Top Golf Courses in Scotland

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 1898. The... 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 coast. The Old Deer Park wall spans the... 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 into play at the... 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 Britain. Old Tom Morris,... 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 Donald Steel in the late 1970s, but he... 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 weaves its way along the Firth on... more

Gailes, Irvine, Ayrshire

Western Gailes is unusual layout in that the clubhouse is centrally located. The first four holes head north, the next nine holes head straight back along the coastline... more

Pilmour House, St Andrews, Fife

The Eden, a par 70, 6,195-yard lay-out running along the Eden Estuary, was the fourth course constructed at St Andrews in 1914 by Harry Colt. Easier than the other three links... 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, the... 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 a parkland and moorland setting... 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 fourth. While it is just... more

Kelso, Scottish Borders

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 Thomas to build this... 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 many who know and when you face the... more

Crieff Hydro, Crieff, Perth & Kinross

Culcrieff Golf Club at Crieff Hydro is undoubtedly one of Perthshire’s ‘hidden gems’ and is playable for the beginner or inexperienced golfer. The 18-hole parkland course... more

Blackwater, Isle of Arran, Ayrshire

Shiskine is a most unusual course. Originally nine holes designed by Willie Fernie it became 18 after Willie Park was commissioned to extend the course. Six of the new holes... 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 is one of the best - a terrific 390-yard par... more

Maidens Road, Turnberry, Ayrshire

Turnberry's second course Kintyre is Donald Steel's re-vamp of the old Arran course and opened for play in 2001 and it is much more than a make over. With some new land... 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 where gorse and heather line the... more

Ferntower, Perth Road, Crieff, Perth & Kinross

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

Maidens Road, Turnberry, Ayrshire

The Turnbury Ailsa course with superb views across to the Isles of Arran, Turnberry, with its distinctive and imposing hotel and lighthouse, is a delight. Unusually for a... 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 has all the characteristics of its... 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 one of the best... 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 1860 where it stayed until it... 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 located... 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 private members’ club that ranks... 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 rough and big... more

Pilmour House, St Andrews, Fife

The Castle Course is the seventh course to join St Andrews portfolio. Open to the public and ready for play in 2008. The course was designed by David McLay Kidd on a site... 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 it's a pushover. It's a question of plotting... more

Gailes Links, Gailes Road, 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 centre at Killermont in... more

Pilmour House, St Andrews, Fife

The Jubilee opened in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, is set on a sliver of land between the New Course and the sea. Has all the exacting and dramatic... 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 the... 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 is called the Westwater. Edzell is an inland... more

Chapel Road, Tain, Highland

With views across the Dornoch Firth, Tain's setting is dramatic with the estuary on one side and the mountains of Easter Ross on the other. John Sutherland revised the layout,... 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 Tom Morris made alterations in 1901... 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 of the world's largest bird... more

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 woodlands of Belleisle Park in Ayr,... 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' in the title.... 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 where accuracy is vital because... 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 Isle of Arran, and the short... 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 the Links has been described as one of... more

Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife

Located just seven miles south-east of St Andrews Kingsbarns is a must-play seaside links course which regularly features in top 100 golf courses rankings in the world.... more

CGLMC Ltd, 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 fashioned in 1850 by... 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 1838 and the full... 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 estate with ditches as water... more

Pilmour House, St Andrews, Fife

The Old course is the oldest and most famous stretch of golfing links in the world, running from the main street of old grey town, 6,721 yards, par 72. Some narrow fairways,... more

Ayr Road, Gailes, Ayrshire

Dundonald Links, situated only 40 minutes from Glasgow and 5 minutes from Prestwick Airport, on Scotland’s stunning Ayrshire coast, has quickly become recognised as one of... 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 course can take your breath... 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 the spectacular stretch of the... 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 links running along the shore of... 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 tees at each hole, the... more