Golf Breaks in Scotland

Our Choice of The Best Golf Courses in Scotland

As the spiritual home of the royal and ancient sport, Scotland has been something of a pilgrimage for golfers for many, many years. And, while the world is full of amazing destinations and breathtaking courses, there’s truly a unique magic to a golf holiday in Scotland.

But it’s not just a trip into history that appeals to the golfing tourist. Scotland is not just home to iconic names on the golfing landscape, but to courses of the very highest calibre.

Here are a few that you must consider when basing yourself at one of the amazing hotels and resorts in Scotland.

Kingsbarns

One of the delights of staying in and around the St Andrews area at a resort such as Fairmont is that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to iconic, magnificent courses.

And while there’s the obvious clamour to experience the Old Course, there are fewer more memorable golfing occasions than a round at Kingsbarns.

One of the three courses used for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship each autumn, golf has been played at the location since the 1800s. However, the course as it exists today was remodelled and reopened at the turn of the century.

And yet to play it today you’d think it had been this way forever.

Wonderfully landscaped into the natural settings of the Fife coast, with the North Sea spectacularly in view on almost every hole. A classic links layout, the course uses the natural shape of the land to perfection. Fairways that offer interesting rises and dips and greens that slope and get fast as the wind whips across them.

Just a short drive from St Andrews, this is a joy to play and an experience you’ll remember.

The Torrance Course, Fairmont St Andrews

If you are making a stay at the wonderful Fairmont hotel and resort, then you have the joy of the Torrance Course right on your doorstep.

Designed by Denis Griffiths, with the help of local favourite Sam Torrance and golfing legend Gene Sarazen, The Torrance is a newer addition to the multitude of courses to play at St Andrews. And while it may not have the history of its counterparts, it certainly doesn’t lack for enjoyment or challenge to those who play it.

It may not officially classify itself as a links course, but with its clifftop location, sprawling views and wide undulating landscape, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Feature holes include a couple of exhilarating par-3s on eight and seventeen, and across every green and fairway you can indulge in some stunning views of the Fife landscape and the spectacular Tay Estuary.

Knights Course, Meldrum House

While you might associate a Scotland golf holiday with rounds of endless links, there are plenty of quality parkland courses across the country as well. And there are few as picturesque and enjoyable to play as the Knights Course as Meldrum House.

A decent length at 6,400m, Knights offers some beautiful scenery and immaculate conditions that should appeal to any golf tourist coming to the area. A perfect set-up for society Stablefords, the course offers scoring chances for those with form, while there are sneaky sand traps, tight, tree-lined fairways and enough water to seal the fate of plenty of cards.

Royal Aberdeen

For those heading to the north of the country and basing themselves at Meldrum House, then you’d be missing a trick if you didn’t also make for the imperious and impressive Royal Aberdeen.

A classic out-and-back links course, Royal Aberdeen is one of the oldest golf courses in the world, making the trip worth it just to step into a bit of sporting history.

But it’s more than just a call-back to the sport’s heritage. The course is yet another majestic example of spellbinding links, with a front nine that’s as good as any you might play. Taking you away from the clubhouse, each hole presents its own challenges though rarely anything other than tremendous fun to play. As you head for home on the turn, you’re then offered some spectacular views out over the North Sea.

A joy to play, a treat that will stay with all golfers who venture here.

Westerwood

Bearing the typical hallmarks of a Dave Thomas design, the course benefits further from the imagination of co-designer Seve Ballesteros.

The result is a hugely enjoyable golfing experience for golfers coming to holiday in Lanarkshire.

Not unduly long, the course plots its way among the trees and heathers of the area, providing an engaging blend of the scenic and challenging.

It’s very much a holiday course, set up for groups of golfers staying locally or at the impressive hotel and spa resort. The course is as well maintained as you’d expect from a resort layout and offers a lot of fun thanks to slyly located bunkers and water that comes into play throughout the round.

And with glorious views out over the Campsie Hills, you have yet another Scottish setting to enjoy, savour and remember for years to come.

So much choice and so much quality at the home of golf

Of course, there are more iconic golf names across Scotland than you can shake a sand-wedge at. Each venue offers a chance to indulge in the fine and varied heritage of the game. And with so many amazing choices, the chances are you’ll have to come back again and again.

But from the historic courses of Fife, Ayr and Aberdeenshire, to the stunning parklands across the country, coupled with simply sensational views, warm welcomes and heavily-indulged nights out, a golf holiday in Scotland is an unrivalled joy for all lovers of the game. Take your first steps for your next trip by contacting us today.