal play in 2 or 3 balls only - prior consent is required for all 4 ball groupings.
Ladybank Dress Code - Smart casual
NO denim jeans, football/rugby tops/shorts, collarless tee shirts, track suits or trainers (on the golf course). NO mobile phones in the Clubhouse Lounge/Dining areas or golf course. Club employees have been instructed to enforce the above.
Meals
All meals should be booked in advance, either through the Office or direct with the Caterer on 01337 830320.
Links with History
Links With History in Fife is an affiliation between Ladybank, Scotscraig, Crail and Lundin Links golf clubs. All these clubs share in a great tradition of golf dating back to the 18th or 19th centuries in all cases. They also share in being of superb quality which will offer a great golfing experience to those who visit Fife to play golf.
Links with History offers a unique booking arrangement that allows easy access to the four courses at a discounted rate. Golfers may choose to book either 2 or 3 or 4 rounds when making a booking. Each round booked would be played at a different club.
For more information and bookings please call +44 (0) 1333 360555 or email bookings@linkswithhistory.com or visit www.linkswithhistory.com
Scotscraig Golf Club (www.scotscraiggolfclub.com)
Scotscraig has been used as a host for final qualifying for the Open when it is held at St. Andrews (10 Miles to the South) and this is well deserved as it offers fine links golf with smooth fast greens. Despite its proximity to the sea the course is far more parkland in nature with its rolling fairways and trees.
The Club was founded in 1817 as a 6-hole course, and after meager beginnings was extended to 18 in 1905. In 1923 James Braid was called upon to further improve it and since then the course has developed into the fine links which exists today.
The links contains many memorable holes, not least the par 4 fourth which, although not long, provides a formidable approach shot in over heather to a plateau green which can prove a very elusive target.
Crail Golfing Society (www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk)
Crail is the 7th oldest golf club in the world. It was founded in 1786 by 11 local members. Its original home was a short distance from where it presently resides at Balcomie Golf Links, which Old Tom Morris chose for one of his finest creations. The club has an interesting history including being used by the military during the Second World War. But since those times the club has prospered and become an outstanding golf course (Especially now an extra 18 hole championship course has been added to complement the Balcomie).
The course is situated 11 miles South of St. Andrews and although its not particularly long it is a truly beautiful venue with superb sea views. The course is always found in immaculate condition and boasts some of the quickest greens about in the summer.
This classic links provides holes with real character which makes it such a joy to play. For example the 5th (aptly named "Hell's Hole") offers a tempting shortcut across the shoreline, which must usually be taken if you wish to reach this 459 yard hole in 2. The course has a tough finish including back-to-back par 3's which linger long in the memory. But no matter how well you fared it will be remembered as a stunning golfing experience to be savoured.
Lundin Links Golf Club (www.lundingolfclub.co.uk)
Lundin Golf Club was founded in 1868. The land that the links lies on was originally shared with the neighbouring Leven Club. However in 1908 extra ground was made available and work began on James Braid's new setup, which is the course we play today.
Lundin is a course well renowned for its quality, and like Ladybank and Scotscraig has been used as a final qualifying course numerous times. It also hosts annually the 72 hole East of Scotland Amateur Strokeplay Championship, which the club was the prime mover in establishing.
Lundin is located just east of Kirkcaldy and within easy access of both Edinburgh or St. Andrews and when you arrive you are in for a treat. The course measures 6394 yards and is best described as a mix of links and parkland, predominantly the former. There is a disused railway line which runs through the course and remains a very threatening out of bounds area at a number of holes. One of the most memorable holes is the aptly named 14th ('Perfection'). At 175 yards it is a super par 3, and from the tee you can see the clubhouse, and every green and tee on the course. It looks over the Firth of Forth and the hills to the east of Edinburgh. The hole then drops down to the level of the rest of the course making clubbing very important. The course is a thorough (and enjoyable) test of your golfing ability, and is a treat to play.