Elie now officially recognised as the third oldest course in the world

The right to golf in Elie and Earlsferry has recently been dated to 1589 when a royal charter was passed granting the villagers permission to use the Elie and Earlsferry Links, making the course the third oldest in the world behind the Old Course at St Andrews (1552)

The earliest records of an official course layout date to 1770 and mention and short and long course. Parts of the current golf course are located on this land.

1787 Elie and Earlsferry (1589) – Scottish Golf History