Aberdour Golf Club

Aberdour Golf Club, in Fife, is located 30 miles south of St. Andrews, on the shores of the River Forth. Aberdour was founded in 1896 but didn't start developing a golf course at its current location until 1905. Starting as a nine-hole course, the other nine were added in 1914. Today, the 18 holes cover 5,460 years, spread over land overlooking sea cliffs and on raised beaches.

If you have a habit of slicing, Aberdour won't be a day at the beach. It rewards those who shoot straight and long. A number of holes even run along the River Forth, with views of Edinburgh across the way.

The course begins with two par 3s, not that it's an easy start. The first hole, named Bell House, is 155 yards from an elevated tee down to a rocky promontory. The second, named Firs, is 155 yards, starting from a rocky platform and shooting across a bay to an elevated green set into a steep hillside. The longest hole is the 10th - Ash Tree - the only par 5, 513 yards, starting with a slight dogleg from right to left. If you can get off a good second shot past the marker, you're left with a straight pitch.

Aberdour Golf Club welcomes visitors throughout the year. Tee reservations for parties can be made directly with the club manager. Starting times are 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sunday times are 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors are not accepted on Saturdays. The course has a clubhouse overlooking the River Forth and the Riverside Lounge.