Scotland - How much choice do you want?
Golf in the UK is definitely on the up. Covid has certainly helped to increase participation.
The golf club I play at is now back to a long waiting list to be a member, a while since that has been the case.
With this resurgence and at present the inability to travel abroad lets look at where golf started for our next trip. Scotland provides a myriad of golf courses across the whole spectrum of different venues. Obviously Scotland is synonymous with Links golf and has some of the best courses in the world along it’s shores. Inland there are amazing parkland and heathland courses that stand out from the norm. And then a variety of superb resorts with probably the most famous being Gleneagles.
So where do we start, well let’s keep to one side of the country and stay on the East coast for now. Travelling from England to Scotland let’s go in order.
Dunbar
Classic links on a narrow stretch of land which hugs the coastline waiting for those errant shots. The course is steeped in history both from the tournaments played there and the people who have played, Old Tom, James Braid and Ben Sayer to name a few.
Dunbar has to be a big tick on your Scotland golf shopping list.
Winterfield
Still in Dunbar you have Winterfield Golf Club, short in yards but not in stature.
You have the coastline right at the edge of fairways with fantastic views of Bass Rock.
If you like par 3s then there are 8 to play on the course, but all tough ones at 170 yards plus, so beware.
This is a little gem that will live long in the memory.
Glen Golf Club
Situated in North Berwick, The Glen East Links is a great test and experience. A mixture of links and heathland golf provides variety amongst amazing views of the East Lothian coast.
North Berwick Golf Club
This is one of those stand out courses that any discerning golfer wants to tick off their list.
There is some quirkiness about it, old wall ruins guarding greens and scattered on fairways, the beach that comes in to play.
The West Links course at North Berwick is a true beauty, it holds a good price tag but you won’t be disappointed.
Archerfield
Two courses, one great piece of land. Archerfield is a relaxed place to go and play your golf. Full of tradition yet modern in outlook. It really does strive to provide an amazing customer experience.
The Renaissance Club
Not an easy place to get on and play, this private members golf club is an absolute stunner. We are in the realms of golf courses with big pecs here. It has hosted the Scottish Open on a number of occasions and has been acclaimed as one of the best golfing venues in the world.
If you get the opportunity, don’t miss it, take a deep breath, dig deep in your pockets and go and do your best!
Muirfield
Not much more needs to be said really. Open Championship venue on sixteen occasions. Full of history and character, to play a round of golf and then lunch at Muirfield, in your smart attire of course, is a joyous thing to do.
Gullane 1/2/3
What a golfing town this is. 3 golf courses, all extremely playable, use number 3 as your warm up, 2 & 1 as the courses to give you an amazing links test.
Just soak up the whole place and enjoy the golf, no more to be said.
Luffness New Golf Club
Not too far from Gullane you will find Luffness New Golf Club
A thoroughly enjoyable course, mainly geared towards the members however visitors are welcome any day bar Saturdays.
You are in an extremely traditional environment here, shirt and tie required throughout most of the clubhouse, tailored shorts with long socks on the course. Not for everyone but if you enjoy the traditional quirkiness of golf then Luffness New is the place to be.
Kilspindie Golf Club
People talk about hidden gems, well this course should definitely fit in to that category. When you talk history there are different levels, when you find out this course is the 35th oldest in the world then you can definitely talk history.
Any golfer worth their salt will be enthralled by this place.
Craigielaw Golf Club
Craigielaw is a relative baby and newcomer to the East Lothian coast, opened in 2001 the course has quickly established itself amongst the more heralded courses in the area.
It was built on the traditional values of links golf in the area and provides amazing views towards Edingburgh, including the Castle on a clear day.
Longniddry Golf Club
Even closer to the city is Longniddry. This is a course of decent length, 6260 for gents but it has no par 5s. The course has been used extensively as a qualifying course for the Open and Scottish Open.
It has a difference about it being links and woodland in parts. This is definitely a course not to miss if you want to soak up the true traditions of Scottish golf.
Royal Musslebrugh Golf Club
And now we move to Mussleburgh on our last leg of this stretch of land towards Edinburgh.
And talking of history, how about Royal Mussleburgh being the 5th oldest course in the world! Now that is a long time to gather lots of history and stories.
This parkland course provides a difference amongst all the links courses in the area.
You will be playing golf amongst the real aristocratic courses Scotland and have a feeling of being very privileged to have the opportunity to play on the 5th oldest course in the world. Something you can’t do in many sports.
The Mussleburgh Golf Club
Another parkland course not far from Edinburgh which gives a nice balance from all the links golf.
The course is extremely revered in the higher echelons of the game with the R&A highlighting it as a qualifying course. The course has been used over the years for Open qualifiers and Scottish championships.
So there you have it, what an array of golf courses in a small amount of coastline. You are truly spoilt by the quality of this stretch of land. Take the opportunity to re-engage with the amazing courses on our shores whilst the skies are empty of planes heading to Spain and Portugal.
Find out more about amazing golf in Scotland here including some different resorts and courses
