Scotland's Top 5 Golf Courses

Internationally known as the 'home of golf', Scotland has over 550 courses to choose from, from rugged, natural links (courses built on sandy ground, near the seashore) to pitch and putt courses ideal for a quick morning round.

Scotland also offers many public golf courses which are very affordable and great to play on.

If you fancy watching some of the world's best golfers, head along to the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open which takes place on 11-13 July 2008 at Loch Lomond.

Roger McStravick, VisitScotland's Golf PR Executive gives us his run down of favourite courses where he likes to play a round in Scotland.

Dunbar Golf Club, East Links, Dunbar

Tel: 01368 862317
Email: secretary@dunbar-golfclub.co.uk
Web: www.dunbar-golfclub.co.uk
Google map

Where better to start than the lovely Dunbar Golf Club, or 'sunny Dunny' as it is affectionately known locally. Renowned for its warm welcome to visitors, Dunbar East Links is situated on the estuary of the Firth of Forth and is an inviting championship links course that stretches across 6,404 yards. Designed by Old Tom Morris (Scotland's most famous player, course designer and golf club maker) around 1850, here you will find some great links holes to rival any links course in the world. A stunning hidden gem.

Kingsbarns Golf Club, Kingsbarns, Fife

Tel: 01334 460861
Email: info@kingsbarns.com
Web: www.kingsbarns.com
Google map 

This course is simply beautiful and a heavenly place to play. Creatively designed by Kyle Phillips, Kingsbarns is a must for any golf enthusiast on an East Coast golf links tour. Where many links courses on the east coast are relatively flat, Kingsbarns enjoys undulating dunes. The signature hole 15th is rightly called 'Tighten yer kilt laddie'. This long Par 3 sits beside the welcoming waves of the North Sea, that kindly beacon your ball and your scorecard! The greens also are worth a special mention here for being amongst the fastest in the country.

The Torrance, Fairmont St Andrews, Fife

Tel: 0800 2577544
Email: standrews.scotland@fairmont.com
Web: www.fairmont.com/StAndrews

Google map

The Fairmont Resort at St Andrews is luxury golf at its very best. Alongside the prestigious hotel are two great courses. Designed by Sam Torrance and the legendary Gene Sarazen, The Torrance for me is everything a course should be. Challenging, rewarding and a great place to escape to. The 17th will take you right down to the edge of the coast, where the views from course are nothing short of breathtaking. A delight at any time of the year.

Blairgowrie (Rosemount), Blairgowrie, Perthshire

Tel: 01250 872622
Email: office@theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk
Web: www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk
Google map

When Old Tom Morris holed a long put on the 18th, he declared Blairgowrie Rosemount 18th green to be one of the most beautiful inland greens in Scotland. It is as relevant today as it was then. Set in beautiful parkland, each tree lined hole makes you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and other holes on the course. The par 3 165 yard 17th hole features what is believed to be one of the first Mackenzie greens. The course was designed by both James Braid and Alastair Mackenzie. My advice to players would be, keep it straight!

Western Gailes, Gailes, Irvine

Tel: 01294 311649
Email: enquiries@westerngailes.com
Web: www.westerngailes.com
Google map

Western Gailes is one of those courses that once you have finished playing, you just want to walk straight back to the first and play it all over again. With views of the hills of Arran and Ailsa Craig, this superb sandy links course has ambiance and character in abundance. Even if you are not playing your Sunday best, you will still enjoy the course that players Harry Vardon and Gene Sarazen rated as one of Scotland's finest.  

Related links

• VisitScotland's golf guide 
• Search for a golf course
• Lady golfer: Catriona Matthew 
• Matt Osborne: Golf architecture student
• Paul Albanese: Golf architecture lecturer 
• Barclays Scottish Open