SCOTLAND
AUCHTERARDER, PERTHSHIRE
It sits right next to legendary Gleneagles and is a splendid, easy-walking parkland layout with a variety of challenging holes – it may be under 6,000 yards but it is still a good allround test of your game. Green fees: £45.50 Mon-thurs. Tel: 01764 662804.
BLAIRGOWRIE (WEE), PERTHSHIRE
A thoroughly delightful and charming ninehole heathland contrasts beautifully with the club’s highly-regarded neighbouring 18-hole layouts (Lansdowne and Rosemount). It formed part of the original Alister Mackenzie layout and guarantees loads of fun. Green fees: £17.50. Tel: 01250 872622.
BRORA, SUTHERLAND
Timeless James Braid design and everyone who plays here comes off buzzing – not because they accidentally touched one of the green-protecting electrified fences but because it is one of the most enigmatic, exhilarating links courses around. Green fees: £40 after 4pm. Tel: 01408 621417.
CULLEN, ABERDEENSHIRE
Cullen is distinctively dominated by towering stacks of rusty red sandstone jutting out of the fairways and you’ve got to play from, round and over them. All this drama unfolds on a thin strip of land on the Moray coast. Green fees: £21 midweek, £26 weekends. Tel: 01542 840685.
DUFFTOWN, BANFFSHIRE
A course breathtakingly plotted at the heart of malt whisky country in Speyside, providing an experience likely to leave you punch drunk especially the stand-out 7th and 10th holes, which have been placed in ‘Britain’s 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes’. Green fees: £20. Tel: 01340 820325.
ELIE, FIFE
Sometimes the views on a links can be underwhelming but that’s definitely not the case at this sensational track on the East Neuk of Fife. On arrival, you can’t fail to notice the Starter’s Office – a submarine periscope juts out of the top of it! It guides you down the 1st on this high-calibre links. Green fees: £97 a day (midweek). Tel: 01333 330301
EYEMOUTH, BORDERS
An underrated clifftop course with several memorable holes with the undoubted signature being the intimidating par-3 6th – a nerve-jangling par 3 played across a vast chasm with waves crashing way down below. Green fees: £30 midweek, £35 weekends. Tel: 01890 750004.
NORTH BERWICK, EAST LOTHIAN
Links golf just doesn’t get any more enjoyable, fun and entertaining than the fabled West Links. ‘Blind’ shots, greens guarded by drystone walls and unique bunkers – this St Andrews lookalike has it all, including a brilliant run of holes to finish. Green fees: £75-£110. Tel: 01620 895040.
PRESTWICK, AYRSHIRE
Like North Berwick, Prestwick is well worth paying the extra financial outlay. It is, after all, the birthplace of The Open and has hosted the event 24 times, a record exceeded only by the Old Course at St Andrews. It’s not cheap, but history and entertainment on this level are rare. Green fees: £235 per day (midweek). Tel: 01292 477404.
ST ANDREWS (EDEN), FIFE
Proudly sits close to the fabled Old Course but is very much an unsung hero at the Home of Golf, even ’though the par-70 layout is only slightly more forgiving than its counterparts on the seaward side of the Links. It was created by Harry Colt in 1914. Green fees: From £22. Tel: 01334 466666.
TRAIGH, WEST HIGHLANDS
Remote nine-holer with a couple of stunning par 3s and a par-4 penultimate hole involving a blind drive and second shot! The views are
pretty special too so don’t forget to put your cash in the ‘Honesty Box’ if nobody is around!
Green fees: £20. Tel: 01687 450337.
WHALSAY, SHETLAND ISLES
Britain’s most northerly 18-hole course sits in a wild and inspiring environment, guaranteeing a unique experience. There’s even a good chance that you’ll spot a group of killer whales gliding down the bay by the 7th fairway! The club was formed in 1976 by a group of deep sea fishermen.
Green fees: £25. Tel: 01806 566705.