14 Best Scotland Golf Courses 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Golf is undeniably in style in the USA, with over 17,000 programs scattered throughout the nation and famend locations like Myrtle Seaside, Pebble Seaside, and Orlando. However golf within the States can’t fairly examine to taking part in 18 holes in the identical nation that gifted us the sport over 600 years in the past – Scotland.

House to a number of the oldest and most historic golf programs on this planet, a golf journey to Scotland is a bucket-list journey for even probably the most well-traveled golfers.

But, with such an enormous array of programs out there, selecting the proper one (or ten) to your Scottish golf journey will be daunting. Worry not, as we’re right here to simplify the choice course of. From programs steeped in centuries of custom to breathtaking surroundings that rivals any on this planet, these are the must-visit Scotland golf programs.

The Greatest Scotland Golf Programs

1. The Outdated Course at St. Andrews

St. Andrews

For generations, the Outdated Course at St. Andrews has stood as the final word vacation spot for golf lovers. Because the revered “House of Golf,” it options iconic landmarks which can be must-sees not less than as soon as in a lifetime. From the well-known “Hell Bunker” on the 14th gap to the picturesque Swilcan Bridge, each nook of this course tells a narrative.

With fairways which have endured 600 years of golf, it’s not possible to think about a extra significant place to play on a golf journey to Scotland than St. Andrews.

2. The Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry

Turnberry

This luxury vacation spot alongside the magnificent Ayrshire shoreline is without doubt one of the greatest golf resorts in Scotland. Lately ranked No. 18 in Golf Journal’s “Prime 100 Programs within the World,” the gorgeous Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry, certainly one of two 18-hole tracks on the resort, has hosted 4 Open Championships. Accompanying Ailsa is the King Robert the Bruce course that includes coastal vistas and the long-lasting Turnberry lighthouse, arguably golf’s most spectacular midway home.

3. Muirfield

Gullane

As a former member of the Open Championship rotation, Muirfield has remained largely unchanged since 1936, providing a hyperlinks golf expertise that’s as genuine because it will get in Scotland. Its timeless design offers golfers with a glimpse into the game’s wealthy historical past. With a storied previous that features internet hosting 16 Open Championships, Muirfield has witnessed a few of golf’s best moments and has been graced by legendary winners like Participant, Nicklaus, Trevino, Faldo, Mickelson, and extra.

4. The Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Membership

Dornoch

Established in 1877, the Championship Course and the Struie Course at Royal Dornoch epitomize traditional hyperlinks golf design. Set in opposition to the picturesque backdrop of Dornoch Firth Bay and its pristine white seashores, these programs supply a scenic and difficult {golfing} expertise.

The undulating dunes, the ever-present ocean winds, and the rolling fairways all create a real hyperlinks golf expertise, making Royal Dornoch a must-visit vacation spot in your golf journey to Scotland.

5. The Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Hyperlinks

Carnoustie

Carnoustie Golf Links is house to a few exceptional programs that promise an unforgettable expertise in your golf journey to Scotland: the Championship Course, the Burnside Course, and the Buddon Hyperlinks Course. Amongst these, the Championship Course stands out as probably the most acclaimed, having hosted eight Open Championships, one Girls’s British Open, and two Senior Opens.

6. Brora Golf Membership

Brora

Brora Golf Membership affords excess of only a hyperlinks course with gorgeous views. Based in 1891, this historic membership has retained its unique appeal and character, offering golfers with a really genuine Scottish golf expertise.

Brora is well-known for its conventional structure, with pure dunes, undulating fairways, and quick, true greens surrounded by rugged coastal terrain. The course will not be solely a check of ability but in addition a journey via thrilling landscapes, together with panoramic views of the North Sea and the gorgeous Highland surroundings.

7. Prestwick Golf Membership

Prestwick

Expertise the birthplace of The Open Championship at Prestwick. This historic course is steeped in custom, with lots of its unique options preserved, together with the notorious “Himalayas” bunker on the fifth gap. The course structure is a real check of ability, with strategic bunkering, undulating fairways, and rolling greens that demand precision and technique from gamers of all ranges.

Past the course, Prestwick is a residing museum of golf, with memorabilia and artifacts that inform the story of the game’s evolution. The clubhouse, relationship again to 1854, exudes old-world appeal and hospitality, providing a heat welcome to golfers from all over the world.

8. Gleneagles

Auchterarder

Gleneagles is without doubt one of the greatest golf resorts in Scotland. Three (and a half) distinctive programs converge at this resort, providing a golf expertise that garners international acclaim. Opened over a century in the past in 1919, The King’s Course makes even seasoned golfers second guess their membership selection and put their shot-making abilities to the final word check. The Queen’s Course, nonetheless, presents a quiet, secluded, scenic haven, attracting high golfers and A-list celebrities like Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Sean Connery, and Bing Crosby, to call a couple of.

To not be outshined by its royal predecessors, the PGA Centenary Course is an awe-inspiring 18-hole course designed by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus. It has hosted each the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup and boasts a number of the greatest views in Scotland.

9. The West Hyperlinks Course at North Berwick Golf Membership

North Berwick

Perched alongside the fascinating East Lothian shoreline, The West Hyperlinks Course at North Berwick Golf Membership is a treasure like no different. With a historical past relationship again to 1832, this course affords a singular hyperlinks expertise that has enchanted golfers for generations.

What units The West Hyperlinks aside is its exceptional structure, which blends seamlessly into the pure coastal panorama. Gamers are handled to panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and the long-lasting Bass Rock, creating a stupendous backdrop for a spherical of golf.

10. Kingsbarns Golf Hyperlinks

Kingsbarns

Having opened firstly of the twenty first century, Kingsbarns Golf Hyperlinks is the one Scottish course to be constructed on hyperlinks land in over 70 years. Each gap at Kingsbarns seems like a murals, with fairways that wind via dunes and alongside the rugged shoreline, providing panoramic views of the North Sea at each flip. The course is understood for its impeccable conditioning and meticulous design, offering a real check of ability for golfers of all ranges.

Along with its pure magnificence, Kingsbarns can also be drenched in historical past, with the structure incorporating components of the previous Kingsbarns course that when existed on the location. This fusion of previous and current provides to the course’s appeal and provides gamers a way of the world’s wealthy {golfing} heritage.

11. The Outdated Course at Royal Troon

Troon

Established in 1878, this storied hyperlinks course has witnessed the triumphs and tribulations of golf’s most interesting gamers, internet hosting quite a few Open Championships which have etched their names into the annals of {golfing} lore.

The Old Course at Royal Troon doesn’t simply have a championship pedigree, but in addition a singular character and design. The unpredictability of the Scottish climate provides a further layer of problem, guaranteeing that no two rounds are ever the identical.

12. Loch Lomond Golf Membership

Alexandria

Designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, this championship course is famous for its breathtaking surroundings and spectacular structure.

Opened in 1993, Loch Lomond Golf Membership has rapidly turn out to be probably the greatest Scotland golf programs. The course meanders via historical woodlands, alongside the banks of the loch, and affords gorgeous views of the encompassing mountains, creating a really magical setting for a spherical of golf.

13. Cabot Highlands

Inverness

Cabot Highlands is the latest addition to Cabot’s portfolio of world-class golf and communities. Positioned in Inverness, Scotland, amidst the gorgeous Scottish Highlands, the property has a wealthy {golfing} historical past. Previously often known as Fort Stuart, Cabot Highlands is house to the excellent Fort Stuart Golf Hyperlinks, designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse.

Whereas the Fort Stuart Golf Hyperlinks will stay unchanged, Cabot Highlands will increase with the addition of a second golf course, Outdated Petty, designed by Tom Doak and set to open in 2025. 

14. The Balgownie Course at Royal Aberdeen Golf Membership

Aberdeen

The Balgownie Course at Royal Aberdeen stands as a testomony to the purest type of hyperlinks golf. This course is a real check of ability, requiring golfers to adapt to the ever-changing situations of the rugged linksland. The entrance 9 holes are hailed as a number of the greatest on this planet, every presenting a definite problem inside a mesmerizing pure setting. As gamers navigate via the dunes and alongside the plateau, they’re handled to wealthy turf, tight rolling fairways, and an expertise that’s as exhilarating as it’s unforgettable.

Planning Your Go to to the Greatest Scotland Golf Programs

To take advantage of your Scottish golf journey, take into account these elements:

• Season: Scotland’s peak golf season is from April to October. Nonetheless, shoulder seasons supply nice climate and probably decrease costs.
• Ability Stage: Select programs that match your {golfing} skills to make sure an pleasurable expertise.
• Itinerary: Plan an itinerary that lets you play your required Scotland golf programs whereas exploring different off-course delights!

FAQs About {Golfing} in Scotland

Past the Inexperienced: Exploring Scotland

Scotland isn’t nearly golf! Improve your journey by exploring its wealthy historical past, vibrant tradition, and gorgeous landscapes. Go to historic castles, wander via charming cities, or pattern native whisky distilleries.

From iconic championship hyperlinks just like the Outdated Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Trump Turnberry, and Royal Dornoch to hidden gems and splendid resorts, Scotland golf programs ship on all fronts. So, pack your golf equipment, guide your tee occasions, and uncover the attract of Scotland golf programs.