Best Golf Courses in Scotland

You could double the size of this list and every course featured would still be a world-class venue, for in the country where the game was born there is no shortage of incredible golf. Scotland, the Home of Golf, has seen players on its fairways for 6 centuries at least, the rich history only adds to the awe these golf courses create.

The dramatic, natural terrain that Scotland is blessed with seems as though it were designed for the purpose of creating golf courses of unparalleled beauty and challenge. Indeed, the dune-lined Scottish coast has provided some of the most exciting golf on the planet.

History and tradition have always been an important part of golf, this why Scotland is so important to golf fans all over the world. For golfers, travelling to St Andrews to play the Old Course is a pilgrimage that all players should aim to complete at least once.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Scotland or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Scotland >>

It would be impossible to compile a list of the best golf courses, in Scotland and the world, and not include the Old Course at St Andrews. By far and away the most iconic course on the planet, you can feel how special the place is the moment you set foot in town.

The Home of Golf needs little introduction and should be played by every golfer at least once, follow in the footsteps of golf legends and see where golf was born.

More info on St Andrews Old Course >>

"The 1st tee is undeniably the happiest place on earth for golfers, it is impossible not to smile standing there awaiting the centuries old challenge."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

The journey that thousands of golfers a year make to Royal Dornoch is often described as a pilgrimage, given how far north and just how spectacular the course is, it is an accurate description.

Royal Dornoch was ranked 2nd on Golf Digest’s 2018 ‘World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses’, only surpassed by Royal County Down in Ireland. It is one of the most natural golf courses on the planet, it has both wildness and beauty in abundance.

More info on Royal Dornoch >>

"Arguably one of the most underrated top-rated golf courses. I don't know anyone who has played here who hasn't put it amongst their Top 10 Courses they've played."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

Muirfield is the home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and one of the finest links courses in the British Isles. Multiple Open Championships have been held at Muirfield with the tradition and history displayed throughout the clubhouse.

Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris the layout has since been developed by Harry Colt, Tom Simpson and Martin Hawtree to ensure a truly magical experience.

More info on Muirfield Golf Club >>

"A day at Muirfield is the best day I've ever had on the golf course. The traditions and history of the game are evident throughout the clubhouse and the "simple" design you see on the course feels utterly unique and effective."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

One of the youngest true links courses in Scotland, Kingsbarns has been heralded as a masterpiece of golf architecture since its inception in 2000. Renowned for looking fantastically natural in its links setting, the course was actually just farmers field before work began.

Kingsbarns curves perfectly along the Fife coast, the varying elevations provide spectacular views of the North Sea from every hole. Only 6 miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns is a fitting addition to the Home of Golf.

More info on Kingsbarns Golf Links >>

"Stand out holes are the par-5 12th and par-3 15th but I still love the questions asked off the tee on the 5th and the 6th as well as the "simple" par-3 13th."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

Potentially the most picturesque golf course in Scotland, on a sunny day the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry is nothing short of glorious. Watched over by the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse, The Ailsa has a rich history to match the phenomenal views.

Four Open Championships have been played here, none as intense as the 'Duel in the Sun' in 1977 between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest spectacles in the history of the event.

More info on Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course >>

"The 9th hole is up there with the very best par-3 you'll ever play."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rob about playing this course.

Carnoustie is considered the toughest track of any in The Open rotation by pros and amateurs alike, however, it is also one of the greatest. Coming in at 21st on the Golf Digest 2018 ‘World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ list, Carnoustie arguably has the finest closing holes of golf of any course in the world.

With the Barry Burn snaking through the fairways, distance control is a must when attempting to tame this beast of a course. Despite the challenge, a must play course for any serious golfer.

More info on Carnoustie Golf Links >>

"Depending on the wind, 16, 17 and 18 are the hardest finish in golf."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

Royal Aberdeen is again one of the world’s most historic golf courses and is one of the classic links golf courses. The heavily bunkered course offers almost no protection from the strong coastal breezes and can cause havoc to golfers on the elevated tees in places.

More info on Royal Aberdeen Golf Club >>

"Royal Aberdeen contains some wonderful golfing terrain including a 'Postage Stamp' style 8th hole, it's also a traditional club so remember to take your jacket & tie if you wish to use the liunge or dining room after your round."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gareth about playing this course.

A fantastic links golf course set on a magnificent coastline with many deep bunkers and blind spots. Regarded as the 13th oldest club in the world, North Berwick West Links has hosted final qualifying for the Open Championship and is the home of one of the most copied golf holes in the world.

The 15th, ‘Redan', par-3 features a tilted green with a vast hidden gully front-right that you have to carry whilst avoiding the bunkers.

More info on North Berwick West Links >>

"The course is one of the most unique I've ever played, it's a quirky course full of deep bunkers and blind spots and every hole feels like a signature hole."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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Having only opened in 2009, Cabot Highlands is one of the younger courses to feature on this list, but it is certainly deserving of its place. The brilliant mind behind Kingsbarns, Mark Parsinen, has created yet another, brilliant late addition to the beautiful tapestry of golf courses Scotland has to offer.

Built on the banks of the Moray Firth, Castle Stuart Links has already hosted 4 Scottish Opens, its thrilling changes in elevation and ‘infinity greens’ make for exciting play.

More info on Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart Links >>

"A modern day links course, which encompasses wide fairways that make it playable for nearly all levels of golfers and so was great when playing with my friends of a mixed ability. One thing that strikes you playing it is the fantastic views from nearly all the holes, plus a large percentage of them are next to the water."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Tom about playing this course.

It has been said that the owner wants this venue to host a major golf championship one day, what has been achieved at Trump Aberdeen makes a good case for it to be so.

The youngest course to feature on this list is by no means least, set on the Aberdeen coast overlooking the North Sea, Martin Hawtree has added another masterpiece to his family’s collection. Some of the most dramatic sand dunes in golf provide an exhilarating landscape on which to play the great game.

More info on Trump International Golf Links >>

"All 18 holes wind their way intriguingly through the imposing dunes and golfers will be treated to breathtaking views from various vantage points around the course. Each hole will have 5 separate tees thus catering for all classes of golfer."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Tom about playing this course.

Handicap: 18
Favourite Course: Royal Portrush
My 'Expert' areas: Wales, Scotland, Open Championship Courses
Best trip I've done: Trump Turnberry
Where my next trip is to: Valderrama,the first European Ryder Cup venue.

Give Rob a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.