With almost 600 golf courses in Scotland to choose from, we take a look at just five where you can practiceScotland Golf your game:
With Thomas Bjorn winning the European Golf Masters, the FedEx Cup playoffs continuing until the end of September and the recent balmy weather in the UK, you may be inspired and tempted to play a round yourself. And even if it was raining, you could always clamber into some golf waterproof trousers to swing those awesome new golf wedges like you’re winning…
Why not head up to the home of golf for a game, too? With almost 600 golf courses in Scotland set amongst staggering scenery and outstanding coastline you’re spoiled for choice. Take the Boat of Garten, for example in the Cairngorms and just a short drive from Aviemore. With panoramic views of Braerich and Lairig Ghru, steam trains shunting past and the river Spey, the Boat of Garten at the gateway of the Highlands is a beautiful course to play a round on.
Or why not head to the home of golf – the Kingdom of Fife and play at Elie? Elie is in a delightful coastal village with views across to East Lothian and Edinburgh. Elie was also home to five times British Open Champion James Braid. Start by looking at the hidden first fairway through the periscope originally from the HMS Excalibur next to the starters hut. This is an unusual course, not least because of the periscope and blind opening drive. The 12th hole and onward runs alongside the Firth of Forth, with stunning views of the sandy beach, the strong wind from the sea poses a challenge and the closing two holes take the player back into town. This is a quaint, tough and historical links course.
Hidden away between Tayport and Leuchars in Fife, is Scotscraig. Another challenging course with a strong breeze to test all golfers, Scotscraig tests accuracy rather than length. The first hole is known as ‘The Admiral’ named after Admiral Maitland-Dougall who won sixteen Royal and Ancient spring and autumn medals on the old course at St Andrews. Although not as well known as other courses in Fife, tucked away from the coast and surrounded by conifers, Scotscraig is certainly a hidden gem.
Montrose in Angus is the fifth oldest course in the world, with three separate golf clubs playing these old links. As such it is still very much a links course that has been shaped by nature rather than design, full of dunes, covered in gorse and springy turf. The holes are laid out within an unusual, almost T-shape, with the first nine following the shoreline, the next four turning inland and the last five heading toward the North Sea. Another course with fantastic views.
Finally, there’s always Blairgowrie at Rosemount at the foot of the Grampians. Originally a nine hole course in 1889, James Braid added a further nine holes in the 1930’s. The original nine holes are scattered around a 2,327 yard track among healthland known as ‘The Wee’ – no laughing at the back. All of them, however, are carved through the trees, making for a tranquil round of golf in an almost amphitheater like setting. The 17th hole is known as ‘the Plateau’, a par three on a two tiered green. Overall, this makes for a pleasant, rather than challenging round of golf.
Periscopes, strong sea breezes, mountains…. what are you waiting for?!
Attribute to: Duncan Cumming
Although Duncan runs his own digital marketing agency, Cayenne Red by day, he has been writing for over 5 years about a range of topics, including lifestyle, fashion, sports and technology. His love for golf however has fueled his desire to write helpful, informative and interesting articles about the sport.
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