The West
Ailsa Course, Turnberry,
The scene of several Open Championships the most memorable being the great Watson v Nicklaus head to head in 1977 – ‘the Duel in the Sun’ and the most recent being 2009 when Tom Watson looked like he might hold the Claret jug again! The magnificent Ailsa course and sister Kintyre course offer breathtaking views over Turnberry Bay and out to the iconic Ailsa Craig.
The Ailsa is set for a major refurbishment at the end of this year in time for summer 2016. Presently rated in the top 20 golf courses in the world, the courses are only available to members and hotel guests. Ailsa 6408yds sss 71 Kintyre 6276yds sss 69
Ballyliffin (Glashedy)
Ballyliffin (Glashedy),
This newer Links provides a roller coaster tour of the remarkable lunar like landscape at Ballyliffin.. Given the incredible piece of golfing land on hand at Ballyliffin, the Glashedy Links was always destined for greatness. The end result however surpassed all expectation and Glashedy Links stands today as a supremely testing and stunningly beautiful links course.
The West
Barassie (Kilmarnock Golf Club),
The course was built in 1877 by the merchants of nearby Kilmarnock. The links resembles Prestwick not least for the marvellous compactness of design. The Gailes burn (stream) is a persistent hazard throughout the round. New holes have been introduced to the north of the course to add greater yardage but there is a feeling of consistency throughout. Barassie has hosted the final qualifying event for the Open Championship when the competition is held in Ayrshire and it has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best kept greens in the country. It is also a Scottish Amateur Championship venue.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Blairgowrie Golf Club, Rosemount & Lansdowne (Blairgowrie, Perthshire),
Designed by James Braid with influences from Dr. Alistair McKenzie, the renowned architect of the Augusta National course, Rosemount has played host to a number of prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. It was the scene of Greg Norman’s first European Tour victory in the 1977 Martini event. The more forgiving fairways are compensated with larger and more undulating greens than its younger neighbour, giving the golfer a testing but rewarding challenge. The Rosemount Course has been described by Tom Morris as, “The most beautiful inland green I have ever seen”
Yardage 6630 Par 72
The Lansdowne is slightly longer than its older brother, the Rosemount, and, as some golf enthusiasts would suggest, provides a much tougher and demanding test of golf. It features tree-lined fairways and wonderful greens. Designed by Peter Allis, the Voice of Golf, and renowned course designer Dave Thomas, this course is the home of the Scottish Mid-Amateur Championship.
Yardage 7002 Par 72
The Highlands & North East
Boat of Garten Golf Course,
Designed by one of the grand-masters of golf course architecture, James Braid (1870-1950), “The Boat” is set alongside the River Spey in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Braid’s design features 18 completely individual holes, cleverly and sensitively shaped fairways lined by birch trees, heather and broom, maximising the natural landscape and producing a beautiful and challenging course. The Boat has been dubbed “the Gleneagles of the North” and has won several awards in recent years including Scotland’s No.1 Hidden Gem.
Yardage 5876 Par 70
The Highlands & North East
Brora Golf Course,
A James Braid inspired course which makes excellent use of the natural contours. The backdrop of breaking waves and winding burns make Brora a memorable experience as do the the native fairway mowing sheep. The allure of Brora is best summed up by James Finegan in ‘Blasted Heath and Blessed greens’ – too short to qualify as great, it is no less superlative, there is no prosaic moment, as we relish every hole. Brora is as fine and as pure an example of Braid’s work as you are likely to find.
Yardage 5844 Par 68
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Bruntsfield Edinburgh,
Founded in 1761, the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is the fourth oldest in the world and one of Scotland’s most prestigious clubs located only 3 miles from Edinburgh city centre and 1 hour from The Old Course, St Andrews.
The mature parkland style course was originally designed by Willie Park Jnr with later modifications by world renowned architects Dr Alister MacKenzie and James Braid. As a testament to the quality of the course The R&A since 2011 have selected Bruntsfield as a Qualifying Venue for the Open Championship.
Bruntsfield is famous for the quality of lunch, using the best local produce and is served daily in the upstairs Dining Room providing excellent views over the Firth of Forth.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Buddon Links, Carnoustie,
A relatively new golf course having been opened in 1979. It was designed by Peter Allis and Davis Thomas although there have been significant changes since. As would be expected given its location, it is an excellent example of links golf. Although shorter than the Burnside it still packs a pretty hefty punch around the turn with the 7th, 9th, 11th & 12th holes all testing your accuracy and control.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Burnside at Carnoustie,
Intertwined with the ‘sleeping giant’, of the Championship course, Burnside carries many of that course’s characteristics with far less of its length and intimidation.
A genuine links course that is both testing and fun to play.
Yardage. 6028 Par. 68
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Carnoustie Golf Links,
Not surprisingly the Kingdom of Fife and the County of Angus are a magnet for golfers from all over the world for here is home to the Old Course, St Andrews and Carnoustie golf links arguably the toughest golf course in Championship golf. The range and depth of golf in this area is unrivalled and many Clients base their entire golfing holiday in this area. The County of Perthshire is located further inland and is home to some of our best non links course such as Gleneagles & Blairgowrie.
Par. 72 Yardage.6941
The Highlands & North East
Castle Stuart Golf Course,
Designed by the team that brought you Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart opened in July 2009. Commanding a breathtaking coastal position, the course is built on three tiers ensuring that its golfers rarely lose sight of the dramatic views of the Moray Firth. Ranked 9th in Scotland and 65th in the Top 100 courses of the world last year Castle Stuart is set to only get better.
Yardage 7009 Par 72
The South East
Craigielaw Golf Course,
This relatively new course opened in 2000. It is built on land of ancient, blown sand overlooking Aberlady Bay, neighbouring the resplendent links courses of East Lothian. Fairways are tight with rough and old stone dykes defining their perimeters. The 11th is a great driving hole, a Par 5 with a narrow strip of marshy land ahead of the green, and for many the most exciting hole on the course.
Yardage 6601 Par 71
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Crail Golf Course,
Instituted in 1786, Crail is only a short course at under 6000yds, however plenty of fun and yet another links course where exposure to the wind can make a mockery of the low handicapper. Commanding an inspiringly panoramic position, the sea features at almost every hole. The seventh oldest Golf Club in the world.
Yardage 5861 Par.69
The Highlands & North East
Cruden Bay Golf Course,
Cruden Bay is a traditional Scottish links golf course, originally designed by Tom Morris and Archie Simpson, and only two hours drive from St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, the course truly justifies its position as 70th in the world in the 2013-14 Golf Digest Top 100.
Yardage 6287 Par 70
The South East
Dalmahoy East Golf Club,
The venue for the Solheim Cup in 1992, it is an inland course with gentle undulating fairways. The East Course was designed by James Braid and its set amongst a thousand acres of rolling wooded parkland, giving it a mixed feeling of moorland and parkland. Of supreme convenience as it is only a 9 iron from the hotel. One of the few courses in Scotland which provides golf carts.
Yardage 7055 Par 73
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Downfield Golf Course,
Set in beautiful parkland, Downfield is recognised as one of Scotland’s finest inland courses and has hosted many events such as the Scottish Amateur and Final Qualifying for the 1999 & 2007 Open Championship. Combining wonderful scenery with the natural wildlife of squirrels, water fowl, buzzards and deer, Downfield offers a truly challenging and enjoyable experience to all golfers regardless of their abilities. There are a wide variety of challenges with some water in play on no fewer than 7 holes.
Yardage 6817, Par 72
The West
Dunaverty Golf Club,
This hidden gem is located by the village of Southend in a glorious setting on the south coast of the Kintyre peninsula.
The course is a fine Par 66 18 hole, natural links, extending to 4,799 yards. High and low handicappers alike will enjoy its testing layout, the springy turf on the undulating fairways and arguably one of the finest set of greens in Scotland.
Spectacular views over the landscape, Sanda Island to the south, Ailsa Craig and Ayrshire to the east and Northern Ireland to the south west, will add to your enjoyment of this challenging and exceptionally well maintained course.
The South East
Dunbar Golf Course,
This is a very testing Open Championship Final qualifying course. The course hugs the coastline and Golfers are rewarded with fine seaside views of the Firth of Forth. After taking on the many challenges that Dunbar has to offer the Clubhouse has a justified reputation for its comfort and informal hospitality.
Yardage 6404 Par 71
The West
Dundonald Golf Links,
The West coast of Scotland is famous for its stunning championship links and Dundonald Links sits right up there alongside the very best of them. Opened in 2003, Kyle Phillips designed a modern day classic links which has the feel of a course 100 years older and offers challenges and enjoyment in equal measure.
Formerly known as Southern Gailes, Dundonald Links is a challenging, but extremely rewarding links course in pristine condition. You will especially enjoy the back nine and its spectacular views with the sea making an appearance on several holes. 6725 yards and sss74
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Eden Golf Course, St Andrews,
Only slightly more forgiving than its contemporaries on the seaward side of the Links, the Eden Course was built in 1914 by Harry S. Colt whose use of natural boundaries and severe bunkers provides a course full of character. Colt’s contoured greens provide good drainage and the putting surfaces of the Eden course said to be the most undulating of the St Andrews links. With generous fairways means the Eden is perhaps one of the few scoring courses at St Andrews. Saying that the courses natural undulations and strategic placed bunkers means that your game must still be at its best if you hope to break par.
Yardage. 6250 Par. 70
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Elie Golf Course,
Right from the moment the Starter checks it is clear to tee off by using his periscope to view over the brow of a hill on the 1st tee, Elie proves to be a unique experience. The 4 holes running along side the coast are particularly memorable. Only 13 miles from St. Andrews situated in a charming seaside village, which is also noted for a great pub called ‘The Ship Inn.’
Yardage 6273 Par 70
The Highlands & North East
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Course,
Designed by James Braid, this course has been skilfully laid out within the narrow Chanonry peninsula. It is instantly admired by first-time visitors and its unique character and charm make it a most enjoyable round. What it lacks in yardage is more than offset by its small deceptive greens and strategically placed bunkers.
Yardage 6085 Par 71
The Highlands & North East
Fraserburgh Golf Course,
Located 40 miles north of Aberdeen, Fraserburgh is the 7th Oldest course in the world and considered one of Scotland’s finest links courses. Its location means it exposed to air currents from both the Moray Firth and the North Sea and consequently Fraserburgh offers a stiff challenge when the wind blows from any source.
Yardage 6318 Par 70
Frilford Heath, nr Oxford
Frilford Heath, nr Oxford,
A tranquil club, located seven miles from Oxford and rated in the top 100 golf courses. It boasts 3 courses – the Red, Green and Blue, with 54 holes in total. The original course is the Red Course and it remains the best, with a demanding par 72 layout, measuring over 6,900 yards from the back tees. The land is delightfully undulating and the greens are in superb condition.
The West
Gailes Links,
Previously known as Glasgow Gailes, Gailes Links was rebranded in 2014. It is a top rated world championship links located near Open venues at Turnberry and Royal Troon in Ayrshire. Gailes Links Course which has hosted major championship tournaments was designed by Willie Park of Musselburgh. Gailes was opened in 1892 by Glasgow Golf Club the 9th oldest golf club in the world.
Its west coast setting and fabulous condition makes it ideal for summer and winter golf in Scotland. It is simply traditional links at its best. 6535 yards sss 72
The South East
Gullane no 1 Golf Course,
(East Lothian) Established in 1884. This course has hosted many Amateur Championships and played host to the Open championship qualifying in 2013. Carved into the ancient links turf Gullane’s pot bunkers, wispy grasses and smooth-running greens make this a unique challenge for even the most serious golfer. With its beautifully maintained greens, true links contours and impressive vistas it does not suffer from an inferiority complex being neighboured next to Muirfield. The late Payne Stewart rated it highly.
Yardage 6614 Par 72
The South East
Gullane no 2 Golf Course,
A fine course which runs parallel to No 1 for the first seven holes, it was designed by then Open Champion Willie Parker Jnr in 1899 It is particularly renowned for the quality of its short holes, the 11th being the pick of the bunch. A composite course composed of Gullane No 1 and No 2 will host the Aberdeen Asset Management championship in July 2015.
Yardage 6624 Par 71
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Gullane no 3 Golf Course,
Of all the courses at Gullane, No. 3 enjoys some of the best views across Aberlady Bay to Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth beyond. Designed by Willie Park Jr, it boasts the same impeccable links turf as its older neighbours and it is maintained to the same high standards from tee to green.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Jubilee Course,
The third championship course at the Home of Golf, the Jubilee is considered by many to be the most challenging course on the famous Links. Built in 1897, it was originally intended for use by ladies and beginners; however, after seeing its prime golfing location between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee was converted to a championship layout in 1988. Perceived by local folk to be a tougher proposition to both other courses due to its tight angles and undulating contoured fairways. Accuracy is paramount throughout. The Jubilee co hosted the British amateur Championship in 2004.
Yardage 6742 Par 72
The South East
Kilspindie Golf Club, East Lothian,
The 35th oldest golf club is a Scottish links retaining its original, traditional features. Kilspindie Golf Club is one of Scotland’s finest, lying hidden gems, set amongst the nature reserve of Aberlady Bay, the quaint village of Aberlady, and the teaming waters of the Firth of Forth. Kilspindie’s quick and deceptive greens are a challenge to all golfers. Several holes border the shoreline and each hole enjoys magnificent views. Kilspindie has been host to an alternative Ryder Cup, with 12-man teams playing with pre-1930’s hickory shafted clubs.
Yardage 5502 Par 69
The West
King Robert the Bruce Course, Turnberry,
Formerly the Kintyre Course, the King Robert the Bruce Course is set to re-open in 2017 as the second course at Turnberry, following the success of Mackenzie and Ebert’s changes to the Ailsa Course.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Kingsbarns Golf Links,
Kingsbarns is only 6 miles from St. Andrews. With its true links turf, contoured rolling fairways and majestic vistas of the sea this course is already considered to be a classic. The sea plays an integral role in the course design and the sandy dunes also feature prominently in enhancing the course landscape. As Sir Michael Bonallack (recently retired Secretary of the R&A) remarks – “Kingsbarns might well be one of the last true seaside links sites capable of development in Scotland. It is an extraordinary setting”.
Yardage 7210 Par 72
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Kittocks Course, St. Andrews,
Formerly the Devlin, this dramatic course underwent some subtle changes in 2008. Its dramatic location has helped to make it highly regarded in golfing circles and entry into the UK’s top 100 courses is viewed as imminent. An excellent challenge in breathtaking surroundings. Part of the Fairmont St Andrews Bay Resort.
Yardage 7039 Par 72
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Ladybank Golf Club,
A heathland course of Championship status (Par 71) set amongst heather, pine trees and silver birch. Always in immaculate condition, Ladybank provides a pleasant contrast from seaside links golf and has played host to the Open Championship final qualifying on a number of occasions.
Yardage 6581 Par 71
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Lundin Links,
Located 10 miles south of St Andrews, this James Braid design, is a majestic links course. Today Lundin’s course has a bit of everything: burns, blind drives, out of bounds, the ever present wind and truly excellent greens. Lundin Links was one of the The Open Qualifying courses for the Open 2005 and is voted amongst the top links courses in Britain by the Golf Monthly magazine.
Yardage 6371 Par 71
The West
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Links,
Designed by David McLay Kidd, who is responsible for the internationally acclaimed Bandon Dunes in Oregon, this breathtaking links has been built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. (SSSI). It is set hard against the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and follows the natural terrain, with 6 tees and 5 greens sitting on the ocean’s edge.
Since opening in 2009, the golf links at “Mach Dunes” have received numerous recognitions as one of the great golfing experiences in Scotland, including awards for excellence in overall experience, service, sustainability and of course–the quality of the golf course!
The 7,082 yard, 18-hole links course flows effortlessly to, from and along the sea, inviting you to step back in time to the days when Old Tom Morris laid out the neighboring links (Machrihanish Old) and Willie Campbell plotted the Machrie Golf Links on the nearby island of Islay – visible from Machrihanish Dunes. The 18-hole journey features no less than six greens and five tees at the ocean’s edge.
The West
Machrihanish Golf Club,
Tom Morris laid out the course in 1876 and it is no surprise why he chose this spot of outstanding beauty with naturally dramatic fairways and undulating greens. It has an exceptional first hole which requires the round’s opening shot to carry the Atlantic! A tough start, to say the least, particularly if the fearsome wind is against you but a thrilling start to your round!
It is a varied test for the competent golfer, the layout is not just a predictable nine out, and nine back. The classic links holes, apart from the 1st, are the 5th, another par four with its fairway like an elephant’s graveyard, the 10th, a clever dogleg par five and the 15th, a one shotter with real difficulty if the elusive green is missed from the tee.
The unique quality of the turf is much admired – sandy but yet rich and springy. The greens are large and sculptured and each hole is unique enough to be remembered long after your round, particularly the 1st!!
This is also a very hospitable club to visitors, rounding off what will be an experience to be missed! Logan Air provide a day service from Glasgow with green fees, lunch and bus transfers included.
St Andrews, Perthshire & Angus
Monifieth Medal Course,
The course is built over undulating links with some old dune ridges, often gorse covered between fairways and, unusually for a links many holes also have tree lined fairways. The medal has reputation as a hard uncompromising course, which is bound on one side by the railway to the North. The courses large, firm greens and clever bunkering are the hallmark of this Open Championship qualifying course.
Yardage 6655 Par 71
