SUMMARY

ROYAL TROON

£285

SUMMARY

Royal Troon Golf Club is a magnificent links golf course in Scotland and is one of the famous golf clubs in the world.  It is a Privilege and a treat for any golfer to follow the footsteps of golfs legends and play on this magnificent course.  The Old Course continues to be the sternest of golfing examinations and in particular, the back nine at Royal Troon still has the toughest par 4 of all the Open Championship hosts courses and is widely accepted as the most demanding of any Course on the Championship rota.

The groundsmen are outstanding and have done a great job keeping the course in wonderful condition, especially the greens. The course starts out with 3 relatively friendly par 4’s, but then progressively gets more challenging, but then who cares when you are on such a wonderful course!

Host course of the 152nd Open Championship the Old Course is part of the Open rota of links courses.  The club dates to the 1870s and also includes second 18-hole links, and on the championship course one of the most famous holes in the world of golf, the one called “Postage Stamp.”

In true links fashion, many of the holes are guarded by heather and gorse, pot bunkers and strong winds that typically blow across the links as a southwesterly crosswind. Do your scoring early at Troon, they say because the second nine is much tougher than the front nine.

Royal Troon had a men-only membership policy for its entire existence until voting, in 2016, to begin allowing women to join the club as members. (Women were always able to play the golf course.)

Founded in 1878 by a few enthusiasts Troon Golf Club soon outgrew its purely local reputation.  The Open returned to the Ayrshire town for the ninth time in 2016 when the 145th Championship was played at Royal Troon. Golfers the world over vie to play Royal Troon’s famous courses and we encourage visitors to experience one of the most demanding Championship courses on the circuit. Visitors are most warmly welcomed at Royal Troon Golf Club from mid-April until mid-October each year on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Great golf course, outstanding service, and full of history. A world-class golf experience. The course is one of the very best anywhere and is in great condition and challenging. Hosted The Open and other major golf events. Caddies are wonderful and make the experience even better. The clubhouse has a lot of history. Highly recommended.

WHY PLAY?

TURNBERRY AILSA

£250

SUMMARY

Turnberry Ailsa Course, one of Scotland’s Crown Jewels of Golf,  reopened after extensive redevelopment on 1st June 2016. Until that time Turnberry Ailsa had long been regarded as one of the finest courses in the world.  However, the changes introduced by Donald Trump and Martin Ebert raised Turnberry Ailsa to a whole new level of excellence.  As a result, the course is now regarded as Scotlands Finest.

The Ailsa came to international prominence in the 1977 Open Championship with the famous ‘duel in the sun’ between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.  The weather was wonderful and a capacity crowd was treated to an exhilarating display of golf from two of the best golfers the world has ever known.

Scene of some of the most memorable moments in Open history, the Ailsa Championship course is a legend in the world game. Watson, Norman, Price, Cink; they’ve all won The Claret Jug, golf’s most coveted trophy here on the Turnberry links.

No hole has been left untouched but the main changes have been to the 4th, 6th, 9th,10th 11th, and 14th. Expect to experience ingenious architecture at one of the greatest golf links as you follow in the footsteps of Watson, Norman, Price, Cink with an unforgettable golf experience in Scotland’s historic West Coast.

The first 3 holes always a tough opening into the prevailing southwest wind have been improved by extending the 1st and the greens of all three holes have been modified to allow extra options for pin positions.

The 4th to 11th hug the coast of The Firth of Clyde and the walk from the 5th green to the new shorter, but demanding, 6th hole provides a stunning view over Turnberry bay to Ailsa Craig, The Isle of Arran, and Northern Ireland on a clear day.

The new 9th hole, now a long par 3, with the green adjacent to the iconic lighthouse, now the halfway house, replaces the hogs back fairway. The 10th is now a long par 5 sweeping around the bay to the par 3 11th which has been moved close to the sea.

The 14th now snakes uphill to the green with the lighthouse and Arran as a spectacular backdrop and the finishing hole now extends from the dunes overlooking the sea directly towards the famous hotel providing a stunning finish.

Quite simply If you are putting together your ‘Bucket List’ of must-play courses.  As the Golf Gurus said ‘any trip to Scotland devoid of Ailsa would be borderline Unforgivable’.  We agree.  The Ailsa course at Turnberry is one of the great golf courses anywhere in the world.  Live your dash and join the long list of golfers who for centuries have walked these hallowed links.

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WHY PLAY?

ROYAL ABERDEEN

£195

SUMMARY

The Balgownie Links at Royal Aberdeen is probably the best course that most golfers will ever play.   This incredible course, which is steeped in golf history, should be close to the very top of any golfers must-play list.  There is a reason that Royal Aberdeen is not only Rated as the Number 1 Course in Scotland’s North East but also Top 10 in Scotland and just outside of the World Top 50.

The course is recognised for being one of the most genuine pure links golf experiences anywhere. Like most ancient links Royal Aberdeen is a traditional out and back course which follows the sublime North Sea Coastline shared with Murcar LInks. Local golfers believe that the best 18 holes in links golf is the front nine at Royal Aberdeen followed by holes 2-10 at neighbouring Murcar Links Golf Club

The World-Renowned Front Nine is truly exceptional.  Your round starts right under the clubhouse window and the fairway takes you to the sea.  The holes now run parallel to the shore, weaving their way through towering sand dunes. Many believe this to be the finest front nine holes in all of links golf.  Play the course that keeps on giving and decide for yourself ?. Hole-after-hole the course just keeps on delivering world-class holes for golfers to enjoy, savour and remember for a lifetime.

As you make the turn for home and head towards the clubhouse. The back nine is played on much higher ground and you can expect to experience many stunning Vistas and the North Sea views.  All 18 holes are a joy as the routing takes you on a thrilling journey of discovery through the massive dunes on the outward half. 

The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was founded in 1780 and claims to be the sixth oldest golf club in the world. It was founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815 subsequently receiving royal patronage in 1903. The members originally played over a public strip of common land between the Don and the Dee. In 1815 the society changed its name to the Aberdeen Golf Club. The common land was becoming over-crowded, so in 1886 they decided to move to their present home, the Balgownie links, north of the river Don, which opened for play in 1888. The royal title was finally applied in 1903, despite the fact that Prince Leopold granted patronage more than 30 years earlier.
A trio of Simpsons had a hand in fashioning this course, brothers Robert and Archie and then the flamboyant Tom Simpson. J. H. Taylor, James Braid and most recently Donald Steel also made revisions.

Royal Aberdeen produces the perfect mix of challenge, fun, exasperation and rewards its accolades include the Hosting of The 2005 & 2014 Senior British Open and the European Tours 2014 Scottish Open.

WHY PLAY?

ROYAL DORNOCH

£195

NOW ON THE TEE SUMMARY

The Links at Royal Dornoch has grown in reputation to the point where it has now taken its rightful place amongst the crown jewels of Scottish Golf.  The course, which is steeped in golf history, has no weaknesses and is described as a spiritual golf experience by many.   Royal Dornoch takes links golf to a new level and has become one of The Worlds Top 10 Rated courses.

Dornoch is located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and is actually the most remote Championship Golf course in all of Scotland and the UK.  The course was under the radar for many years because of its remote location.  Surprisingly it has yet to host a Major event but the emergence of the nearby Castle Stuart Championship Course has helped put Dornoch and the Highlands of Scotland firmly on the map as a world-class golf destination.

Your visual Golf experience starts as you take the walk from the second Green to the third Tee.  All of a sudden the entire course spectacularly opens up and the course layout and coastline come into view.  It’s no surprise that The 2021 Golf Magazines Top 100 has it listed at number 10 in the world.  To give you some perspective Augusta National which hosts the Masters is Listed at Number 9!.

The course itself is ancient, despite being founded in 1877 golf has played on these links for hundreds of years.  Dornoch is steeped in golf history. Donald Ross one of the world’s most acclaimed Designers was born in Dornoch and grew up playing the course. Later he became the ‘keeper of the Greens’ and the first-ever Professional Golfer.

In keeping with early golf course architecture, the routing of Dornoch is an out-and-back design exactly as The Old Course. The attention to detail, that makes Dornoch such a wonderful experience,  is around you everywhere.  There are just so many different small things that elevate Royal Dornoch and its playability.

The course always seems to be in perfect condition.  The greens are fast and pure, and the bunkering and the green complexes are standout features.  Your best Course Management is required to Score well.  Many of the greens are elevated and missing the green by just a few feet can be disastrous as your ball finds a run off area amd funnels down and away into the hollows.

The Yardage book is essential reading.  If you follow the advice and give thought to some of the searching questions posed you will have an immersive golf experience.  Dornoch is not a course to obsess about your score or the match you are playing.  Take your right of passage as Donald Ross, Old Tom Morris, and all Golfers have done.  Dornoch for some is a spiritual experience as they reflect on those who have gone before them anbd walked these fairways.  If there was ever there was a course to immerse yourself in Scottyish Golf, its history, and traditions, you’ve come to the right place.

If you are on the fence about the long drive my advice is to make this trip, you won’t regret it. Before you go leave your home club Ballmarker in the Dornoch Shrine as  homage to all the golfers who have gone before you.

WHY PLAY?

DUMBARNIE LINKS

£258

COURSE SUMMARY

Dumbarnie Links, Scotland’s latest world-class links golf course, opens to golfers on 29 May 2020. Covid may have delayed its opening and subsequent arrival on the world stage.  But it won’t be long until golfers from the four corners of the world get the privilege to play this new masterpiece.

Somehow It seems fitting that Dumbarnie was built on an incredible piece of land overlooking the Firth of Forth directly towards Muirfield where the first 13 rules of golf were written in 1744.  This visually stunning pure links golf course was founded, designed, and developed by the highly acclaimed and former Ryder Cup Player Clive Clark.  If there was ever a labour of love this was surely it!.

Clark who partnered with Peter Alliss has a portfolio and has won many awards for over 30 courses in Europe and North America.

Located in the Kingdom of Fife.  In an area of Scotland already blessed with some of the world’s top links golf courses. This course, which was built on 600 natural sand dunes, is no pretender to the throne and will undoubtedly take its place amongst Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

The Dumbarnie Golf Course is part of the Balcarres Estate which spans 5000 acres.  This incredible piece of rediscovered land has 1.5 miles of beach which front many of the holes.  The land has been in Lord Balniel’s family for 400 years. Incredibly no less than 14 of the holes on the course have panoramic or sea views of the bay which is similar to the likes of Pebble Beach.

The course is split by an escarpment.  This provides the elevation changes that made it possible to create a number of elevated tees from where there are some wonderful panoramic views of the Forth. Expect to have a lot of fun on the 4 holes that play from the top elevation to fairways 50 feet below.

The playability of the course is also remarkable with wide fairways and expansive greens but make no mistake this course is not a walk in the park.  You really do need to keep your wits about yourself and think your way around the course. The course has split fairways on the 5th and 13th Holes where you can take a risk by driving into the narrow side of the fairway and get 50 yards closer to the hole.  There are also 3 short par 4s which can be drivable depending on the weather and tees you are playing.

Quite simply this is a must-play course for all golfers who enjoy links golf.  The course looks established like it has been there forever. It is visually spectacular and has wonderful views over the Firth of Forth to Scotlands Golf Coast which as the crow flies is only 10 miles away yet takes almost 2 hours to drive.  The only noticeable thing that is quite different is the pure white sand in the low maintenance Eco bunkers.

WHY PLAY?

NORTH BERWICK WEST LINKS

£150

SUMMARY

The West Links Course at North Berwick Golf Club is among the world’s oldest golf courses. Established in 1832. It’s believed to be the 3rd oldest golf course in the world after St. Andrews Old course and Musselburgh.

Located on Scotland’s Golf Coast, which boasts 21 Scottish golf courses along 30 miles of stunning Firth of Forth coastline. There truly is something for everyone. Wonderful Championship links golf courses, Hidden Gems and an unparalleled selection of courses to suit golfers of all standards.

Located on the Firth of Forth, the sea comes into play on six holes (!), and the course begins and ends directly adjacent to the town of North Berwick. All 18 holes at the 6,500-yard track present unique design features that stimulate a golfer’s creative juices. From rock walls that snake across and along several holes to huge swales that dissect greens, every shot is met with challenges that can be both fun and frustrating at once. Visitors aren’t allowed to play the course from the tips, so the three single-digit handicappers I played with teed it up from the white tees, which measure 6,140 yards. That might seem short, but it was plenty difficult.Golf has been played over the historic West Links course since the 17th century, and we continue to play over the same piece of land as they did back then. With breathtaking views of the Firth of Forth and islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra, as well as the town of North Berwick itself, there are few places better in the world to play golf!

A true championship links course, having hosted Final Qualifying for The Open Championship and both Gentlemen and Ladies Amateur Championships. An excellent test of golf awaits you.

The West Links Course is a true links located on the edge of the Firth of Forth. It is a championship course having hosted many events over the years.

Playing the course is all about imagination with the sea in play on 6 holes! The beach is just one long and sometimes wet hazard if the tide is in. You will find walls in the middle of fairways and in front of a green. All of these hazards are an important part of our history charting the development of the course from a few holes through to the full 18 hole course. You will enjoy on your visit.

WHY PLAY?

CRUDEN BAY

£160

COURSE SUMMARY

Cruden Bay is a thrilling and visually stunning golf course located on Scotland’s east coast just 23 miles north of Aberdeen. Even in Scotland, the Home of Golf,  it’s very rare to find a course with such incredible, elevated views of the sea.  Expect to experience the sense of seclusion created by numerous towering sandhills,  some 3 stories high,  enabling that wonderful feeling of intimacy.

Golfers will enjoy the surprise of not knowing what comes next and the highlights that lie in store ahead.  This is part of Cruden Bays charm.  There are a few quirks such as blind shots and back to back par 3s but your focus will be occupied by navigating some of the most fearsome sand dunes in Scotland. This is the course that keeps on giving so you should expect to discover some unexpected features and enjoy some great surprises during your round.

So If you love the idea of playing a wild-looking, rugged course with Huge sand dunes, rolling fairways, and incredible elevation changes this would be a superb choice.  The golfing test here has remained consistent for almost 100 years.

.Originally designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris who was assisted by Archie Simpson a Professional Golfer and the Head Greenkeeper at the nearby Royal Aberdeen Golf links. The course open for play in 1899 however it is believed that golf has been played on these links since 1791.

Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler were brought in to make some revisions to Cruden Bay’s design in 1926.  They helped incorporate more of the natural elements of the land and dunes to wonderful effect.  This created a thrilling duneland that was designed for golf whilst adhering to much of the course’s original routing.

Considered a masterpiece by many you can expect a thrilling golf experience as you navigate the huge sand dunes, elevated tees and rolling fairways with its humps and hollows. The punchbowl greens are fun to play and the spectacular views of the partially wooded glens set against the backdrop of the North Sea will stay with you. Many of the holes are secluded by the huge dunes which surround,

The 4th hole at Cruden Bay is called Port Erroll.  It is described in the book ‘A Century of Golf at Cruden Bay’  as follows: “Thus named because the Water of Cruden runs along the left side of the fairway, with the old fishing village of Port Erroll on the opposite bank. The harbour is itself visible in the near distance. This is one of Simpson’s best par threes and one of Cruden Bay’s best holes. Playing straight towards the sea (and often into the wind) from an elevated tee carved out of one imposing sandhill across a deep grassy hollow to an elevated green carved out of the facing sandhill. The tee shot must carry straight and all the way to the green – it is serious business, indeed

Cruden Bay is a must-play course as it provides great entertainment with its stunning panoramic sea views framed with a perfect white sandy beach, driveable par fours, blind drives, back-to-back par threes.

WHERE IS THIS

KINGSBARNS GOLF COURSE

£268

NOW ON THE TEE SUMMARY

Kingsbarns reopened as a Golf Course for the third time in 2000. Recognised by golfers as one of the most scenic and challenging links golf courses in Scotland. Expect to experience a lot of elevation changes and be enthralled by the spectacular scenery. Kingsbarns is a new jewel that shines bright in the Scottish golf scene. After your round be sure to spend some time at the beautiful clubhouse.

From the moment you arrive at Kingsbarns Golf Course, you will sense that you’re in for something special during and after your round.  If you like whisky then you will have already driven past and planned a post-round visit to Kingsbarns Distillery.  Kingsbarns staff are friendly, the practice facilities are top class and the Pro shop is well stocked.  There’s just enough time to buy a few authentic Scottish golf collectibles to take back to the friends you left behind!

The course routing is ingenious, crescent-shaped as it follows the Fife coast.  There are holes with separate levels providing sea views from every fairway.

Golf has been played in and around Kingsbarns since 1793. The original Kingsbarns Golfing Society was established in 1815 and its members played on the original 9-hole Kingsbarns course until it closed in 1850

The course was re-established in 1922 and the golfing society was reformed as Kingsbarns Golf Club which remains in existence today. Course Designer Willie Auchterlonie laid out the course in 1922 which closed again at the onset of the Second World War. Land mines were buried on the course site as part of the national security defence effort and the ground reverted to rough pasture.

Construction of the current Kingsbarns Golf Links began in November 1997 under the direction of architect Kyle Phillips and the course opened in July 2000. The course has no membership and welcomes visitors.