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 Golf has been part of the sporting landscape in Scotland since at least the 15th century when King James II banned the game by Act of Parliament in 1457 and there is mention of the game being played on a number of courses along the east coast of the country during the 16th century, including Carnoustie (1527), Aberdeen (1538), St Andrews (1552) and Montrose (1562). Courses that developed at these locations, and many others that emerged along the coastline, from Dornoch in the north to Dunbar in the south, still present a formidable challenge to golfers in the modern era.
By 1880, there were 42 different courses in use around the country and that number doubled over the following decade at the beginning of a golf boom that would last for around 30 years. Incredibly, a further 200 courses emerged in the 20 years between 1890 and 1910 as the popularity of the game soared during a period of industrial growth. The next 70 years saw a slow and steady growth in the number of golf courses around the country before the next golf boom of the 1980s and 90s, bringing the total number in Scotland to around 500. That number has since risen to over 560 at the end of 2008 so to all intents and purposes, the second golden era of golf in Scotland is still in full swing. | |
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 |  | | Turnberry (Ailsa) | | The Ailsa course at the Turnberry Resort is probably the most scenic Open Championship golf course. Located right next to the Firth of Clyde, with craggy rocks and superb views across to the Mull of Kintyre... |
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|  | | Muirfield | | Muirfield is the course of “The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers” (HCEG), the world’s oldest golf club – according to direct written evidence – formed in 1744. |
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|  | | Royal Dornoch (Championship) | | Royal Dornoch Golf Club is spellbinding. It seems to mesmerise amateur and professional golfers from all over the world... |
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|  | | Kingsbarns | | One of the many delights of Kingsbarns Golf Links is that you can see the North Sea from virtually every part of the course. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Old) | | No other course has hosted more Opens than the Old Course at St Andrews. Its 28th Open and the 139th Open Championship returned “Home” in 2010. |
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|  | | Loch Lomond | | Loch Lomond Golf Club is set in more than 600 acres of sheltered seclusion, sandwiched between the mountains and the historic lochside. |
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|  | | Carnoustie (Championship) | | Carnoustie is a big natural seaside golf links and the Championship course is considered to be one of the most difficult in the British Isles. |
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|  | | Royal Troon (Old) | | Royal Troon is a traditional out and back links course. On a clear day, you can see the distant Ailsa Craig in the south, and to the west, the majestic mountains on the Isle of Arran. |
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|  | | Machrihanish | | Machrihanish must be one of the most natural, romantic and enjoyable places to play golf in the whole of the British Isles. It’s not long, but it's sheer fun... |
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|  | | North Berwick (West) | | North Berwick is a course that is extremely close to the origins of golf. It’s the second oldest course in the world still playing over its original fairways... |
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|  | | Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie) | | Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is a traditional out and back links running along the shore of the North Sea and is regarded by many as having the finest first nine holes in golf. |
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|  | | Cruden Bay | | Cruden Bay Golf Club is inspirational, regarded by some as quirky and considered by others as a masterpiece. Either way, it's a thrilling course... |
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|  | | Western Gailes | | The holes at Western Gailes Golf Club are wonderfully varied. The fairways undulate gently, interrupted occasionally by three meandering burns... |
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|  | | Nairn | | Nairn Golf Club is one of the most spectacular seaside courses in Scotland, boasting sea views from every hole. |
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|  | | Prestwick | | The course is a traditional monument, an authentic affair with a layout of holes that snake to and fro through rugged dunes and rippled fairways. |
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|  | | Gleneagles (King's) | | Gleneagles is the perfect setting for a game of golf and the King’s course is surely the best moorland track in the world. |
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|  | | Gullane (No.1) | | Gullane Golf Club is blessed with the most exquisite turf – winter rules are not needed here. If you hit the fairways, a perfect lie awaits, even in the depths of winter. |
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|  | | St Andrews (New) | | Situated adjacent to the Old course, the New is often referred to as the local’s favourite because it is tighter and more defined than the Old. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Castle) | | The Castle course is the newest member of St Andrews Links Trust’s portfolio and may be seen by some as the black sheep of the family due to its unnatural links character... |
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|  | | Dundonald | | Owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club, Dundonald is their newest addition. Kyle Phillips designed this natural links course and it's destined for life in the Top 100. |
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|  | | Machrie | | Machrie is a wonderfully nostalgic links course located on the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay, famous for its distilleries and the fabulous rich and “peaty” single malt whisky such as Laphroaig and Bruichladdich. |
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|  | | Gleneagles (Queen's) | | The Queen’s course is the pretty little sister at Gleneagles. She’s only short course but she's exquisitely delicate and stunningly beautiful. |
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|  | | Blairgowrie (Rosemount) | | Blairgowrie is charmingly situated at the feet of the Grampians, amongst the majestic pines, birch and heather. |
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|  | | Spey Valley | | Spey Valley has an old fashioned out and back routing and water comes into play along the way on several occasions. |
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|  | | Ladybank | | Ladybank is one of those courses that really should be a Top 100 regular, because it is one of Scotland’s very best inland courses. |
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|  | | Southerness | | Southerness Golf Club is set on the edge of a remote headland on the peaceful Solway coast and is virtually unknown by the golfing masses. |
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|  | | Montrose (Medal) | | Did you know that the ancient links at Montrose is the fifth oldest course in the world? It has simply been overlooked because its neighbour, the mighty Carnoustie, has overshadowed it. |
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|  | | Downfield | | On the outskirts of Dundee, lies Downfield Golf Club, a stunning parkland course little known outside Scotland. |
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|  | | Turnberry (Kintyre) | | The exhilarating Kintyre course re-opened for play in 2001. This Donald Steel layout is a complete redesign of Turnberry’s old Arran course. |
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|  | | Panmure | | There is a gentle beginning on this Open Qualifying course before Panmure opens up beyond the pine forest. |
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|  | | Brora | | Brora is a fine, natural seaside links. A highland delicacy to be tasted alongside Royal Dornoch. One of the jewels in James Braid's crown. |
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|  | | Archerfield (Dirleton) | | Compared to the Fidra, the Dirleton at Archerfield is a more traditional Scottish links with deep pot bunkers and sand dunes flanking each fairway. |
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|  | | Murcar | | Murcar is located on a classic stretch of links land with huge sand dunes, crumpled fairways, whins, burns and heather. |
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|  | | Moray (Old) | | Moray Old is a traditional treasure - a links which starts and ends in the town. The closing hole is one of the finest in the British Isles. |
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|  | | Boat of Garten | | Make no mistake – this is exciting golf. The lovely Boat of Garten course wends its way, up and down, through heather, whin, pine and birch. |
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|  | | Dunbar | | The course at Dunbar is laid out on a narrow strip of land with the best holes hugging the rocky coastline affording resplendent views across the North Sea to Bass Rock, a huge volcanic lump rising up out of the water. |
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|  | | Duke's St Andrews | | The Duke’s is the course belonging to the famous Old Course Hotel and it’s the only non-links course in St Andrews. |
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|  | | Lundin | | Lundin has a bit of everything: burns, blind drives, out-of-bounds, a nimiety of bunkers (many of which are deep and punishing), the ever-present wind and truly excellent greens. |
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|  | | Renaissance Club | | The Renaissance Club opened in April 2008 with future tournament golf in mind and it's Tom Doak's first Scottish course design. |
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|  | | Archerfield (Fidra) | | Situated between Gullane and North Berwick, the Fidra links has a contrasting mix of pine-flanked and traditional styled links holes. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Torrance) | | The Torrance course at Fairmont St Andrews sweeps dramatically down to the coastline. |
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|  | | Gleneagles (PGA Centenary) | | From the back tees, the PGA Centenary is the longest inland course in Scotland. It's also the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup. |
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|  | | Glasgow Gailes | | Glasgow Gailes is a classic links. “The turf is something softer – at least in my imagination – than that of the East Coast courses,” wrote Darwin, “and the greens are wonderfully green and velvety.” |
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|  | | Roxburghe | | Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the Roxburghe course is set within a 50,000-acre estate, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. |
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|  | | Leven Links | | Leven Links measures a modest 6,506 yards from the medal tees against a par of 71, but the wind often laughs in the face of the yardage figures. |
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|  | | Crail (Balcomie) | | The Balcomie Links is the relatively modern home of the Crail Golfing Society, the seventh oldest golf club in the world, which was formed in 1786. |
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|  | | Monifieth (Medal) | | There are two golf courses at Monifieth but it's the Medal course that's used as an Open qualifying venue when the Open is played at nearby Carnoustie. |
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|  | | Kilmarnock (Barassie) | | Kilmarnock (Barassie) is a classic links, used for Open Championship Final Qualifying when the Open comes to the Ayrshire coast. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Jubilee) | | The Jubilee’s raised tees provide unparalleled views across St Andrews Bay to the east and the fluttering flags on the other St Andrews courses to the west. |
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|  | | Scotscraig | | Scotscraig is situated close to the sea, but it's more heathland in character than links. The course plays over undulating terrain and is used for Open Qualifying when the Open is at St Andrews. |
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|  | | Elie | | The Golf House Club at Elie is where the great James Braid cut his golfing teeth. |
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|  | | Letham Grange (Old) | | If you're fed up slogging your way round the windy links courses, treat yourself to a scenic and tranquil piece of Letham Grange. |
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|  | | Skibo Castle | | Located on the edge of the beautiful Dornoch Firth with views of the Struie Hills, the 7500-acre Skibo Castle estate is something special, very special. It’s a place where fairytales meet reality. |
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|  | | Tain | | Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Tain arguably offers one of the best settings imaginable in the highlands for a round of golf. With sea on one side and the backdrop of the mountains behind. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Kittocks) | | The Kittocks (previously known as the Devlin) is young, but it will grow into a classic. Sweeping alongside the rugged coastline - the views across St Andrews Bay towards the "auld grey toon" are sure to hold your attention. |
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|  | | Gullane (No.2) | | Many prefer Gullane No.2 to No.1 - it's a course of great variety and challenge...it was used for Open Championship Qualifying in 1980. |
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|  | | Irvine | | Irvine Golf Club represents a tough test of golf. It's a classic traditional links course and plays host to Open Championship Final Qualifying... |
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|  | | Blairgowrie (Lansdowne) | | The Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie is routed through swathes of pine and silver birch trees which put a premium on accuracy off the tee. |
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|  | | Carrick | | The Carrick is the latest golfing facility to be added to the De Vere Deluxe Resort at Cameron House, Loch Lomond. |
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|  | | Dalmahoy (East) | | Dalmahoy's East course was designed by the great James Braid, and it’s set amongst 1,000 acres of rolling, wooded parkland. |
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|  | | Royal Burgess | | Known as the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh since 1929, the club proudly takes their role in the history and tradition of golf very seriously... |
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|  | | Lanark | | Lanark is an ancient, natural moorland course. The 25th oldest golf club in the world. |
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|  | | Fraserburgh (Corbie) | | Fraserburgh Golf Club was founded in 1881 and the great James Braid designed this natural links course. |
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|  | | Royal Musselburgh | | Founded in 1774, Royal Musselburgh is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. The baronial clubhouse contains plenty of interesting golfing memorabilia. |
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|  | | Cardrona | | Cardrona is a combination of mature parkland and woodland, with spectacular views of the Tweed Valley...everything is in harmony with its surroundings. |
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|  | | Fortrose & Rosemarkie | | Fortrose & Rosemarkie lies north of Inverness on a narrow peninsula which juts out into Rosemarkie Bay... |
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|  | | Glen | | Glorious coastal views complement the delightful North Berwick East Links - Glen Golf Club is a true gem. |
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|  | | Portpatrick (Dunskey) | | Although the ground is rolling moorland and seaside heathland in nature, Portpatrick also has a very links-like feel to it. |
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|  | | Troon Darley | | Challenging, strategic and a true test of golf is how the locals describe Troon Darley and it's also tremendous value for money. |
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|  | | Edzell (Old) | | Edzell Golf Club is located at the Gateway to the Grampians... it's one of Scotland's lesser-known golfing delights. |
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|  | | Duff House Royal | | Duff House Royal is a beautiful parkland course with large double–tiered greens (Alister Mackenzie design features) and well positioned bunkers... |
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|  | | Kilspindie | | Although it's not long, Kilspindie is everything that links golf should be. Step back in time and enjoy this true gem. |
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|  | | Belleisle | | Ayr Belleisle is one of the best public courses in Scotland...designed by the great James Braid. |
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|  | | Nairn Dunbar | | Situated on the shores of the Moray Firth, Nairn Dunbar is a classic course, steeped in history. |
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|  | | Longniddry | | With four of the very best golf course architects having left their distinguished marks on Longniddry, it is a rather special place to play golf. |
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|  | | Prestwick St Nicholas | | Prestwick St Nicholas is a traditional links course with commanding views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. |
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|  | | West Kilbride | | West Kilbride really gets the pulse racing around the turn with a nice loop of holes. |
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|  | | St Andrews (Eden) | | Designed by Harry Colt in 1914, the Eden bears many of his hallmarks – more strategic than punishing – especially with the greens which established the benchmark for modern putting surface design. |
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|  | | Craigielaw | | Craigielaw has blended so well into the landscape, you would be hard pressed to know that it was anything less than a century old. |
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|  | | East Renfrewshire | | The East Renfrewshire Golf Club, or ‘East Ren’ as it is known was established in 1922 and the great James Braid designed the course. |
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|  | | Mortonhall | | Mortonhall Golf Club is rightly regarded as one of the best parkland courses in the Lothians with many holes characterised by mature trees that define wide, open fairways, leading to large, beautifully tended greens. |
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|  | | Pitlochry | | If you can survive the climb up the first few holes at Pitlochry, then the views are quite possibly the most breathtaking in golf. |
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|  | | Powfoot | | Powfoot Golf Club was founded in 1903 and the majority of the layout weaves its way beside the Solway Firth and across undulating links land with the last four holes taking on a more park-like appearance. |
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|  | | Meldrum House | | Meldrum House is a beautiful parkland layout measuring a little less than 6,400 yards from the back markers... |
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|  | | Bruntsfield Links | | The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society dates back to 1761... but the current parkland course is relatively young, dating back to 1897. |
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|  | | Peterhead (Old) | | Butch Harmon declared to those members present when he visited in 2005 that Peterhead Old course was a real "hidden gem" which he really enjoyed playing. |
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|  | | Duddingston | | Duddingston is well respected in the Lothians as one of the county's best with a run of demanding par fours from the 11th to the 13th holes. |
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|  | | Shiskine | | Shiskine is one of the most unusual courses featured on this website, a links that has reached true cult status. |
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|  | | Stranraer | | Situated on an escarpment beside Loch Ryan, Stranraer Golf Club is laid out on former farmland with many stands of mature trees. |
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|  | | Carnoustie (Burnside) | | The Burnside course at Carnoustie has been used in the past for qualifying when the Open has been held on the Championship course... |
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|  | | Crail (Craighead) | | It’s a mystery as to why the Craighead has not featured in any golf course ranking tables since it came into play in 1999... |
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|  | | Newmachar (Hawkshill) | | Newmachar is one of the most progressive golf clubs in this area of Scotland, boasting two exceptional 18-hole courses, Swailend and Hawkshill... |
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|  | | Inverness | | Inverness is a parkland course that has been used in the past to hold the Northern Open for Scottish golf professionals. |
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|  | | Whitekirk | | From its generally elevated position, Whitekirk Golf & Country Club enjoys commanding views of Bass Rock, Berwick Law and Tantallon Castle. |
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|  | | Gullane (No.3) | | Despite its meagre yardage, Gullane No.3 course will test the best golfers. It's certainly a worthy gem and excellent value too. |
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|  | | Dunfermline | | Dunfermline’s parkland layout has an overall yardage of 6,121 yards (par 72) arranged in two loops of nine which end at the clubhouse. |
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|  | | Ratho Park | | Ratho Park is laid out on a compact site bounded on two sides by the Union Canal, virtually shielded from the outside world by mature trees surrounding the property... |
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|  | | Haggs Castle | | Such is the quality of Haggs Castle, it has hosted a number of European Tour and Scottish PGA events over the years. |
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|  | | Musselburgh (Old) | | The Old Links at Musselburgh is possibly the oldest playing golf course in the world. |
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