We are met by an alien sight when we step into the Starter’s Hut – a u-boat periscope. Questions abound – are we dreaming, aren’t we on land? Then we remember even if we have suppressed it – 2012 the racetrack links at Great Yarmouth – the 7th hole had a gigantic wooden periscope. Obviously any links course of note should have a periscope constructed at the docks not just a simple bell, red/green lights or maybe a TV monitor. Next time we want to see post tubes along the ridge – Martin Hawtree are you listening?? On the tee an army of juniors is waiting with shorts and black knee-length socks. A juniors’ tournament, or more accurately a world championship in wild swings. LINKS75 follows the last ball. The Starter raises the periscope to check the coast is clear before taking us out on the 1st tee and pointing distinctly to the back tees and dryly divulges that a little left of all sighting markers gets the best results on the course’s 16 par 4s and two par 3s. A links course without par 5s.
Double flags at Elie
We head towards the opening marker post with new-found confidence and of course we hit right and have to search in the elephant grass. The course twists in amongst buildings before we head towards the sea. Already on the 3rd we have to stand and cool our heels waiting for the juniors. Some hang their heads while others search frenetically for lost balls. Behind us a 5-ball comes steaming like a locomotive. It is a foursome with an extra player that gets to make the first putt on all the greens. Just what we need. The fairway is wonderfully summer-burnt and stone hard. We strike brand new slices for the 2013 season.
10th, Elie
After the opening nine and a number of sighting markers we stand on the 10th, which resembles the 1st but without periscope. The group in front of us disappears behind the sighting markers and we strike our balls in their putting line. We are on the green with the juniors – impressive but not exactly links protocol. The 11th – a par 3 – is short with the sea behind your back. We hit onto the green and sink a long putt for birdie. The 12th is a wonderful par 4 with the entire bay and beach forming a long banana-like curve towards the green. We have time to think of the fades we can achieve with low angled shots before we focus and land two perfect balls in the fairway. The group behind applauds. The 14th – with waiting sheep paddocks to the left – has big signs that inform that one can go and fetch one’s white gold at one’s own risk. The evening approaches stealthily – a wonderful backdrop towards the sea. On the 16th – a par 4 – in the slope behind the green, the local kids have rigged up a gigantic slide. For a brief moment we contemplate showing how a Swedish ski slope should be negotiated. Nevertheless we continue into the soft evening light with the winner of the 4-ball slowly wandering ahead of us towards the horizon and a cold Belhaven.
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