Top Golf Courses in Scotland

Doonfoot Road, Ayr, Ayrshire

Belleisle was designed by James Braid in 1927 and has developed into one of the best public courses in Scotland. Set in the middle of the... more

Golf Course Road, Rosemount, Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross

Blairgowrie, formed as a private members club in 1889, is situated in the heart of Perthshire countryside. In addition to the Rosemount and Lansdowne championship courses,... more

Nethybridge Road, Boat of Garten, Highland

Described as the hidden gem of the Highlands in an Alps-like setting, James Braid designed the 5,870-yard lay-out after the club started with six holes in... more

Golf Road, Brora, Highland

James Braid had the vision to create something of great beauty at Brora says Ronan Rafferty. Little has changed since his visit in 1923 and the... more

Dornoch, Highland

Skibo Castle's Carnegie Links are on the edge of the Dornoch Firth with amazing views of the Struie Hills. Peter de Savary bought the estate in... more

Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee, 20 Links Parade, Carnoustie, Angus

Arguably the toughest links course in Britain. The Open Championship has been held here on 7 occasions, most recently in 2007. The present golf course was... more

Balcomie Clubhouse, Crail, Fife

Crail's Balcomie Links is set along the Fife coastline and several holes run alongside the sea and and rocky outcrops of the Firth foreshore which come... more

Ferntower, Perth Road, Crieff, Perth & Kinross

Crieff is only an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow but is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of rural Perthshire. Built on gently sloping parkland in... more

Aulton Road, Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire

Cruden Bay is a classic Scottish links in every way and at 6,287 yards, it is by no means long but don't be fooled into thinking... more

Turnberry Avenue, Dundee, Angus

Set in stunning parkland on the outskirts of Dundee, Downfield is noted for the wildlife on the course with foxes, squirrels, deer, water fowl, ducks and... more

Barnyards, Banff, Aberdeenshire

Duff House was planned by James Braid in 1910 before Alister Mackenzie redesigned it in 1923. It is a flat, beautifully manicured parkland course with little... more

Craigtoun, St Andrews, Fife

Positioned in the United Kingdom's Top 100 courses by Golf World magazine, The Duke's St Andrews is now on many golfers 'Must Play' lists. Opened in... more

East Links, Dunbar, East Lothian

Dunbar East Links is situated on the estuary of the Firth of Forthc – a mixture inland turf and links on a slither of land along the... more

Ayr Road, Gailes, Ayrshire

Dundonald Links opened for play in 2003 and has already been recognised as one of the best new courses. Designed by the highly respected golf course... more

High Street, Edzell, Angus

The Old course at Edzell is set in 120 acres of ideal terrain. In 2001, an additional nine holes were laid out and the new course... more

St Andrews, Fife

Two cliff-top courses offering marvellous views over the River Tay and the old town of St Andrews from just outside the town run round the ultra-modern... more

Gailes, Irvine, Ayrshire

Glasgow Golf Club, founded in 1787, has two courses 35 miles apart. Old Tom Morris laid out the original parkland course five miles from Glasgow city... more

East Links, Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick, East Lothian

The sounds of the sea and birds follow you as the course snakes around a spectacular coastline overlooking the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock, one... more

Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

James Braid fashioned the Gleneagles Hotel King's course that opened in 1919 set in the splendour of the Perthshire hills in Scotland. It has matured into... more

Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

The PGA Centenary Course is a modern classic, combining the best of both the Queen's and King's, created in 1993 by Jack Nicklaus, with five different... more

Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

The Queen’s course, like the King’s designed by James Braid, opened in 1917. It passes through high ridges on the north and west sides of the... more

West Links Road, Gullane, East Lothian

No 1, the prime course of the three at Gullane, spanning 6,466 yards, par71, was designed by Willie Park in 1884, although golf was played over... more

West Links Road, Gullane, East Lothian

Gullane 3 is the shortest of the three courses – 5,252 yards, par 68, and the least expensive, two-thirds the price of Gullane 1. But it... more

Sandy Road, Bogside, Irvine, Ayrshire

Irvine begins with one of five par fours over 400 yards followed by short par fours at four and five which require accuracy on a course... more

29 Hillhouse Road, Barassie, Troon, Ayrshire

Kilmarnock (Barassie) founded in 1887, has been extended to 27 holes, the new nine known as the Hillhouse blend in perfectly. A par 72 Open qualifying... more

St Andrews, Fife

Kingsbarns is a sensational new course along 1.5 miles of scenic coastline near St Andrews featuring the best in links golf. Kyle Phillips, who constructed the... more

Gynack Road, Kingussie, Highland

Kingussie has spectacular views of the Cairngorms but it's not that difficult to walk with a couple of climbs at the fourth and eighth. The fairways... more

AnnsmuirLadybank, Cupar, Fife

Ladybank is regularly used as a Open Championship Final Qualifying venue when The Open is at St Adndrews (and again in 2010) and it's a course... more

The Promenade, Leven, Fife

Leven has been used as a final qualifying venue for the Open Championship at St Andrews and is a true seaside course. The older part of... more

Rossdhu HouseLuss, Alexandria, Argyll & Bute

Designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf in 1993 Loch Lomond, on the banks of the largest expanse of fresh water in Britain, is an exclusive... more

Aberlady, East Lothian

Luffness New is located on the A198 just past Aberlady heading east. The course, originally designed by Old Tom Morris, dates from 1894 despite the 'new'... more

Golf RoadLundin Links, Leven, Fife

Lundin has everything you'd expect from a links course - blind shots, loads of bunkers, out-of-bounds, great greens -and wind. There are several memorable holes on... more

Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll & Bute

Not to be confused with the nine-hole Machrie Bay on the Isle of Arran, Machrie was laid out in 1891 by Willie Campbell and modified by... more

Campbeltown, Argyll & Bute

Machrihanish has a renowned 18 hole links and a nine hole ladies course. It also has one of the best opening holes in golf according to... more

Kirknewton, East Lothian

Dalmahoy, a James Braid design in the 1920s adjacent to an 18th century manor house, now a Marriott hotel, boasts an East and West course in... more

The Starters Box, Princes Street, Monifieth, Angus

Monifieth Medal is the major of the two courses - the lesser is the 5,100 yard Ashludie, while 6,650 yard Medal course is used as an... more

Traill Drive, Montrose, Angus

Montrose Medal course is the fifth oldest course in the world and the course was unique in that it was played over 25 holes before Old... more

Stotfield Road, Lossiemouth, Moray

Moray is considered to be one of the finest links courses in Scotland. The Old course designed by Old Tom Morris, it has deep revetted bunkers,... more

Duncur Road, Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian

Muirfield, home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, on the East Lothian coast is a regular Open venue and one of the toughest links in... more

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

Murcar Links has undergone alterations recently which has stretched the layout to 6,560 yards. Originally designed by Archie Simpson and revised by James Braid, it is... more

Seabank Road, Nairn, Highland

Nairn is one of the most spectacular seaside courses in Scotland. The sea is in play on six of the first seven holes and the fifth... more

New Club House, Beach Road, North Berwick, East Lothian

North Berwick dominates the town, stretching above the beach on the Firth of Forth offering exquisite sea views across to Craigleith Island and Bass Rock. The... more

Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfries & Galloway

At the end of the Solway Firth is Powfoot, one of the area's best but least well-known courses. Laid out by James Braid in 1903, it... more

2 Links Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire

A plaque revealing that Prestwick, founded in 1851 as a 12-hole course with Old Tom Morris as “Keeper of the Green”, hosted the first Open in... more

Kelso, Dumfries & Galloway

At over 7,000 yards, the Roxburghe is a real championship test and has hosted several top events. The Duke of Roxburghe, an avid golfer, commissioned Dave... more

Links Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

Originally known as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, founded in 1780, the sixth oldest golf club in the world is a traditional out and back... more

Golf Road, Dornoch, Highland

Records show that the natural landscape that defines golf in Dornoch has hosted golfers since 1616 and the club, which was formed in 1877, has has... more

Prestongrange House, Prestonpans, East Lothian

Musselburgh Links is steeped in history - Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played here in 1567. The links was originally seven holes, with another added in... more

Craigend Road, Troon, Ayrshire

Think of Royal Troon, 7,079 yards with par of 71, stretching along the Firth of Clyde with spectacular views of the Ailsa Craig and hills on... more

Golf Road, Tayport, Fife

Scotscraig is only 15 minutes from the Old Course at St Andrews and displays much the same characteristics. The most memorable hole is the par four... more