THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO...
BLAIRGOWRIE (LANSDOWNE)
Why it’s special: This worthy neighbour of the Rosemount is routed through swathes of pine and silver birch, putting a premium on accuracy from the tee while your approach work also needs to be spot-on to find the smallish greens. Green fees: £65 Oct & £25 from Nov. 01250 872622
www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk
GRANTOWN ON SPEY
Why it’s special: The joint handiwork of Willie Park and James Braid offers three contrasting six-hole sections, a number of classic short par 4s and, being located within the Cairngorms, views to thrill. Green fees: From £30. 01479 872079,
www.grantownonspeygc.co.uk
PETERHEAD
Why it’s special: Ancient undulating links, known locally as Craigewan Links, with a plethora of memorable holes; the stretch between holes 5-10, played through giant dunesland, would be our pick.
Green fees: £45 a round (on a day ticket). 01779 472149 www.peterheadgolfclub.co.uk
CRAIL (BALCOMIE)
Why it’s special: Home of the seventh oldest club in the world, this is a traditional links that comes a lot cheaper than its famous Fife counterparts. It’s pretty short, but there’s still testing par 4s, shots from clifftops (notably the 1st) and a steady North Sea breeze. Green fees: From £36. 01333 450960 www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk
MONTROSE (MEDAL)
Why it’s special: There are two parts to the historic Medal: the first basically follows the lines of the dunes and beach, while the second plays back towards town before returning to the dunes. Now known as the 1562 Course (when golf was first played here). Green fees: From £35. 01674 672634 www.montroselinks.com
LANARK
Why it’s special: Scotland doesn’t do inland golf as well as seaside fayre though there are some notable exceptions and this, a moorland classic just off the M74, is one of them. The perfect starting point – or climax – to a golf break north of the border. Green fees: From £30. 01555 661456
www.lanarkgolfclub.co.uk
SHISKINE
Why it’s special: Probably the best 12-holer in the world. This wildly undulating links overlooks the Kilbrannan Sound towards Kintyre and provides a unique and quirky experience, taking around a couple of hours to get around. Green fees: £25 midweek, £30 weekends. 01770 860226 www.shiskinegolf.com
GOLSPIE
Why it’s special: Brings together a bit of everything – lush parkland, rugged heath and billowing links and the 9th hole, a rolling, heather-lined left dogleg known as Paradise, sums Golspie up to a tee. You’ll stand in awe too of the Dornoch Firth and Ben Bhraggie views. Green fees: From £35 (James Braid Association members). 01408 633266 www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk
KILSPINDIE
Why it’s special: East Lothian’s starstudded Golf Coast’s unsung hero is a magical old links overlooking the Firth of Forth and the home of the 35th oldest club in the world (founded in 1867). The quick, deceptive greens provide a real putting examination. Green fees: £55 midweek. 01875 870358 www.kilspindiegolfclub.co.uk
FORTROSE & ROSEMARKIE
Why it’s special: Remote century-old Highlands links which majestically sits on the Chanonry Peninsula providing awesome Moray Firth views which are worth the green fee alone. Green fees: From £25. 01381 620529 www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk
NAIRN DUNBAR
Why it’s special: On the stunning Moray Firth coast behind the rugged dunes of Nairn’s East Beach, you’ll find a cracking links in superb condition throughout the year. Green fees: From £25. 01667 452741 www.nairndunbar.com
DOWNFIELD
Why it’s special: One of Scotland’s best inland layouts provides pure parkland pleasure and is a splendid foil for the nearby fabled links. Set in beautiful parkland, it has staged final qualifying for the last two Carnoustie Opens.
Green fees: From £30. 01382 825595
www.downfieldgolf.com
PORTPATRICK (DUNSKEY)
Why it’s special: An intoxicating mixture of rolling moorland and seaside heath sitting around 150ft above sea level and provides plenty of fireworks with some spectacular stuff along the cliffs with the par-4 13th being the pick of the bunch.
Green fees: £40. 01776 810273
www.portpatrickgolfclub.com
TAIN
Why it’s special: Home of a treasure of an Old Tom Morris links, Tain is a thoroughly
charming seaside course which not only is the longest in Ross-shire, but races through a mixed environment of seaside, river, gorse and broom with typically linksy lumps and hollows.
Green fees: From £25. 01862 892314
www.tain-golfclub.co.uk
IRVINE
Why it’s special: It’s surrounded by a battery of awesome Ayrshire links, but this is a must play too, ensuring year-round seaside golf with the romantic peaks of Arran presenting a stunning backdrop. Regularly used by the R&A as a Final Open Qualifying course. Green fees: £60 a round, £70 per day (midweek). 01294 275979
www.theirvinegolfclub.co.uk
WEST KILBRIDE
Why it’s special: Cute if little-known Ayrshire links in the town of Seamill. Though it’s on the short side it can still beat you up if the wind gets up or you stray into the penal bunkers. Spectacular Firth of Clyde and Arran views.
Green fees: From £30. 01294 823042
www.westkilbridegolfclub.com
STRANRAER
Why it’s special: The legendary James Braid was brought out of retirement to plan Stranraer, but sadly he died before it was completed. As you’d expect, the mature, hilly parkland is a great test… and a fitting final tribute with cracking views of Ailsa Craig and Arran. Green fees: £35 midweek, £40 weekends. 01776 870245
www.stranraergolfclub.net
PITLOCHRY
Why it’s special: Something of a hidden gem even though it’s been around for nearly 110 years! The par 69 layout is short, but it’s no stroll in the park and you’ll be knocked out by the combination of the conditioning, the sweeping Tummel valley views and the outstanding clubhouse. Green fees: £40 midweek, £50 weekends. 01796 472792 www.pitlochrygolf.co.uk
SPEY VALLEY
Why it’s special: There can be few more scenic places to play than Spey Valley with the river running through it and backdropped by the peaks of the Cairngorms. It’s a modern masterpiece, long and tough and an absolute must play. Green fees: From £49. 0844 879 9152
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
LONGNIDDRY
Why it’s special: East Lothian mix of links turf, pine trees and gorse. You move through holes of different shapes and colour – first through trees, then out in the open: it’s one of Scotland’s Golf Coast’s excellent ‘second tier’ courses and is chockablock with surprises.
Green fees: From £30 midweek, £45 weekends. 01875 852141
www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk
ASKERNISH
Why it’s special: Set on the stunning island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Askernish – originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891 only to fall into disrepair – has been resurrected and is now alive and kicking. The journey to get there is an adventure in itself.
Green fees: From £25. 01878 700101
www.askernishgolfclub.com
BRUNTSFIELD LINKS
Why it’s special: It’s steeped in history: the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is the fourth oldest in the world and the mature parkland layout is the joint handiwork of