BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Bill V — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:16:26 GMT

Carnoustie may be the best coarse in Scotland. None of the Ocean views at Turnberry, but a better, more relentless or at least constantly challenging course.

Specifically In Fife

Elie, Lundin, Leven, Dukes, Ladybank (Heathland), Scotscraig, Crail Old, Crail New (Gil Hanse), both at the Fairmont (Prefer Torrance).Balbirnie

I can recommend al of them but a special shout out to the Hanse Course at Crail - short but mighty - First course built in Scotland by an American. Play both if you go to Crail.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Dale V — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:57:23 GMT

I must disagree with your statement about no “links” courses in the USA. The term “Links” refers to courses where the land links with the sea. That technically makes any course on the Atlantic or Pacific a Links course. No greater example than the courses at Bandon. I have played many in the USA, Scotland and Ireland too including the most famous Scottish links course (Old Course at St. Andrew’s) and no holes there are actually on the ocean. Glad to hear you have enjoyed your traveling golf. Best wishes for many more rounds in the future.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Bill V — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 14:48:18 GMT

Any Links Course is worth playing as they are very precious. There are only "links-like" and faux links in the USA. Very few links in the world ...

I rate courses for a noted magazine. I've played over 50 links in Scotland with zero regrets,
Prestwick, Brora, NBWL and Cruden Bay - ignore that you cannot hit driver 290 "center cut".
Professional Men's golf has become an aberration that is ruining our perception of golf courses.
Keep only a hybrid or 2/3iron as your longest club if you are a smash and gouge player and play real strategic golf.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

killerbgolfer — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 23:00:57 GMT

I got to go to the TT event at st Andrews last year. We played two of the courses there which were both fun. My favorite of the trip though was kingsbarns (pretty epic) and dunbarnie links (even in awful weather). Have fun!

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Peter CB — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 22:13:23 GMT

Have a crack at Drumoig. Used to be the base for Golf Scotland. Some really good holes played into an old quarry and a lovely par 4 with a tee shot over a lake.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Patrick W — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 01:22:17 GMT

My favorite is Royal Dornoch. Top 5 ranked course in the world. Stay in Inverness and play rounds up in the Scottish Highlands and you won't be disappointed. Plenty of good golf up there including Brora and Nairn.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

JVieira — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 19:18:14 GMT

We were in St Andrews in beginning of May. We were able to get a time via the 48 hr ballot for a foursome. I've also heard that there are hotels in the town that have tee times for guests so you might be able to check out that option prior to booking your hotels? Good luck!

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

JVieira — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 19:11:25 GMT

I just got back from Scotland and a few courses I would recommend (outside of the St Andrews Links courses) are North Berwick, Gullane 1, Kilspindie, Dumbarnie, Elie House, Lundin Links and Carnoustie.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

19hole — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:25:19 GMT

We have a house there as that is where my wife is from.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 08:02:39 GMT

Machrihanish Golf Club (machgolf.com). The Championship course is unforgettable experience. South end of mull of Kintyre nut accessible and worth every minute of the trip. Campbeltown is a short distance away, wonderful area with a lot of history. This course should be top on anyone's list traveling to Scotland. Hole 1 is possibly the greatest starting hole in golf!

Also, along the west coast you have a lot of amazing courses (Prestwick, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Machrihanish Dunes, Machrie, and Loch Lomond is a very different and wonderful experience).

Enjoy!

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Simon Worsfold — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:54:33 GMT

Evening all.

Hopefully in the next few hours I’ve posted some help on here regarding travel to Scotland.

If anyone wants any advise regarding train travel please feel free to reach out.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Jim R — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:24:27 GMT

One course that has not been mentioned is The Golf House Club of Elie. About 12 miles from St. Andrews but worth the drive. Claims to be the 3rd oldest course in Scotland from the 1500th century. Fun to play with great views of North Sea and towering cliffs. Cruden Bay is another further away from St. Andrews but worth your time to play.www.titleist.com/.../ib5oyqsevufdu8dd6qkz www.titleist.com/.../tnxlzzj0s2powgkmgxe3

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

ACastro — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:08:58 GMT

[quote user="Gregory V"]

Jonathan C said:
Did anyone have any experience on smaller or lesser known tracks? Headed to the TTI and going to likely drive the Fife coast and have found a few, but wondering if anyone knew of personal experienced courses?

Tom Coyne wrote two excellent books about playing golf in Ireland, and in Scotland. Pick up "A Course Called Scotland" and check out his list of lesser played gems.

[/quote]

I just purchased this book. Thanks for the tip!!

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

ACastro — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:52:54 GMT

Curious…what takes you to Scotland so often?

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

19hole — Tue, 28 May 2024 12:44:11 GMT

If you have a few extra dollars to spend, book in and stay 2-3 days at Gleneagles. Three great tracks and some of the best food anywhere. We have never had a bad experience there. They have other thinks you can do too; falconry, fishing, off road Landrovers, and shooting.

They have won many awards for the level of service they provide and you could eat for hours at the breakfast buffet.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Jon C — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:46:08 GMT

Thanks Glen, I got lucky enough to get an invite to Ladybank from a junior member there, it was a great and tough track as well. Man, the whole Scotland experience was just a walk in the clouds the whole time!

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

SinglePuttAl — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:13:36 GMT

Evening. Here’s a couple within about 1/2 hour of St Andrews.
Lundin Links
leven Links
Elie ( personal favourite )
Dunbarnie ( expensive but V good )
Scotscraig

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

mjones — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:50:36 GMT

If you are looking for something a bit different Lundin golf club, Levin links both very close and could do both in a day. Further along the coast you have Crail all decent.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Patrick M — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:35:12 GMT

Castle Course was my favorite in St Andrews, that isn’t called the Old Course. I honestly thought Carnoustie was one of the best courses I’ve ever played. My wife loved it too.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Joseph R — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:56:51 GMT

Hey Jim V,
Were you able to get on to St Andrews The Old Course? If so, how? I am trying to ascertain the most secure way to get to play The Old Course.

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Fred G — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:56:11 GMT

Thanks for the response.. the help on this group is somthing else! i have played a lot on the east coast but am going to start playing some down the west coast so will certainly take a look! out of interst are there any that i should look at in the highlands

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Fred G — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:54:25 GMT

Yes it is a great way to do it, myself a a good friend managed to get on there on our first try.. what a place

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Fred G — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:53:38 GMT

Troon is on the list! and heard a lot about castle stuart so thanks for that

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

Fred G — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:52:56 GMT

no i cant say that i have played either but will be adding to the list as am driving up there next month for a few weeks

RE: BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

19hole — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 18:05:25 GMT

Prestwick has been an 18 hole course since 1882. Six of the original greens and only 3 of the original holes as still part of the course.