5 of the best golf courses in Scotland

Not only is Scotland the birthplace of golf, it’s home to some of its most esteemed courses. Here’s a pick of our top choices…

Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
One of Scotland’s finest link tracks, Balgownie offers a diverse 18-hole course with a number of challenges to test your technique. Meander through dunes and coastal plateaus as the changing winds add another dimension to the game. Panoramic views of the coast make this course well worth the visit – a must-stop for any golfer passing through Aberdeen.

Championship Course, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Just 45 miles north of Inverness, you’ll find another of Scotland’s most demanding courses. Undulating greens and sloping fairways mask some devilish run-offs to test even the most experienced player. Take to the challenge with breathtaking views of the silvery coastline to the north, or cast your eye inland to enjoy a captivating mountain backdrop – whichever way you turn, this 137-year-old club is sure to take your breath away.

Ailsa Course, Turnberry Resort
Brave the challenge of the sea wind at Turnberry Golf Club, a world-class course set along the craggy headland of the Ayrshire coastline. Ailsa is one of the most scenic Championship courses, having hosted four Opens since 1977. Adding to the challenge, the course was given a major facelift in 2015, updating and remodelling the trail to elevate its prestigious profile to an entirely new level.

Scotland Courses

Old Course, St Andrews
The iconic ‘Home of Golf’, Old Course at St Andrews is widely recognised as the oldest golf course in the world. Tackle famous landmarks such as the Swilcan Burn, Hell Bunker and Valley of Sin as you play in the footsteps of legendary golfing champions including Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods. A regular Open host, St Andrews is already booked to host the 150^th Open Championship in 2022.

Castle Stuart Golf Links
Perched on the banks of Moray Firth this acclaimed course, while being one of Scotland’s newest, has already secured a name for itself as one of the world’s finest – ranking in Golf Digest’s global top 100. With wide fairways, huge undulations and expansive greens, this 18-hole stretch provides an enjoyable and challenging game for both amateurs and professionals.