SCOTLAND EAST
St. Andrews Old Course
Regarded as the birthplace of the game, this historic test of golf includes holes honoring the likes of Bobby Jones and Tom Morris, and has been the site of numerous British Opens and other championships. The course was originally recognized via Royal Charter to lie on the commons of St. Andrews as early as 1140, and survived King James II of Scotland’s edict of 1457 that declared golf banned. The golf course is quite playable on a calm day as the course is wide and contains expansive double greens, but becomes a major challenge on windy and foggy days with the strategically placed pot bunkers. Rated #5 in the world by Golf Magazine.
St. Andrews New Course
This classic links course was constructed in 1895 and uses the natural features of the land to create a first class golfing challenge. The course is a traditional out and back layout, and has, in the great St. Andrews Scotland tradition shared fairways and two double golf greens. The demanding iron play necessary to negotiate this layout, due to narrow fairways and numerous sand traps is a tough challenge on a windy day. Many players feel that this course is tougher than the Old, and just as scenic.
St. Andrews Jubilee Course
One of 4 sister courses to the Old Golf Course of Scotland, and incorporated into the same property, this course was constructed in 1896 and was originally laid out as a 12 hole course that runs parallel to the bay. This tough course is slightly shorter than its famous neighbor, but certainly more narrow and more affected by the wind from the ocean. Many consider these 18 holes as possibly the toughest of any of the 99 holes within this famous golfing complex.
St. Andrews Dukes
Designed by five times British Open Champion Peter Thompson, this course is a classic inland Scottish golf course. Its beautifully sculpted holes exploit the natural features of its stunning parkland setting. Situated in an elevated site, the course enjoys spectacular views of the town and bay of St. Andrews. The length of this course requires an accurate long ball to score.
Kingsbarns
The Kingsbarns golf course features dramatic sea views from each hole. Although considered a "new" course in the St. Andrews area, the golf heritage dates back to 1793. The majority of the golf holes are directly along the shoreline, and numerous holes require shot among rolling hills. This course is destined to become one of the great challenges in Scotland, and many major tournaments are now scheduled for this site.
Carnoustie Golf Club
Ben Hogan proclaimed victory here in 1953, and Tom Watson was the class of the field in 1975. The site of the 1999 British Golf Open, Carnoustie is regarded as the most difficult of the Scotland championship courses. This course has hosted 6 previous British Opens, and its length and dangerous rough and bunkers require the most demanding of shot making. Seven of the par 4’s exceed 400 yds. in length. Once on the greens, the undulations and treacherous speed assure a most challenging 2 putt. Rated #22 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Muirfield
Opened in 1891, this is the oldest private golf club in the world. One of Scotland’s best, this golf course is also considered possibly the most fairest. The difficulties of the course lies on the windy days, as many of the holes exemplify the wind with mounds that develop unpredictable swirls. The constant changes in hole direction creating the unpredictability of wind shots do not allow the golfer the opportunity to become comfortable with his consistency. Another previous great British Open course. Rated #8 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Gullane No. 1
This golf course has provided many a test for golfers attempting to qualify for the British Open, particularly when the event is played at neighboring Muirfield. As much of the course is set on bluffs, the views of the Firth of Forth are awe inspiring, and the surrounding Scotland countryside striking.. This challenging course is hilly in nature, and the narrow fairways are as challenging as any other Open qualifying course. The greens are renowned for their speed and undulations.
North Berwick
A challenging links golf course, the layout includes stone walls from the early 1800’s that tries a golfers patience due to the resulting blind shots to many greens. The course is located in the center of the town of North Berwick Scotland, and especially affected by the winds swirling off of the scenic bay. Ball placement is at a premium at this lovely and stoic ancient golf course. Founded in 1832, this is one of Scotland’s oldest.
Dunbar
Another seaside links course, this property combines many of the qualities of North Berwick and Gullane #1. The course contains 6 holes that front the ocean, and the course length requires long shot making to fast greens. The striking view of St Abb’s Head, as well as panoramic views of other islands in the mouth of the Forth and the coastline of Fife. Founded in 1856, this golf course also serves as a qualifying course for the British Open.
SCOTLAND WEST
Royal Troon
Walter Hagan was the first American to win the British Golf Open here in 1922, followed by Arnold Palmer in 1962, Gene Sarazen in 1973 and Justin Leonard in 1997. This Scotland site has hosted previous British Open’s a total of 7 times. Founded in 1878, the course is world-renowned for the sinister pot bunkers, as well as the “Postage Stamp” Par 3, No. 8. Although the hole measures a mere 123 yds., depending on the wind the club of choice will range from a wedge to a 3-iron. One of Scotland’s most heralded and difficult links courses. Rated #34 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Troon Portland
The sister golf course to Royal Troon and incorporated into the same property, this course is shorter but requires an exacting game as well due to the narrow fairways. This course is generally played after your round on Royal Troon and a complimentary lunch at the luxurious Ailsa Suite of Royal Troon clubhouse, and completes your 36 holes of golfing pleasure without leaving the premises.
Troon Lochgreen
This excellent public golf course has been used as a qualifying course when the British Open was held at Royal Troon. This course favors long hitters, and requires precise irons to small, quick greens. Although there are not many bunkers, the ones dotting the course are steep and demanding.
Old Prestwick Golf Club
Founded in 1851, this site hosted the very first British Open in 1860. In addition, this golf course held the next 11 British Opens until the decision was made to offer other British Isle courses the same golfing honor. Famous for the treacherous Cardinal bunker which stretches the width of the 3rd fairway, this course is perhaps the most testing of all, particularly due to the tremendous amount of controversial blind shots and extremely deep rough.
Western Gailes
This demanding links layout has hosted qualifying rounds for the British Open championship, as well as the Curtis Cup and P.G.A. Championship. Founded in 1897, this course favors long accurate hitters, as the fairways are lined with heather, and the massive sand dunes boarder many of the holes near the ocean. Many consider this as possibly the toughest links layout in Western Scotland.
Turnberry Ailsa
Greg Norman and Nick Price have claimed victories in the British Open here, as has Tom Watson in 1977as a result of his come from behind duel with Jack Nicklaus. The golf course sets on an immaculate piece of property, and is considered the Pebble Beach of Scotland. There is a sense of ruggedness, as many of the holes are directly adjacent to the beach. There may be no finer greens elsewhere in Scotland. The 9th hole, a mere 455-yard par 4 is considered one of the most spectacular holes in golf. Rated #19 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Turnberry Kintyre
The sister courses to the championship Ailsa course, and incorporated into the same property, this course is slightly shorter than its famous neighbor, but certainly considered as challenging due to the proximity to the ocean and the unrestricted wind velocity. The course winds itself through massive spreads of prickly gorse, demanding a most accurate tee to green shotmaking ability. The conditioning of this course is likewise immaculate, and completes a 36 hole golf day in dramatic fashion
SCOTLAND CENTRAL
Gleneagles (Kings)
Designed by five time British Open winner James Braid, this inland course is one of the most beautiful in the world. Requiring long and accurate tee shots, many of the fast greens are elevated and well bunkered, requiring accurate short irons. The views are spectacular, with rock faced mountains to the North, green hills to the South and peaks of the Trossachs and Ben Vorlich on the Western horizon. Every hole is unique in character, and has hosted many major championships.
Gleneagles (Queens)
This course, although shorter than the Kings, offers a spectacular woodland setting, lochans and ditches as water hazards and many moorland characteristics. The course has numerous doglegs and strategically placed bunkers. The woodlands claims many an errant shot, and deep rough can be devastating. Many of the games best have challenged this wonderful course.
Gleneagles (Monarchs)
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this is the longest inland course in Scotland. The sheer length is a challenge in itself, and the greens are fast. There are numerous trees, doglegs, water and sand hazards. The greens are widely known for their tiering and undulations. Spectacular and unique scenery attempt to lull the golfer from the task at hand, with holes meandering through valleys and views of mountains abound. The course has 6 par 5’s and 6 par 3’s, allowing a long hitter the opportunity to score well.
SCOTLAND NORTH
Cruden Bay
A traditional seaside links with magnificently views of the Bay of Cruden and the North Sea. Although the current site was designed in 1899, the local claims that golf was played as early as 1791. The massive sand dunes and narrow fairways are extremely challenging, and the winds create havoc. The course requires power and placement, and is well regarded for its subtly contoured greens. Rated #50 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Royal Dornoch
Located adjacent to the Dornoch Firth, this seaside links has welcomed the designs of Tom Morris and Donald Ross. The scenery is spectacular, and the course is demanding. The holes are laid out in all directions to allow panoramic views of the sea, as well as requiring the most accurate shotmaking on a windy day. The conditioning is excellent, and greens receptive. Rated #16 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Nairn
Located on the southern shore of the Moray Firth, this traditional Scottish links hosted the 1993 British Amateur Championship and the Walker Cup in 1999. Renowned for the front nine seaside holes, as well as the back nine narrow fairways with the ever-present whin and gorse bushes, this renowned links is as demanding as any seaside links in Scotland. The bunkering is dangerous, and the iron placement a necessity to allow an acceptable score.
Royal Aberdeen
Located along the North Sea, this demanding test of golf is the sixth oldest club in the world. Heather and other natural growth border the front nine holes, and the back nine is renowned for the sand dunes and treacherous greens. Driving accuracy is a must, and attentive reading of undulations on the greens are required to allow an acceptable score.
