Scotland
Ardgay
It is unfair to compare this little nine-holer in Bonar Bridge with its neighbors in Dornoch, Golspie or Tain. But we stayed for a week near to the course, and so one day I checked this place and well, I liked it. Somehow. Even if I am not sure, Peter Alliss' description as a «Mini Gleneagles» would come to my mind, too. I would not say it is worth a massive detour, but if you are in the area anyway: Why not?
Best hole is the 5th with typical heathland features like heather and Scots pines.
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Blairgowrie, Wee
With both the Rosemount and the Landsdown in the Top100 of Scottish golf courses the Dr. Alister MacKenzie influenced 9 hole Wee Course is not the reason why people will travel the 30 minutes from Dundee or 1.5 hours from Edinburgh to Blairgowrie. To be honest, when I played the Wee Course, it was because of my fear I could not make it back to Kenmare before dark (one hour driving mainly on single tracks in the fog). So I skipped my Landsdown tee time for a fast one one the Wee. Did I regret it? No.
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Brora
Some 15 Miles north of Dornoch, you will find this fine James Braid design from 1924. It might not be as famous as its Royal neighbour further south on the coast; still it is a great golf course and always big fun to play. It is the home of the James Braid society and also of a bunch of friendly cows and sheep who you will have to share the fairways with. Sounds strange? Well, not in Scotland.
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Cabot Highlands
This stunning modern links course designed by Gil Hanse and the late Mark Parsinen (opened in 2009) is highly ranked in all the relevant rankings and also in my own! The clubhouse is amazing and the views over the Moray Firth on almost all the holes are simply breathtaking. Play around the greens is crucial for a good scoring, because the layout punishes all bad approach shots immediately. What else? You might want to have a look at the weather forecast before your round. Good luck if you have to play on a breezy day.
Cruden Bay
It wasn't exactly a dream day in terms of the weather, but I would still describe my round on the Championship Course in Cruden Bay as one of my greatest golfing experiences to date. Boy what a place. The dunes are huge; the views are spectacular. And so was the amount of balls I have lost. Nevertheless, I would put a few of the holes on this course designed by Old Tom Morris in 1899 in my Top 20. The best hole? The 4th? The 5th? 13? Or 15? I have to go back to check.
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Cruden Bay, Olaf
have great memories of the St.Olaf course at Cruden Bay because I won a tiebreaker against my brother there. Apart from that, I remember St.Olaf especially as one of the best courses when it comes to the money you have to spend for 9 holes of pure entertainment. At £20 (£30 on weekends) it is a real bargain and – even if not the main reason for travelling one hour or so from Aberdeen – a great reason to extend your stay at Cruden Bay.
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Cullen
Cullen (famous for the «Cullen Skink» fish soup) is probably the strangest golf course I have ever played. Thank you, Old Tom Morris! «... this crazy par 63 course is different than anything I’ve played and worth a visit just for the novelty of it ...» Well, that's at least the opinion of Tom Doak who has included Cullen in its GB & IRE «Confidential Guide». What can I say myself? This course is really quirky. I have played it on a quiet February day. Not sure if I would enjoy all this criss-crossing holes and blind shots on a busy day. Have to give it a try.
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Royal Dornoch
I am a member at Royal Dornoch so maybe I am a bit biased when it comes to the Championship Course. In my opinion (and the opinion of almost every ranking capacity) this is one of the best golf courses in the world. The reason for this is quite simple: The Championship Course has it all. Great views, great holes and great hospitality. At £280 for the green fee it is everything but cheap, but if you compare it with other courses ranked in the worldwide Top20 it is a real bargain. A 100% recommendation.
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Dornoch, Struie
The Struie Course – named after Struie Hill, a famous landmark around the Dornoch Firth – is the second course at Royal Dornoch. Ranked in the Top100 of UK links courses, it is probably not the classical junior layout but which other second layout dates back to 1899? I am not the biggest fan of the Struie Crusie. Mainly because my golfing skills are to bad to play some of the tougher holes to my handicap and I am losing lots of balls there. On the other hand: Some of the best pictures at the gallery will be from the Struie.
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Dunbar
Dunbar is great. Founded in 1856, the club has a very classic Out and In design, meandering along a narrow strip of land between the old Deer Park wall and the coast. It is regularly one of the final qualifying courses for The Open and has hosted many other high-profile tournaments, including the inaugural PGA Championship in 1967. Of course, my skills aren't good enough for that, but they are for a wonderful Sunday in the best company.
Dundonald
Designed by Kyle Philipps (famous for Kingsbarns) in 2005, Dundonald Links is a modern resort golf course that has the essential elements of a classic links course, even if it is not directly on the shore and the sea is not visible, with a few exceptions. The fairways are relatively wide and there are practically no blind shots. The clubhouse is very impressive and the team in the pro shop and the starter are super friendly. Somehow, however, the spark just didn't ignite. But that could be down to me.
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Durness
Located in the far north-west of Sutherland, Durness GC may be a little out of the way, but it's well worth the miles of single-track roads you'll have to drive from Dornoch to get here. Opened only in 1988 as a project by a few golf enthusiasts, this lovely little course will spoil you with incredible views over the stunning Balnakeil beach and a spectacularly friendly welcome at the clubhouse. Will definitely return.
Elie
A 18 hole golf course with no par 5s and just two par 3s? Sounds strange but works very well at Elie, where golf is played since 1875. And what an amazing course. The fun starts already before you hit your first shot - when the starter uses a submarine periscope to ensure the fairway of the first is free. The fun continues all the way out of the village to the sea and back again. Best hole? Probably the 13th, James Braid called «the finest in all the country» and definitely not the 12th, where my tee shot cleared the 9th green before it came to a rest on the tee box of the 16th. I am wearing a fake beard since.
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Fortrose
According to its own advertising on the website, the very friendly Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club on a headland on the Black Isle near Inverness is the 15th oldest in the world (1793). That's old, I would think. And you'll look old if you don't hit a reasonably accurate shot here, because some of the fairways on the course (redesigned by James Braid in 1932) are quite narrow. Nevertheless, the round here was really fun. Even if I didn't see any of the dolphins, which are abundant in this part of the Moray Firth. I will return!
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Fraserburgh
The Fraserburgh Golf Club, some 40 miles north of Aberdeen, is the 7th oldest golf club in the world. The James Braid re-designed Corbiehill Course is true a links and ranked in the Top100 of Scottish golf courses. I could imagine why. It is great fun to play with no really weak holes. I played the course two days after visiting the 147th Open at Carnoustie with my brother in 2017. Do I remember any holes? Yes, the 16th, because I won the matchplay against my brother here.
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The Glen
The Glen, also known as North Berwick East Course, is a nice hilltop course only a stone's throw away from the famous West Course. I liked the great views of the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock. It is another James Braid design who together with his partner Ben Sayers in 1906, added 9 holes to the already existing 9 holes. Greatest hole? The par 3 13th, called «Sea Hole». Our local playing partner praised the hole as the Scottish version of Pepple Beach's 7th. Well, you know.
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Gleneagles, PGA
The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, designed by Jack Nicklaus is the third course at this stunning resort. Compared to the Kings and the Queens Courses, the PGA Course may lack of history. But who needs heritage at a course that hosted both the 2014 Ryder Cup and the 2019 Solheim Cup. I really enjoyed my round and remember best the par 4 second hole named «Wester Greenwalls» where I scored a birdie under the eyes of the Starter and one of the Pros. It was my only birdie.
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Gleneagles, Queen's
At 5.965 yards from the white tees the Queen's Course at Gleneagles might not be the longest, but don't get fooled by the numbers. This James Braid design from 1917, is everything then easy. A tough test, I would say. But still a fun one with some really adorable holes. Like all three layouts at Gleneagles the Queen's is multiple awarded and a safe number in the Top100 of Scottish courses. A really nice inland course.
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Glencruitten
It seems that James Braid is the designer I am searching for when playing in Scotland. The truth is: I could not care less. Nevertheless, the early 20th century Glencruitten Golf Course is another design by the five time Open winner I have played. I find the design very difficult with lots of blind shots and some crazy par 3's like the 17th where your tee shot needs to find an elevated green that is 184 yards away. No problem? I wish I could say this as well, but for me a green that is about 30 yards higher than the tee shot is: Difficult.
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Golspie
Situated between the true links at Royal Dornoch in the south and Brora in the north, this James Braid-influenced design from 1926 – the club itself dates back to 1889 – is a great mixture of links, heathland and parkland. The course is featured in the Top100 list and I understand why. Its great fun to re-adjust your play during a round for several times because the course characteristics change from classical links to typical heathland and back again. At £80 the green fee is modest and the pro shop team is very friendly. So, when you are planning to play Dornoch save some time for Golspie, too.
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Gullane, No. 2
Between Edinburgh and North Berwick you will find more than 20 golf courses within an hour of driving. Muirfield, Archerfield or Dunbar, to mention only a few, are all lined up like pearls on a precious chain. Right in the middle of the so-called «Golf Coast of Scotland» you will find Gullane Golf Club with its three 18 hole courses. We played Gullane No.2, a classic links laid out by Willie Park Jr. in 1898. Winds that day blew enormously, and so was the fun – searching for our balls in the rough.
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Kilspindie
The At just 5,494 yards from the back tees, Kilspindie is a relatively short course on the spectacular Lothian Golf Coast. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I had a great time. Even the two-club crosswind, which cost me three balls on the 2nd that sailed off the tee and fairway onto the beach, didn't change that. What else? Some of the greens are very close together and you have to be careful. At least when I'm playing.
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Lundin
The Old Tom Morris/James Braid course at Lundin is a regular final qualifying venue for the Open. The greens are lightning fast and the staff at the Lundin Pro Shop is amazingly friendly, making sure one could enjoy its round to the fullest. Did I? Yes. Somehow. The views over the Firth of Forth are simply stunning and so are most of the holes. Only that my driving (in the breeze) was not good enough to find all the fairways. I mean, I hit fairways. Like the 18th from the tee box of the 1st or the 11th when I played the 10th.
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Machrihanish
In his book "The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses", Tom Doak writes about the course designed by Charles Hunter in 1876 and later revised by Old Tom Morris: "One of my favorite destinations to get away from it all. Machrihanish has a remoteness and quality that are hard to match." I have nothing to add to this. However, I also agree with him about the quality of the back nine. Compared with the outward holes, they are a bit of a letdown. Do I care about it? No. Would I take the «Long and Winding Road» to Machrihanish to play the course again? Yes.
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Machrihanish Dunes
Designed by David Kidd in 2008, the Machrihanish Dunes course is a real godsend for the good people of Kintyre's south end, making the area a perfect destination for traveling golfers. A fantastic place that more than justifies the long journey. According to Tom Doak the course is the first built on a site of Specific Scientific Interest, whatever that means. What I can say: Kidd did a great job. The place easily makes it into my personal Top Ten. I was there on a lousy cold November day. I will come back. When my hands are thawed.
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Montrose
Willie Park Jr.'s 1903 Medal Course, now called "1562", has some very nice holes with views of the North Sea. My favorite hole is the third. A par 3 with a green on a dune plateau. A real card wrecker, I would say. According to the Montrose Golf Links website, the course is the fifth oldest in the world. According to my own experience, the clubhouse is the fifth ugliest in the world. I still thought it was great. Because it's so weird. And of course, and once again, because even in ugly clubhouses, Scots are just incredibly nice people.
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Moray, New
I had been warned. At the end of the summer of the second Corona year, the course designed by the famous Sir Henry Cotton in 1979 was in rather poor condition. And yes, the place has certainly seen better days. But, and this is an important but, the New is of course still extremely good for a second course. I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for the people in and around Lossiemouth that the course will recover. They would have deserved it.
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Royal Musselburgh
Situated in Prestonpans just outside Edinburgh, you will find this James Braid course with roots that date back to 1774.Compared with the Musselburgh Old Links – six times host to the Open between 1874 and 1889 – the Royal is of much lesser fame. Still, it is fun to play. And boy, have a look at the clubhouse, Prestongrange House, which once belonged to the Grant Suttie family. Surely one of the most impressive clubhouses in the whole of Scotland.I was a member there before I got the chance to join Royal Dornoch in 2016.
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Nairn
Founded in 1887, Nairn Golf Club consistently features in all the relevant rankings of Scottish golf courses. Now that I have finally been able to play the course myself, I can see why. It is simply extremely entertaining with few if any weaknesses. For fans of old Tom Morris and James Braid designs: Yes, both were involved in creating and improving the course and yes, that's what makes it so special. A definite recommendation and well worth the not-so-cheap green fee. Super helpful and friendly Pro Shop is another plus. Of many.
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Nairn Dunbar
Situated 16 miles east of Inverness and even closer to the Inverness Airport, the seaside resort of Nairn is gifted with two ««true links» golf courses. Nairn Dunbar is the one of lesser fame but still well worth the visit. I especially liked the holes around the turn. 7,8,9,10 and 11 are all beautiful and worth the green fee alone. So if you plan to play Castle Stuart or the Nairn Golf Club, have a look at Nairn Dunbar as well. It is worth it.
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Panmure
I played this gem of a links course while I was in Carnoustie to watch the Rory McIlroy's and Co. during the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2022. The day will find its way in the history books as one of the worst ever to play golf. In fact, the weather was so bad that I had the whole course on my own. And so the clubhouse and the pro shop and the car park. Everything. But even in these conditions this seven time final qualifying venue for the Open was fun. Well, kind of. Favourite hole? Clearly the par 5 14th. Birdied it!
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Peterhead
Peterhead is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world with a history that dates back to 1841. The Old Course was first designed as a 9-holer in 1892 by Willie Park. In 1909, Archie Simpson added the additional 9. The course is placed in the Top100 of Scotland's courses, and even if not all holes are great, some are really fantastic. I remember especially the 7th hole, called «The Valley» where you have to play your drive from a massive dune down to, you guess it, a valley. What else? I lost the match against my brother there.
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Reay
Think of the most remote place you can imagine. But also one of the most beautiful, except for the nuclear power plant around the corner maybe: This is Reay Golf Club, another James Braid design. It's northernmost 18 hole course on the UK mainland with some really great holes. My favorite: The dramatic 7th. A par 3 called Pilkington, which mercilessly punishes any shot that doesn't land on the green.
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St Andrews Kittocks
It may not be a links course, and the choice of world-class courses in the region may be daunting, but I have to say I really enjoyed the Fairmont Hotel's Kittocks Course. As a quick round after a day of walking the city's famous links, I found the cliff-top course extremely entertaining. Even funnier, though, were the completely overplayed Americans who squeezed the course in as one of six in three days. Whoever likes it.
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Tain
Tain Golf Club was founded in 1890 when Old Tom Morris laid out the first 15 holes. Yes, the one and only Old Tom Morris. Compared to its neighboring course across the Dornoch Firth in Tain everything is a little less spectacular. Still, it is well worth to play, and some of the holes are really, really good. The guys in the pro-shop are extremely friendly and very helpful for any question regarding the original layout or the history of the club. Another plus: Tain is also the home of Glenmorangie Distillery. Just saying.
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Mains of Taymouth
Mains of Taymouth is a 5-star country estate in the highland town of Kenmore, Perthshire. The golf course belongs to the classy hotel but you do not have to stay there – also this is a clear recommendation. My memories of the 9 holes are very limited, so I checked the website of the club for more information. Here is how they describe the course: «Opened in 1992 on converted farmland in the heart of Highland Perthshire, by the banks of River Tay. The design of the golf course follows natural contours on a landscape that is unbelievably perfect for a golf course.»
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Woodlands Glencoe
The Woodlands Golf Course, formally known as The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course, is a fun to play 9-holer located near famous Glencoe. Golf.com features the layout in its «50 best 9-hole courses in the world» and for Bunkered magazine it is the «Best 9-hole course in Scotland.» More than the design of the course, I remember the stunning area. The mountains, the woods, the sweet beauty of Loch Leven: Here you will find pure highland magic. You have your sticks with you? Perfect.
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