Thornton Golf Club

The course sits just outside Glenrothes in Fife, a proper member-run outfit that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you'd find at some clubs. Eighteen holes across gently rolling terrain, well-maintained greens, and the kind of course design that rewards good shot-making rather than just length. It's not a championship beast - more of a proper test for mid-range golfers who know what they're doing.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Leven Beach is closest at six miles - you'll want to ring ahead and check what arrangements they have for visiting players. Some clubs are welcoming to holiday golfers with appropriate handicap certificates; others keep things tighter. Fair to say it's not the sort of place where you rock up and grab a round.

You're looking at a good four hours for eighteen holes here, maybe three and a half if the course isn't busy. The real draw isn't jaw-dropping scenery - it's solid, unpretentious golf in the heart of Fife. Golfers will absolutely get something from it; non-golfers should probably look elsewhere. The folks at Wigwam Holidays and Silverburn Park are close enough that staying on-site and popping out for a round would work fine if you're keen. Worth checking their websites first though - they sometimes have reciprocal deals with local clubs that'll save you money.