Scotland Golf Courses

A gloriously quirky and historic links (1832) on the East Lothian shore — stone walls, blind shots, the Bass Rock offshore. Home of the original Redan, the most copied par-3 in golf.

A classic out-and-back Ayrshire links, 10-time Open host (most recently 2024). Home of the par-3 "Postage Stamp" 8th — the shortest, and one of the most feared, holes in Open golf.

The Home of Golf — the oldest and most famous course in the world, where the 18-hole round and the game itself grew up. Public links, par 72, with the legendary Road Hole 17th and the Swilcan Bridge.

Kyle Phillips's modern links masterpiece (2000) on the Fife coast near St Andrews — every hole has a sea view. A co-host of the Dunhill Links and a fixture in the world top 100.

The hardest of the Open links — "Carnasty" — on the Angus coast. Eight Opens since 1931, the brutal Barry Burn finish, and the scene of Jean van de Velde's 1999 collapse.

Home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (1744) — the oldest golf club in the world. Often called the fairest of the Open links, with a unique two-loop routing and revetted bunkers.

The Ailsa — a cliff-top Ayrshire links beneath its famous lighthouse, with views to Ailsa Craig and Arran. Four-time Open host, scene of the 1977 "Duel in the Sun", with a clifftop par-3 by the lighthouse.

The "king of Scottish links" — a revered, remote Highland masterpiece ranked among the best courses on earth. Old Tom Morris, the birthplace of Donald Ross, and the bunkerless 14th, "Foxy."

A modern Highland links (2009) by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse on the Moray Firth — infinity greens above the sea, big generous fairways, and three straight Scottish Opens. Now Cabot Highlands.

A wild, eccentric, much-loved links (1899) among huge Aberdeenshire dunes beneath the Dracula-inspiring ruins of Slains Castle. Blind shots, hidden greens and a place in the world top 100.

James Braid's moorland masterpiece (1919) — the historic soul of Gleneagles and one of Britain's greatest inland courses, tumbling over heathery Perthshire hills with glorious Highland views.

Scotland's grandest golf resort, high in the Perthshire hills — three courses including Jack Nicklaus's 2014 Ryder Cup venue (the PGA Centenary) and James Braid's classic 1919 King's and Queen's.

A cult 1876 links on the remote Kintyre peninsula, reshaped by Old Tom Morris. Home of one of golf's most famous opening tee shots — the drive across the beach at the 1st.

A wild, remote links on the whisky island of Islay - an 1891 cult favourite rebuilt by DJ Russell in 2018, wrapped in big dunes along Laggan Bay. One of Britain's great golf escapes.