Scotland: The birthplace of golf, the land of legends, and home to some of the most iconic and challenging golf courses in the world. If you’re a golf enthusiast, a trip to Scotland isn’t just a vacation – it’s a pilgrimage.
Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland (A Glimpse)
St Andrews (Old):
The Old Course at St Andrews is considered the “Home of Golf,” featuring a historic links layout that dates back to the 15th century.
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa):
The Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry offers stunning coastal views and is renowned for hosting multiple Open Championships.
Muirfield:
Muirfield, home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, is a classic links course known for its challenging layout and rich history.
Royal Dornoch (Championship):
The Championship Course at Royal Dornoch features a natural links layout with stunning views of the Dornoch Firth.
North Berwick (West):
The West Links at North Berwick is famous for its unique design and historic stone walls, providing a classic links golf experience.
Carnoustie (Championship):
The Championship Course at Carnoustie is one of the toughest links courses in the world, often dubbed “Golf’s Greatest Test.”
Kingsbarns:
Kingsbarns Golf Links offers a modern links experience with breathtaking coastal views near St Andrews.
Castle Stuart:
Castle Stuart Golf Links is a stunning links course located near Inverness, known for its beautiful setting and strategic design.
Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie):
The Balgownie Links at Royal Aberdeen is a classic links course with undulating fairways and challenging dunes.
Trump International Golf Links – Scotland:
Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire features a dramatic links layout set amidst towering dunes.
Cruden Bay (Championship):
The Championship Course at Cruden Bay offers a unique and picturesque links experience along the Aberdeenshire coast.
Ardfin:
Ardfin Golf Course on the Isle of Jura offers a remote and breathtaking golfing experience with stunning coastal views.
Royal Troon (Old):
The Old Course at Royal Troon is a historic links course known for hosting The Open Championship and its famous “Postage Stamp” hole.
Prestwick:
Prestwick Golf Club is the birthplace of The Open Championship, offering a historic and challenging links experience.
Loch Lomond:
Loch Lomond Golf Club is a picturesque parkland course set on the shores of Loch Lomond, known for its stunning scenery and immaculate condition.
Gleneagles (King’s):
The King’s Course at Gleneagles offers a classic heathland layout with panoramic views of the Perthshire countryside.
Dumbarnie Links:
Dumbarnie Links is a modern links course on the Fife coast, featuring dramatic dunes and stunning sea views.
Western Gailes:
Western Gailes Golf Club is a traditional links course on the Ayrshire coast, known for its challenging layout and scenic views.
Machrihanish (Championship):
The Championship Course at Machrihanish is renowned for its famous opening hole and beautiful coastal setting.
Nairn (Championship):
The Championship Course at Nairn Golf Club offers a classic links experience with stunning views of the Moray Firth.
Machrie:
The Machrie Golf Links on the Isle of Islay is a historic links course offering a unique and scenic golfing experience.
Gullane (No.1):
Gullane No. 1 is a classic links course with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and a challenging layout.
The Renaissance Club:
The Renaissance Club offers a modern links experience with luxurious amenities and stunning coastal views near North Berwick.
Skibo Castle – Carnegie Club:
The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle offers an exclusive and scenic golfing experience with stunning views of the Dornoch Firth.
Gleneagles (Queen’s):
The Queen’s Course at Gleneagles is a beautiful parkland layout with challenging holes and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
Machrihanish Dunes:
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club offers a natural and rugged links experience with breathtaking coastal views.
St Andrews (New):
The New Course at St Andrews offers a traditional links experience with challenging holes and scenic views of the historic town.
Brora:
Brora Golf Club is a classic links course with stunning coastal views and a challenging layout designed by James Braid.
St Andrews (Castle):
The Castle Course at St Andrews offers a modern links experience with dramatic cliffs and stunning views of the North Sea.
Dundonald:
Dundonald Links offers a challenging links layout with natural dunes and scenic views of the Ayrshire coast.
Moray (Old):
The Old Course at Moray Golf Club is a classic links course with stunning views of the Moray Firth and challenging holes.
Panmure:
Panmure Golf Club offers a historic links experience with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Angus coast.
Elie:
The Golf House Club, Elie, offers a traditional links experience with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and a unique periscope starter’s hut.
Lundin:
Lundin Golf Club is a classic links course with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Firth of Forth.
Blairgowrie (Rosemount):
The Rosemount Course at Blairgowrie Golf Club offers a beautiful parkland layout with challenging holes and scenic views of the Perthshire countryside.
Archerfield (Fidra):
The Fidra Links at Archerfield offers a modern links experience with luxurious amenities and stunning coastal views near North Berwick.
Murcar Links:
Murcar Links Golf Club offers a challenging links layout with natural dunes and stunning views of the North Sea.
Boat of Garten:
Boat of Garten Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course set amidst the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
Duke’s St Andrews:
The Duke’s Course at St Andrews offers a challenging heathland layout with stunning views of the historic town and surrounding countryside.
Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce):
The King Robert the Bruce Course at Trump Turnberry offers a stunning coastal layout with challenging holes and scenic views of the Ailsa Craig.
Dunbar:
Dunbar Golf Club offers a classic links experience with panoramic views of the North Sea and a challenging layout.
Gullane (No.2):
Gullane No. 2 is a classic links course with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and a challenging layout.
Southerness:
Southerness Golf Club offers a challenging links course with stunning views of the Solway Firth and the Cumbrian hills.
Luffness New:
Luffness New Golf Club offers a classic links experience with a challenging layout and scenic views of the East Lothian coast.
Spey Valley:
Spey Valley Golf Club offers a stunning parkland course set amidst the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
Fraserburgh (Corbie Hill):
The Corbie Hill Course at Fraserburgh Golf Club offers a challenging links layout with natural dunes and stunning views of the North Sea.
Glasgow (Gailes Links):
Gailes Links Golf Club offers a classic links experience with challenging holes and scenic views of the Ayrshire coast.
St Andrews (Jubilee):
The Jubilee Course at St Andrews offers a challenging links layout with stunning views of the North Sea.
Ladybank:
Ladybank Golf Club offers a scenic heathland course with challenging holes and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Leven Links:
Leven Links Golf Club offers a classic links experience with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Firth of Forth.
Gleneagles (PGA Centenary):
The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a modern parkland course that hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Archerfield (Dirleton):
The Dirleton Links at Archerfield offers a classic links experience with challenging holes and stunning coastal views near North Berwick.
Montrose (1562):
Montrose Golf Links, established in 1562, is one of the world’s oldest courses and offers a traditional links experience with stunning coastal views.
Scotscraig:
Scotscraig Golf Club is a classic links course near St Andrews, known for its challenging layout and historic significance.
Monifieth (Medal):
The Medal Course at Monifieth Golf Links is a classic links course with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Angus coast.
Nairn Dunbar:
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club offers a challenging links course with stunning views of the Moray Firth and a scenic layout.
Irvine:
Irvine Golf Club, also known as Bogside, is a classic links course with challenging holes and scenic views of the Ayrshire coast.
Prestwick St Nicholas:
Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club offers a historic links course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Firth of Clyde.
Kilspindie:
Kilspindie Golf Club is a classic links course with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Firth of Forth.
West Kilbride:
West Kilbride Golf Club offers a classic links course with stunning views of the Isle of Arran and a challenging layout.
Crail (Balcomie):
The Balcomie Links at Crail is a classic links course with stunning coastal views and a historic layout designed by Old Tom Morris.
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance):
The Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews offers a modern links experience with stunning coastal views and a challenging layout.
Golspie:
Golspie Golf Club offers a scenic links course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Dornoch Firth.
Roxburghe:
The Roxburghe Golf Course offers a scenic parkland layout with challenging holes and stunning views of the Scottish Borders.
Peterhead (Old):
The Old Course at Peterhead Golf Club is a classic links course with challenging holes and stunning views of the North Sea.
Downfield:
Downfield Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Longniddry:
Longniddry Golf Club offers a classic links experience with a challenging layout and scenic views of the Firth of Forth.
Lanark:
Lanark Golf Club offers a classic heathland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Blairgowrie (Lansdowne):
The Lansdowne Course at Blairgowrie Golf Club offers a beautiful parkland layout with challenging holes and scenic views.
Fortrose & Rosemarkie:
Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club offers a classic links course with stunning views of the Moray Firth and a challenging layout.
Kilmarnock (Barassie):
Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club offers a classic links course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Ayrshire coast.
Crail (Craighead):
The Craighead Links at Crail offers a modern links experience with stunning coastal views and a challenging layout.
Kings:
The Kings Golf Course offers a scenic parkland layout with challenging holes and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
East Renfrewshire:
East Renfrewshire Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Newmachar (Hawkshill):
The Hawkshill Course at Newmachar Golf Club offers a challenging parkland layout with beautiful views of the Aberdeenshire countryside.
Bruntsfield Links:
Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society offers a classic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of Edinburgh.
Mortonhall:
Mortonhall Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Pentland Hills.
Fairmont St Andrews (Kittocks):
The Kittocks Course at Fairmont St Andrews offers a modern links experience with stunning coastal views and a challenging layout.
St Andrews (Eden):
The Eden Course at St Andrews offers a classic links experience with challenging holes and scenic views of the historic town.
Musselburgh:
Musselburgh Links, The Old Course, is one of the oldest golf courses in the world and offers a historic links experience.
Powfoot:
Powfoot Golf Club offers a classic links course with stunning views of the Solway Firth and a challenging layout.
Tain:
Tain Golf Club offers a classic links course with stunning views of the Dornoch Firth and a challenging layout designed by Old Tom Morris.
Askernish:
Askernish Golf Club offers a unique links experience with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and a challenging layout.
Moray (New):
The New Course at Moray Golf Club offers a classic links experience with challenging holes and stunning views of the Moray Firth.
Kilmacolm:
Kilmacolm Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Glenbervie:
Glenbervie Golf Club offers a classic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Ochil Hills.
Edzell (Old):
The Old Course at Edzell Golf Club offers a scenic parkland layout with challenging holes and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Meldrum House:
Meldrum House Golf Club offers a luxurious parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the Aberdeenshire countryside.
Reay:
Reay Golf Club offers a classic links course with stunning views of the North Atlantic and a challenging layout.
Glen:
The Glen Golf Club, East Links, offers a scenic links course with stunning views of the Bass Rock and the Firth of Forth.
Royal Burgess:
The Royal Burgess Golfing Society offers a historic parkland course with challenging holes and beautiful views of Edinburgh.
Duff House Royal:
Duff House Royal Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of the River Deveron.
Craigielaw:
Craigielaw Golf Club offers a modern links experience with stunning coastal views and a challenging layout.
Forfar:
Forfar Golf Club offers a classic heathland course with challenging holes and scenic views of the Angus countryside.
Ranfurly Castle:
Ranfurly Castle Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and beautiful views of the Clyde Valley.
Carrick:
The Carrick Golf Course offers a scenic parkland layout with stunning views of Loch Lomond and a challenging design.
Gullane (No.3):
Gullane No. 3 offers a classic links experience with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and a challenging layout.
Portpatrick Dunskey (Dunskey):
The Dunskey Course at Portpatrick offers a scenic parkland layout with stunning views of the Irish Sea and a challenging design.
Cathkin Braes:
Cathkin Braes Golf Club offers a scenic parkland course with challenging holes and stunning views of Glasgow.
Cawder (Championship):
The Championship Course at Cawder Golf Club offers a classic parkland layout with challenging holes and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Planning Your Scottish Golf Trip
Golf Packages: Many tour operators and resorts offer curated golf packages that include accommodations, tee times, and transportation.
Best Time to Visit: Scotland’s golf season typically runs from April to October.
Accommodations: Choose from historic hotels, charming B&Bs, or self-catering options.
Transportation: Consider renting a car for ultimate flexibility or explore train and bus options.
Beyond the Fairways
Scotland offers more than just exceptional golf. Explore historic castles, sample world-class whisky, savor local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Scottish people.
Golf Getaway’s Tips for the Ultimate Scottish Golf Vacation
Book Tee Times in Advance: Especially during peak season.
Pack for All Weather: Scottish weather can be unpredictable.
Learn the Local Rules: Links golf has its own unique challenges.
Experience the Culture: Don’t just play golf – explore Scotland’s rich heritage.
Conclusion
A golf trip to Scotland is a journey of a lifetime. With its legendary courses, stunning scenery, and rich golfing tradition, it’s a destination that will leave an indelible mark on any golfer’s heart. Golf Getaway is your trusted companion in planning the perfect golf vacation, ensuring you experience the very best that Scotland has to offer.
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