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Scotland Golf Courses
West
Royal Troon (6641 yds. Par 71)
Frequent host to the British Open, Royal Troon is consistently ranked as one of the World's best links courses. It was created by the hand of Willie Fernie, one of the great early British golfers in 1878.
A classic links course in every respect, the golfer is eased into the challenge with each hole appearing to get progressively tougher. Narrow fairways lined with trouble make tee shots critical, its bunkers
are punishing and Troon's small greens require touch and imagination. Running straight out and back along the coast, Troon often changes dramatically from front nine to back. Its sister course, The Portland Course, is also a fine links.
Old Prestwick (6544 yds, Par 72)
Founded in 1851, the setting for the very first Open, this is one of the best known and most distinguished clubs in Scotland. The Club is situated just half an hour south west of Glasgow on the famous golfing Ayrshire coast. A stretch of land unequalled anywhere in the world for prime golfing terrain. Prestwick is every sense a true seaside course with traditional links turf.
Western Gailes (6833 yds, Par 71)
Western Gailes is as fine a true links course as can be found almost anywhere in the British Isles. Like all Scottish links courses, the weather plays an important part in every round of golf. When the wind blows at Gailes, the long stretch from the 6th to the 13th is not only a trial of skill and strength, but something of an endurance test as well. If not for its more famous neighbors, Western Gailes would be renowned the world over as being the finest links course in western Scotland. As it stands, many golfers will tell you it's the best.
Turnberry Ailsa (6848 yds, Par 71)
Long regarded as one of the finest courses in the world, polls now regularly acknowledge the Ailsa as one of Britain's top three courses. Confirmation that gives it eminence worldwide, with regular rankings within the world's top 20 courses. The scenic glories of the Ailsa Course are to be savoured - the granite dome of Ailsa Craig, the low form of the tip of Argyll and the peaks of Arran highlighting the changing patterns of light and shade. Closer at hand, the lighthouse, and the ninth's lovely back tee are other symbols of Turnberry, the hole's title adding an historic echo.
While on the west coast, you will also find the following courses of championship caliber:
Glasgow Gailes (6535 yds, Par 72)
Glasgow Gailes course is owned and managed by Glasgow Golf Club, the 9th oldest golf club in the world. Less than an hour from Glasgow, Gailes is a challenging links course – tough and traditionally Scottish – consistently selected by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews as a final qualifying venue for the Open Championship. Gailes lies in the heart of Scotland’s Ayrshire Golf coast. The Clubhouse and facilities offer an ideal venue for enjoyable golfing including an extensive practice area, a Professional’s shop and high quality catering.
Dundonald Golf Course (6107 yds, Par 69)
The Dundonald Course, is like the Barassie Links a composite of the new nine holes and the other nine holes from the traditional course. The combination shortens the course to 6107 yards from the White Tees. The Dundonald is known locally as "the Winter Course" . The course still offers a very challenging Par 69 with one par five and four par threes - three of these on the front nine.
Barassie Golf Club (6484 yds, Par 72)
This is a really first-class seaside course, always maintained in excellent condition, which harmonizes well in an area so rich in good golf. It is very challenging and the length of the holes, as seen on the scorecard, in no way indicate their demands as seen on the course. The fairway bunkers are well placed for errant shots and the greens are immaculate.
Westerwood Golf Course (6616 yds, Par 72)
Designed by Seve Ballesteros, this undulating course has impressive views in all directions. Each hole meanders through silver birches, firs, heaths and heathers, offering different and exciting challenges to every class of golfer.
Machrie Golf Course (Isle of Islay) (6292 yds, Par 71)
Willie Campbell originally laid out the course in 1891. Apart from a few changes made in the 1970s, the course remains very much the same as when Willie Campbell first constructed it all those years ago. Thus it is a traditional link course. Indeed, the Machrie's main claim to fame is its own Open Championship of 1901, which included the 'Great Triumvirate' of Harry Vardon, John Henry Taylor and James Braid. There are many reasons why you should play The Machrie, not least because of the stunning views over the bay, the fact that you can walk out of the hotel and onto the course and for its remarkable history.
Machrihanish Golf Course (6225 yds, Par 70)
The course has always been admired for occupying charming and particularly romantic linksland made more beautiful by its enigmatic isolation. Suffice it to say that Machrihanish offers a series of fourteen holes the likes of which you will find nowhere else. These include a multitude of intriguing blind shots across the most appealing undulations, to immaculate greens kept by a crew of four and the nurturing temperate winds of the Gulf Stream.
Southerness Golf Course (6566 yds, Par 67)
Southerness Golf Course was designed by McKenzie Ross, and built in 1947. This is a true Championship Links course. The course is situated on the Solway coast giving panoramic views of the Solway Firth, the Cumbrian Lake District to the south, and the Galloway Hills to the west. The terrain is level allowing for easy walking with no hills to climb.
Lochgreen Golf Course (6822 yds, Par 74)
Lochgreen, which has also been used as an Open qualifying course, measures a demanding 6,822 yards and a par-74 from the tips. The layout is predominantly links-style, but several mainland holes and a stretch of inland holes dubbed the "dovecot section" offer shelter from the wind.
Brunston Castle Golf Course (6800 yds, Par 72)
This is a Donald Steel designed parkland course located in a wooded area and built either side of the river Girvan. The Burns Course is sheltered by the rolling South Carrick Hills, this scenic course is speckled with mature trees and roundels. The course, challenging from the championship, is testing and engaging from the members’ tees and excites golfers of all levels.
North
Cruden Bay (6370 yds, Par 71)
Designed by Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews, and opened in 1899, Cruden Bay offers an internationally famous golfing experience – old fashioned links golf at its best – on one of the best links courses in Scotland, and last year was place at No. 52 in the world by “Golf Magazine”. Cruden Bay Golf Course creates unique challenges demanding the skills of power, placement and fine judgment upon the discerning golfer. Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, a visit to Cruden Bay will be a most memorable one.
Nairn (6556 yds, Par 71)
This Traditional Scottish Golf Links Course was created on the shores of the Moray Firth from a Highland wilderness of whins and heather, and tests the talents of professional and amateur alike. Founded in 1887, it is now one of the best courses in Scotland, and hosted the 1999 Walker Cup. The configuration of Nairn is such that the course gets progressively more difficult as you go round. This makes it a very difficult course to score on. Good scores just gradually peter out as you hit the dangerous homeward stretch.
Royal Dornoch (6556 yds, Par 71)
This is undoubtedly the most important and intriguing golf course in the area and has been rated by Golf Monthly as the best course in the U.K. and one of the six best in the world. This is praise indeed and a fine tribute to a beautifully designed layout, which is scrupulously fair and an exciting challenge.
While in the highlands, we also highly recommend the following courses: Inverness (parkland), Royal Aberdeen (links), Moray (links), Golspie (links), Elgin (links), Boat of Garten (parkland), Skibo Castle (parkland), Brora (links), Tain (links).
Central
Gleneagles (Kings) (6452 yds, Par 71)
The King’s Course, opened in 1919, is a masterpiece of design which has tested the aristocracy of golf, both professional and amateur. When Lee Trevino first played the King’s he memorably remarked: “If Heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee times left.” Selecting the right club for each approach shot is the secret on the King’s. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and exhilarating places to play golf in the world.
Gleneagles (Queens) (5964 yds, Par 69)
Threading through high ridges on the north and west sides of the estate, the Queen's offers lovely woodland settings, lochans and ditches as water hazards, as well as many moorland characteristics. At 5192 yards long, the challenge of the first nine can be deceptive, with even some of the best players finding it a test to make par into a fresh southwesterly breeze. In its long history, it has played host to some of the world's golfing greats. The beautiful settings and the challenge of the golf have attracted many top golfers.
Gleneagles (PGA Course) (7060 yds, Par 74)
The PGA Centenary Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a modern classic, combining the best of both earlier designs. Even for a champion and acclaimed golf architect like Nicklaus, The PGA Centenary Course was a challenge. A feature of The PGA Centenary Course is the feast of views of the spectacular countryside in which Gleneagles is set. Putting on the two-tier second green, you are distracted by the lush panorama of the rich Perthshire straths.
East
St. Andrews Old Course (6933 yds, Par 72)
Handicap Limit – Men: 24, Ladies: 36. The oldest golf course in the world has many remarkable features which help make it so special to golfers around the world. It is the Home of Golf where golf was first played 600 years ago and yet it remains a real test of golf for today's champions. Despite its reputation and status, it is a public course. The course is known for its particular physical features including 112 bunkers, some of which are especially famous e.g. 'Hell' on the long 14th, 'Strath' on the short 11th and the Road Bunker at what is probably the most famous golf hole in the world, the 17th or Road Hole (so called because a road - which is in play - runs hard against the back edge of the green). The Old Course’s truly remarkable feature is that in today's modern golfing world, a course which has evolved over six centuries, remains a true test of championship golf.
St. Andrews Jubilee Course (6805 yds, Par 73)
Created on a narrow strip of land between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee was originally a 12 hole course intended for ladies and beginners, the Jubilee was eventually extended to an 18 hole format. In 1988 the re-design of the Jubilee to championship standard was carried out by Donald Steel of Cotton, Pennink, Steel & Partners, golf course architects. It is the longest course at St. Andrews and now has the reputation as the toughest links course. It is also used regularly for championship events. Other courses at St. Andrews: The New, The Eden, and The Strathtyrum.
Dukes (7171 yds, Par 72)
Designed by five time Open winner Peter Thomson, The Duke's Course is situated two miles inland from St. Andrews, on land surrounding Craigtoun Park. In its elevated parkland setting, with majestic views over St. Andrews.
Kingsbarns (7110 yds, Par 72)
Located directly on the North Sea coast only six miles from St. Andrews, Kingsbarns is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking links courses ever developed. Kingsbarns Golf Links is a real one of a kind and contrasts with Scotland's other famous links courses in that it is a new, man-made development. The sea figures prominently on every hole and one's senses are continually pricked with the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean spray. The links boasts spacious fairways, which roll and twist through majestic dune ridges and hollows, while it's large inviting greens present the golfer with subtle challenges.
Carnoustie (7272 yds, Par72)
Regarded by many including Walter Hagen and Gary Player as one of the best links in the world, Carnoustie, though certainly long, is not a course for the unthinking big-hitter. With judgment of wind and distance critical, every tee shot needs careful placement to set up an approach to the green. Whilst there may be little dramatic background scenery, the beauty of Carnoustie is to be found in the golf course itself. The layout is such that no two consecutive holes face the same direction, a factor that does nothing for the golfer in finding their rhythm in the face of often-stiff winds. Carnoustie's famous burns that snake their way around the course - Jockie's Burn and the Barry Burn represent two more obstacles to posting a respectable tally.
St. Andrews Bay Devlin Course (7217 yds, Par72)
Bruce Devlin's experience and expertise have provided the Devlin with its innovative and exciting character. It is a truly magnificent 72par, 7,049 yard championship course that sweeps its way along the rugged seaside landscape. This as yet, undiscovered gem begins by innocently easing the golfer into a false sense of security, offering wide, well manicured fairways that wind around man-made water features and risky bunkers, teasing the golfer with a mix of par fours and fives.
Crail (5720 yds, Par69)
Crail Golfing Society celebrated their bi-centenary in 1986 hosts two courses. The Balcomie, the shorter of the two, is an unusual course in that the holes have been laid out with the front nine containing six par fours and the back nine only three. There have also been some interesting names given to the holes, such like Fluke Dub (4th), Hell's Hole (5th) and Lang Whang all good Scots names. The 5th Hell's Hole does live up to its name, with the decision to be brave and chance the ball over the rocks and beach or just to play safe. Onto the last few holes you will find their challenge are only made more daunting with knowing that the onlookers from the clubhouse will be watching our every stroke.
Muirfield (6970 yds, Par 71)
Handicap Limit – Men: 18, Ladies: 20. Muirfield is the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and is the most exclusive golf club in the U.K. Founded in 1744, the existing course is designed in two loops of nine holes. Players have a constantly changing battle with the wind, and the beautifully constructed bunkers (over 150 in total), which never allow a bad shot to escape, are a great feature of the course.
North Berwick (West Course) (6315 yds, Par70)
Measuring 6317 yards, it’s no monster in length, but such is its trickery that it demands a full repertoire of shot making. Founded in 1832, the club is one of the oldest in the world. Former Prime Minister, Lord Balfour, was captain here in 1891-92. Every hole is memorable - there are blind shots across the bay, and bunkers in which you can disappear from sight. It is great fun and a real test of skill.
Gullane No. 1 (6466 yds, Par 71)
Gullane Golf Club was founded in 1882, the golf courses here, of which there are three, are linked as one. It offers championship quality links courses with dramatic views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh and Fife. The 3rd hole was recently voted one of the top 500 holes in the world by Golf Magazine (USA). The world famous view from the highest point of the Course on the 7th tee across the course and over to Edinburgh, Fife and way beyond is worth the green fee alone. With every hole having its own distinct character, the Course is both memorable and enjoyable.
Dunbar (6426 yds, Par 71)
On the journey south from Gullane, nestled along the rocky shore a few miles northwest of St. Abb's Head, lies another of East Lothian's fabulous seaside links.
The East Coast of Scotland is certainly responsible for the birth of the game of golf. Other highly notable courses to be played in this area are: Montrose (links), Panmure (links), Leven Links, Lufness New (links), Ladybank (heathland), Letham Grange (moorland), Scotscraig (links).
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