Leven Links is based in the town of Leven in the East Neuk of Fife around 30 minutes from St Andrews and about an hour from Edinburgh. Perfect for a visit en route to or from the Home of Golf, Leven offers a quintessential example of traditional links golf. Expect tight turf, fine grasses, blind tee shots, gently undulating fairways , firm greens and – almost always – a sea breeze from Largo Bay.
Leven is one of the oldest links courses in Scotland. In fact, it is thought to be the very first course in the world to feature 18 tees and 18 separate greens.
While golf has been played at Leven since 1820, the game dates back to 1846 on parts of these links with the current configuration dating back to 1909. One of the very oldest pieces of golfing land anywhere in the world, the links has certainly stood the test of time. In fact, it is a six-time Open Championship final qualifying venue and it stretches to in excess of 6,500 yards from the back tee.
What is most important is the nature of the ground upon which it is built. A combination of winds and tides during a time when sea levels were falling combined to produce a series of parallel dune ridges which give Leven its remarkable landforms.
At the par-5 13th, the tee box is raised above the adjacent 12th green to allow for spectacular views of the links and back towards the town. The course has an equally famous neighbour – Lundin Links – from which Leven Links parted in 1909 after the former was taken over.
Only a modest dry stone wall separates the two courses with tee boxes either side of it at one point. If a golfer were not paying attention they could certainly play to the wrong par 3 flag.
Leven arguably saves the best until last with a closing hole that is famous throughout Scotland. At 456 yards, it is as tough as they come, with the Scoonie Burn – Leven’s answer to Carnoutie’s Barry Burn – winding its serpentine way in front of the green. It effectively makes this hole a lay-up for many golfers, especially if the wind is into the golfer’s face.
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