Scotland

West

Royal Troon
(6641 yds. Par 71)
Royal Troon is a classic links course in every respect. The British Open has been played here 6 times. This is a men's only course, but its sister course, The Portland Course is open for all visitors and is itself a fine links .

Old Prestwick (6544 yds, Par 72)
Prestwick was founded in 1851 and was the setting for the first 12 British Opens. Its original layout has not changed much over the years, as witness to it's often controversial blind shots.

Cruden Bay (6370 yds, Par 71)
A fearsome seaside links course set amongst the dunes, with magnificent views over the Bay of Cruden. Cruden Bay's greatest charm is its remote seclusion and the feeling you have it to yourself.

Nairn (6556 yds, Par 71)
With 6 of the first 7 hotels bordered on the right by sea, Nairn immediately sets a harsh tone for the day. The back nine, deplete of water hazards, has an inland appeal to it with attractive, yet penal gorse as its main defense.

Royal Dornoch
(6556 yds, Par 71)
Dornoch has few eccentricities. Originally laid out by Tom Morris, the present championship course is a supreme example of modern links in which nothing is hidden.

While in the highlands, we also highly recommend the following courses: Inverness (links), 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)
Golf at Gleneagles Kings Course is a rare experience. The course is open and expansive unlike the links courses on the coasts. Every hole seems to be a world of it's own, running along its own private valley.

Gleneagles (Queens) (5964 yds, Par 69)
Slightly shorter than the Kings, The Queens makes more use of doglegs, and provides the golfer with the same exquisite scenery as The Kings.

Gleneagles (Monarch) (7060 yds, Par 74)
Using 6 par 5's and 6 par 3's, Jack Nicklaus designed a strikingly beautiful golf course, one of the very few golf courses in Scotland that makes use of electric carts.

East

St. Andrews Old Course (6933 yds, Par 72)
Universally recognized as the home of golf, The Old Course is virtually an out and back course. Without wind, it can lay down and play very easy. However, with a bit of wind, it will show it's defenses, and true character.

St. Andrews New Course (6604 yds, Par 72)
The best of "the other" St. Andrews Courses, which include The Eden, The Jubilee, 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.

Muirfield (6970 yds, Par 71)
Officially known as the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, this championship course is widely recognized as Scotland's best, if not fairest test of links golf. Its constant change in direction of holes often exaggerates wind conditions.

North Berwick (West Course) (6315 yds, Par70)
The West is full of blind shots, shots over walls, and shots found only at the seaside. It's challenge is much more ancient than modern. The course is great fun, and a stout test of golf.

Carnoustie (7272 yds, Par72)
Of all the championship links, Carnoustie is the most severe. On the five occasions that is has hosted the Open, it has produced champions of the finest caliber, including Ben Hogan's only appearance in 1953. Venue of the 1999 Open.

Gullane No. 1 (6466 yds, Par 71)
No. 1 provides striking vistas from elevated tees such as the 7th. Often a qualifying course for The Open, Gullane No. 1 (pronounced Gull-in) provides for an exhilarating round of golf. The Nos 2 & 3 are also very fine golf courses.

Crail (5720 yds, Par69)
Perched on the edge of the North Sea on the very point of the golfing county of Fife, The Crail Golfing Society's course at Balcomie is picturesque and sporting.

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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