Balgove Course

The Balgove Course sits right alongside the Old Course at St Andrews, which means you're playing on grounds that have hosted golf for over 600 years. It's a proper par-27 nine-holer - designed specifically for beginners and younger players who aren't ready for the full championship experience. The holes are short, the fairways forgiving, and there's genuine charm in learning the game where legends have played.

You'll spend anything from 90 minutes to two hours out here, depending on your group's pace. The course is managed by the St Andrews Links Trust, so standards are high without feeling pretentious. Families love it because kids can actually hit decent shots and feel the pressure (in a good way) of playing a "real" course. Beginners get a proper taster of links golf - firm greens, sea breezes, that particular Scottish firmness underfoot.

It's not free - you'll pay a green fee - but the cost is reasonable for what you're getting. Book ahead, especially during peak season. What makes this work for a caravan holiday is location. You're minutes from Craigtoun Meadows or Cairnsmill, both solid parks with families who want to get out without stress. After nine holes, you can head back and let the kids loose on the putting green at your pitch, or grab lunch in St Andrews town centre a short drive away. The course sits between the famous Old Course and the easier New Course, so you get proper St Andrews golf without the intimidation or the four-figure green fees.