As the country which invented the sport, Scotland is blessed with some of the best golf courses on the planet.
From the little goldmine of links courses in East Lothian, to God’s country over on the Ayrshire coastline, as well as everything in between, we have an embarrassment of riches.
With Trump Turnberry dominating the headlines in recent days over a proposed return to hosting the Open Championship, where would it rank in terms of Scotland’s best courses?
Here, Mail Sport‘s Calum Crowe digs out his clubs and journeys through the top 20 golf courses all over the country…
20th: Loch Lomond
There’s no doubt that the Scottish Open has moved on to bigger and better things since leaving Loch Lomond and switching to links venues back in 2011. But that doesn’t detract from the fact it’s still a brilliant course in its own right.
The problem is that it’s so private and exclusive that you basically need an invite to play it.
Having watched the Scottish Open on the Bonnie Banks for years on TV, you almost feel like you’ve been transported into another realm when playing Loch Lomond.
In that sense, with a layout that is manicured to perfection, it is Scotland’s own version of Augusta National. It’s just a shame it is so rarely used.
You almost feel like you’ve been transported into another realm when playing Loch Lomond
With a layout that is manicured to perfection, it is Scotland’s own version of Augusta National
19th: Nairn (Championship Course)
There are some lovely little snippets of history woven into the fabric of Nairn.
Back in 1987, it was here that a young Colin Montgomerie stormed to victory in the Scottish Amateur Championship. The halfway house, known as the Bothy, is also an iconic feature which was used originally to store salmon caught by the local fishermen way back when.
Golfers can now enjoy a more extensive array of snacks and refreshments in the Bothy, but it remains a key part of Nairn’s history.
A lot of of the locals in the area will tell you that Nairn’s greens are the best in the area, even better than Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch.
Martina Navarro Navarro tees off during this month’s Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn
Nairn was opened in 1887 by Robert B Finlay and sits atop cliffs overlooking the North Sea
18th: Machrihanish
Situated just outside Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula, you probably need to clear your schedule and set aside a full day for this one. But one thing is for sure about Machrihanish – it is absolutely worth the time and effort.
It is not as glamorous or prestigious as many of the other courses on this list, but the sense of enjoyment it gives you is hard to beat. It’s just a brilliant, rollercoaster of a golf course with stunning scenery to boot.
An iconic tee shot on the first hole, where you drive from an elevated tee diagonally to a fairway that hugs the shoreline, is a test of nerve as well as skill.
Indeed, the first at Machrihanish might just be the best opening hole in all of Scotland.
17th: Trump International Golf Links
Opened back in 2012, this was Donald Trump’s original baby in Scotland prior to him buying Turnberry two years later.
It is a stunning creation which, although built originally on relatively flat land, now boasts some incredible undulations.
Links courses which are manufactured and built in the modern day are not always the most popular, but Trump International near Aberdeen is rapidly establishing itself as one of the finest in the country.
Later this year, it will host a DP World Tour Event for the first time. The course is to be named as the ‘old’ moving forward, with a ‘new’ course also set to be opened this summer.
Opened in 2012, Trump International was the US President’s original baby in Scotland
It is a stunning creation which, although built originally on relatively flat land, now boasts some incredible undulations
16th: Cruden Bay
The cliff-top ruins of Slains Castle, which were the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, form part of the landscape at Cruden Bay.
There is certainly plenty to get your teeth into at a course where the wildly undulating sand dunes and pot bunkers can bite back at any moment.
The original clubhouse now serves as the starter’s hut and although the property overall has been modernised in recent times, it still retains the charm of a course that was co-designed by Old Tom Morris and Archie Simpson and opened in 1899.
The cliff-top ruins of Slains Castle, which were the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula , form part of the landscape at Cruden Bay
15th: Gleneagles (King’s Course)
While a list of this nature will inevitably be dominated by links courses, it is impossible to deny the enchanting beauty of the moorland layout at Gleneagles and, specifically, the King’s Course.
With stunning views of the Ochil Hills, Ben Vorlich and the Trossachs, the scenery looks like it belongs in a Tolkien novel.
Designed as a ‘Palace in the Glens’ by five-time Open champion James Braid, the King’s Course has staged plenty of top events over the years. Lee Trevino, standing on the first tee, once remarked: ‘If heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee times left’.
Although the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles staged the 2014 Ryder Cup, the King’s gets the nod from me.
14th: North Berwick
This place has become a favourite for American superstars such as Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler over recent years.
Since the Scottish Open has moved to East Lothian, they all make a point of heading for a game at North Berwick early in the week before the tournament begins. Once you’ve played it, then it’s not difficult to see why.
It is not a long course by any stretch, but it is rich in character. The stone walls and dykes are a prominent feature which wind their way throughout the layout.
The club prefers that rounds take no more than three and a half hours, so the rough is kept fairly short to help with pace of place. Again, a breath of fresh air.
13th: Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie)
The front nine is among the best outward halves in the country, while the back nine is more elevated and offers memorable views over the North Sea
While Trump International is now a rival in the area, Royal Aberdeen remains a stiff test of golf for even the very best players
The eighth oldest golf club in the world, this place was originally founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen in 1780.
The front nine is among the best outward halves in the country, while the back nine is more elevated and offers memorable views over the North Sea.
Royal Aberdeen hosted the Scottish Open back in 2014, with Justin Rose lifting the trophy on that occasion. It has also held various editions of the senior British Open and Walker Cup matches.
While Trump International is now a rival in the area, Royal Aberdeen remains a stiff test of golf for even the very best players.
12th: The Renaissance Club
Now very much established as the home of the Scottish Open, it wasn’t actually a popular venue when the tournament moved here back in 2019.
Rory McIlroy was one of the most prominent players who spoke out and claimed that the course was too easy, in the sense that it didn’t prepare the players for what they would face the following week at the Open Championship.
It has been toughened up a little since then and is no longer a birdie-fest, but the layout and property overall are still top-class.
Home hero Bob MacIntyre rolls in to win the 2024 Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club
Rory McIlroy was one of the most prominent players who spoke out and claimed that the course was too easy
It has been toughened up a little and is no longer a birdie-fest, but the layout and property overall are still top-class
11th: Gullane (No 1)
There’s really not much to choose between Gullane No 1 and No 2. When the Scottish Open was held here in 2015 and 2018, the tournament actually used a composite layout taking holes from both courses.
But it’s No 1 which just gets the nod overall. The climb up some of the hills around here can be severe. It can become a test of fitness as much as a test of golf, but the quality of the turf and the greens is undeniable.
The climb up some of the hills around here can be severe. It can become a test of fitness as much as a test of golf
10th: Western Gailes
Much like Gullane is surrounded by other top courses on a small stretch of coastline in East Lothian, the same can be said of Western Gailes in Ayrshire. It is without question one of the most under-rated courses in the country.
It has been used for many years as a final Open Qualifying venue and has undergone redevelopment in recent times.
Although the likes of Royal Troon, Old Prestwick and Turnberry dominate the picture in Ayrshire, the greens at Western are, in my opinion, the best in the area.
After your round, be sure to pop down the road to Barassie for a bite to eat at the award-winning Barassie Chippy.
Richie Ramsay tees off on the 17th at Western Gailes back in 2007
9th: Dumbarnie
A relative newcomer on the scene given that it only opened five years ago in 2020. Yet, as is always the case with excellent design, it looks as though it’s been part of the landscape for hundreds of years.
The fairways are wide and generous, meaning it’s possible for the average club golfer to get the ball round and still enjoy the experience.
Dumbarnie also has one of the best practice facilities in the country, meaning there’s no excuse not to be warmed up by the time you reach the first tee.
8th: Old Prestwick
The home of the Open Championship, the place where it began back in 1860.
When you play a round at Old Prestwick, the first thing you’ll notice is the amount of American and foreign accents. The course remains immensely popular with tourists due to its rich history.
But it’s also still an outstanding test of golf, one where your nerves are tested immediately on the first tee with the railway line running adjacent up the right-hand side.
Blind shots are a key feature, most notably at the 5th and 17th holes. There is such a rich variety at Old Prestwick where now two holes are the same.
Given its quality and history, it should definitely be on your bucket list.
7th: Carnoustie (Championship)
The 1st and the 16th at Carnoustie, routinely voted as one of the hardest courses in Britain
Jean van de Velde plunges into misery at the 1999 Open, when his ball landed in the Barry Burn stream and he triple bogeyed the 18th to throw away his chance of outright victory
Routinely voted as one of the toughest courses in Britain, Carnoustie is a place where even a half-decent player can struggle to break 100.
Its rough is formidable and some of its bunkers are utterly cavernous. That’s before we even get to the Barry Burn, the infamous little stream where Jean van de Velde suffered his meltdown in the 1999 Open as Paul Lawrie stormed to victory.
It remains one of the toughest back nines in championship golf.
6th: Royal Troon
Host of another terrific Open Championship last summer, there’s a very simple reason why the R&A keep coming back to Troon: The players and fans love it.
It was also the scene of arguably the greatest final day shootout in major history as Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson fought to a thrilling finale in 2016.
The key to success at Troon is fairly simple – make your score on the way out and then hang on for dear life on the way home.
Like Carnoustie, the back nine features one of the most demanding stretch of holes on the Open rota.
The key to success at Troon is fairly simple – make your score on the way out and then hang on for dear life on the way home
Like Carnoustie, the back nine features one of the most demanding stretch of holes on the Open rota
Host of another terrific Open Championship last summer, there’s a very simple reason why the R&A keep coming back to Troon: The players and fans love it
5th: Kingsbarns
Since opening its doors 25 years ago in the summer of 2000, Kingsbarns just seems to get better and better each time you visit.
Speak to a lot of the pros and celebrities who play in the Dunhill Links every year and many of them will put Kingsbarns ahea of Carnoustie and the Old Course at St Andrews, the two other venues which co-host the tournament.
The greens are regularly among the finest in the country and terrific views over the North Sea are visible from pretty much every area of the course.
Since opening its doors 25 years ago in the summer of 2000, Kingsbarns just seems to get better and better each time you visit – though not for Bill Murray (pictured) here
Tommy Fleetwood takes on the 12th hole during the Dunhill Links Championship in 2018, with a North Sea backdrop
4th: St Andrews (Old)
It is not the best or most challenging golf course you will ever play. Its layout is a bit bland. When you remove the history, it’s actually a fairly average course which probably wouldn’t make the top 10 on this list.
But, with St Andrews, you can’t remove the history.
This is the spiritual home of an entire sport. The sense of history is woven into the fabric of St Andrews and is a major part of the allure. The way such a small town comes alive during Open Championships is magical.
Walking home over the final few holes, with the town becoming ever more visible along with the famous clubhouse, it gives you goosebumps in a way that few other venues can match.
This is the spiritual home of an entire sport. The sense of history is woven into the fabric of St Andrews and is a major part of the allure
Seve Ballesteros clinches the 1984 Open Championship in front of jubilant crowds and dwindling light
Jack Nicklaus waves from the famous Swilcan Bridge in 2005
3rd: Royal Dornoch
A man who became an adopted Scot, Tom Watson once described a round at Royal Dornoch as ‘the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course. A true masterpiece.’
The layout has undergone some upgrades and improvements over the past 10 years or so but it remains a golf course that will win your heart as soon as you play it.
Fun fact? Janet Horne was the last person to be executed for acts of witchcraft in Britain back in 1727 and there is a stone in a nearby park in Dornoch which marks the point where she was killed.
The 413-yard, par-four third hole at Royal Dornoch, with the Sutherland countryside stretching into the distance
2nd: Muirfield
While Muirfield technically does still remain on the Open rota, it hasn’t hosted the Championship since Phil Mickelson won back in 2013.
There has been controversy surrounding the inclusion of women members, something which was passed belatedly in 2017 after Muirfield had briefly been struck off the rota.
Yet, what is inarguable is that Muirfield remains a truly outstanding golf course. In terms of outright quality from tee to green, its condition is unmatched.
Sir Nick Faldo won one of his three Claret Jugs around Muirfield and declared it to be his favourite course in the world. It’s hard to argue with that.
Muirfield remains a truly outstanding golf course. In terms of outright quality from tee to green, its condition is unmatched
It’s been 12 years since Muirfield last hosted the Open Championship
Nick Faldo won one of his three Claret Jugs at Muirfield and called it his favourite course in the world
1st: Turnberry (Ailsa)
It remains a travesty that Turnberry is not on the Open rota and hasn’t hosted the Championship since Stewart Cink broke everyone’s hearts and pipped Tom Watson back in 2009.
The course has been redeveloped in recent years and so have some of the surrounding roads, most notably the bypass near Maybole which is a big improvement.
It was said that Turnberry was simply too far out the way and lacked the roads and infrastructure to host an Open, but that doesn’t hold any water.
It remains a travesty that Turnberry is not on the Open rota
The redesigned ninth hole at Turnberry, with the 24-metre-high lighthouse standing sentinel
Rory McIlroy tees off in practice for the 2009 Open, the last time Turnberry hosted the Championship
For me, Turnberry is the finest golf course in Britain, let alone Scotland. The sooner it gets back to hosting the Open, the better
In terms of travel, St Andrews is now a hundred times worse than the Ayrshire venue.
What’s held Turnberry back is the guy who now owns the place happens to be one of the most controversial men on the planet. For years, the R&A didn’t want anything to do with Trump. They viewed him as toxic.
But that stance now appears to be softening (wonder why!) and seeing the Open go back to Turnberry now does feel more realistic than it did 10 years ago.
For me, Turnberry is the finest golf course in Britain, let alone Scotland. The sooner it gets back to hosting the Open, the better.
