28 Golf Courses You Have to Play in Scotland

By: Golfshake Editor | Thu 18 Aug 2022

Scotland is the spiritual home of golf and naturally its landscape features an extraordinary depth of courses to choose from. Many of these are historic and iconic, the likes of St Andrews, Carnoustie and Gleneagles, but there are also exceptional layouts that reside under the radar.

Celebrating all of them, we have studied the Golfshake Course Section (where thousands of golfers submit reviews each year) and identified a diverse selection of venues that you should consider playing, which also reflects the variety of regions, green fees and fame that can be discovered throughout the nation.

Each of the places required a minimum of six positive rating posted during the summer months since 2019.

So, there really should be somewhere for everyone below - and several of the destinations boast more than one course, so there is even more richness for you to explore!

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Location: Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "The layout, variety, scenery and hospitality are second to none. Yes, it's expensive, but it's a 'treat' course that if you are lucky, may only play a couple of times, so save up and play it - you'll not be disappointed."

Prestwick Golf Club

Location: Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "As you would expect with links golf the conditions can play a factor and the tees, fairways and greens were superb. Great challenge although not too tough and a real joy to play. This should be a must play for every golfer."

St Andrews Links

Location: Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "It's The Old Course, St Andrews! What more do I need to say, played it with all the stands and scoreboards up in preparation for The Open. Fantastic place, never gets old."

North Berwick Golf Club

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "Loved the course, the back nine stands out as one of if not the best stretches of golf I have played. Lots of quirky interesting holes that will live long in the memory."

Dundonald Links

Location: Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "What a beautiful course, in fantastic condition. Was a bucket list to play and didn't disappoint."

Gullane Golf Club

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "My son and I played No.2 on our way to The Open this year. We got a twilight deal which made the course even better value (would still have been pleased at full price) The course was immaculate and such a good test. It was my son's first experience of links golf and it seemed to bring out the best in him as he broke 100 for the the first time anywhere! If you are in the area you simply must play Gullane. We cannot wait to return, just wish it wasn't 200 miles away!"

Carnoustie Golf Links

Location: Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Anyone visiting Carnoustie will be delighted as there are three courses to choose from, Burnside, Buddon and the Championship. All courses are superb and have different levels of severity. The scores can vary from very placid weather conditions to blowing a gale, a real challenge."

Archerfield Links

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.89

Review Comment: "Excellent, simply excellent all round. A must play."

Gleneagles

Location: Perthshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.89

Review Comment: "The whole Gleneagles setup is simply stunning and it would have been a joy to play any of the courses. As you would expect the PGA was immaculate and stunning, a great challenge but playable for a mid-handicapper."

Fraserburgh Golf Club

Location: Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.71

Review Comment: "I have visited Fraserburgh several times. I had American guests there today. They were blown away by the layout of this fantastic links golf course. The highest praise was heaped upon this traditional links. They had just played St Andrews and Dumbarnie, but rated this course higher. Just play here, that’s it."

Dunbar Golf Club

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.69

Review Comment: "This has been a course I've wanted to play for many years - and expectations were not disappointed!"

Bonar Bridge Golf Club

Location: Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.69

Review Comment: "Beautifully kept, tight wee course. Lovely variety of holes and a nice dogleg par 5 too. The views are nice and the paths between holes provide a pleasant breather. Fabulous clubhouse cafe!"

Tain Golf Club

Location: Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.67

Review Comment: "Playing at Tain is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. As early as the 3rd hole you realise a golfing challenge awaits you - but the course has a tremendous layout. The unique 11th with its stunning outlook over the Dornoch Firth is the signature hole."

Turriff Golf Club

Location: Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.65

Review Comment: "Fantastic layout of course with some very aesthetically beautiful holes. Very testing for all level of golfers."

Edzell Golf Club

Location: Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.61

Review Comment: "Well manicured, interesting selection of holes and a challenge for all levels. Set in a beautiful village, the walk home on the 18th back to the village is one of the best, to hospitality second to none."

Monifieth Golf Links

Location: Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Review Comment: "Monifieth Medal Course is a fabulous lLinks test of golf. Lots of undulating fairways, plenty of the typical links type bunkers, and true, fast running greens. This fantastic course is well worth a visit."

Strathtay Golf Club

Location: Perthshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Review Comment: "Really enjoyed playing nine holes around a course that's completely different from the normal standard layout. Great variety of holes that you play from all kind of angles and elevations testing out your skills."

Portpatrick Golf Club

Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Review Comment: "Stunning place. Amazing views with some challenging holes."

Eyemouth Golf Club

Location: Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Review Comment: "Lovely course, really enjoyed our game and were made to feel welcome by staff and members."

Routenburn Golf Club

Location: Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.51

Review Comment: "Good course to visit and views are stunning on a clear day like today across to Bute, Cumbrae and especially Arran."

Aboyne Golf Club

Location: Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.51

Review Comment: "A fantastic and varied course in excellent condition. And with superb views too."

Drumoig Golf Hotel

Location: Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.50

Review Comment: "Had a great day out, if you are in the area it's a must play golf course, great condition considering the time of year."

Dumfries & County Golf Club

Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "I have played more than 250 courses throughout Europe and these are undoubtedly the best greens I have played on. It's like putting on velvet. If you can't putt here, you can't putt. The rest of the course is as manicured as you will find. Not a long course but undulating and interesting. If you are in the area it is a must play."

Prestonfield Golf Club

Location: Edinburgh

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "A fantastic course and great find well worth visiting. Set at the foot of "Arthur's Seat" in Edinburgh and very picturesque. Great condition, very welcoming staff and good value."

The Musselburgh Golf Club

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "On a visit to Scotland last week I played this course twice. The greenkeepers do a fantastic job, every part of the course was in great condition. It was a great and challenging course to play."

Kilspindie Golf Club

Location: East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.35

Review Comment: "Kilspindie is simply a beautiful course, with stunning views over the Firth of Fourth and beyond. A proper links course, it has history on its side as well, it's the 35th oldest golf course in the world. Only one blind tee shot on the front nine, which is the tougher nine, the second gives you some real opportunities, but not without risk. The staff and members are fabulously friendly, the whole place is a proper golf venue. You simply have got to play here."

Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Location: Edinburgh

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Review Comment: "Two very good courses with excellent facilities. They are both well maintained with a great combination of holes, especially the back nine on the East Course. These holes have you playing through a wooded valley with a couple of long hits over marshy ground, eventually emerging into a big flattering hit downhill. The final par 5 is great fun."