50 Must Play Scottish Golf Courses That Are Not Links

When you think of golf in Scotland, you will probably have the image in your mind of St Andrews, Troon or Carnoustie. Links golf is the purest form of the game and is internationally perceived to be quintessentially Scottish, but the reality is that the overwhelming majority of the nation's approximately 550 courses are not on the seaside.

This summer - in 2024 - links golf is the story in Scotland, with the Scottish Open at Renaissance Club, The Open at Royal Troon, the Senior Open at Carnoustie, the Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald and the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews, but that image - while enchanting - is only a narrow view into the spiritual home of golf.

We thought it would be a good idea to shift the spotlight to the many non-links layouts you can play in Scotland - and there are many exceptional ones.

Looking at the Golfshake Course Section - and those venues that have been rated the most positively by everyday golfers - we have picked out a comprehensive selection of the very best non-links courses in Scotland.

If you're looking for an alternative trip or a round away from the seaside, then here are some Highly Recommended places to consider!

Gleneagles

Location: Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.88

Green Fees: From £200 (King's, PGA, Queen's)

Review Comment: "The very best. Played the King's and it was exceptional, the entire experience and service from restaurant and bar staff, the check in staff, the marshalls and the locker attendants was perfect, well done to all, best golf course in the UK in my opinion."

Kingussie Golf Club

Location: Kingussie, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.78

Green Fees: From £30

Review Comment: "An absolute joy to play. Beautiful course and condition, welcoming staff."

Blairgowrie Golf Club

Location: Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.78

Green Fees: From £140 (Rosemount & Lansdowne)

Review Comment: "The course is just superb, lovely clubhouse, a great welcome from the staff, and the food is exactly what you would want at a golf club, great quality and a good quantity. For those that have not played at Blairgowrie, you are missing out on a golf course that must rank in the top five heathland courses in the UK."

Largs Golf Club

Location: Largs, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.75

Green Fees: From £40

Review Comment: "I’ve played this before but still find it very challenging, it’s a great course for all handicaps."

Spey Valley Golf Course

Location: Aviemore, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.72

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "Beautiful course, long but fair, greens were superb, and the views even better! All in all a must if you're visiting the Highlands for a golf trip."

The Hirsel Golf Club

Location: Coldstream, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.69

Green Fees: From £35

Review Comment: "Exceptional. An absolute pleasure to play this course, one of my favourites if not actual favourite."

West Linton Golf Club

Location: West Linton, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.69

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "Played this course a few times and it has always been a nice course, however this time it was in the best condition I have seen. Fairways and greens are great. Food was also really tasty too."

Kemnay Golf Club

Location: Kemnay, Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.67

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "We discovered the course on a trip to Scotland and they were very welcoming and friendly. The course was in great condition, a fair challenge. Food in the clubhouse was excellent."

Murrayfield Golf Club

Location: City of Edinburgh

Golfshake Rating: 4.67

Green Fees: From £120

Review Comment: "This is a beautiful course with an interesting variety of holes to test all level of players. Very well presented. The views across the Edinburgh skyline are spectacular."

Alyth Golf Club

Location: Alyth, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.67

Green Fees: From £30

Review Comment: "Not played the course in a good number of years but was great to play again. Beautiful course in immaculate condition. Would definitely like to play again."

King James VI Golf Club

Location: City of Perth

Golfshake Rating: 4.65

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Lovely course. This is one of the flattest courses in Scotland, there's hardly a hill on it. But this is balanced out by possibly the most bunkers I've ever seen on a golf course. Very wide but not too deep."

Callander Golf Club

Location: Callander, Central Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.61

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Worth a visit if you're in the area as we were. Friendly team and course has some spectacular views but like many suffering from prolonged wet weather. Imagine it will be good after a dry spell!"

Edzell Golf Club

Location: Edzell, Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: From £80

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, hospitality second to none."

Routenburn Golf Club

Location: Largs, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Green Fees: From £20

Review Comment: "In lovely condition, and not too busy. The course offers a decent challenge with some quite challenging holes. Whilst walking round there are some fantastic views, overlooking Largs, the local area and the sea. The members and pro are all welcoming and friendly."

Piperdam

Location: Fowlis, Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: From £35

Review Comment: "Great layout. What a lovely place to play golf. Layout very good. Lots of different holes. Just loved it. A must play."

Strathmore Golf Centre

Location: Alyth, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: From £65

Review Comment: "Lots of various holes and a pleasure to play. We opted for a meal package and must say that the food was excellent. We paid a very decent price and had bacon rolls and coffee when we all met up and then had a lovely dinner. Definitely a package to consider."

Pumpherston Golf Club

Location: Pumpherston, West Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: From £40

Review Comment: "There are some quirky holes to play during your round with water coming into play on many of them and some great doglegs to negotiate. This is a nice flat course where fairways are undulating and the greens fast and true. A fun, if heavily bunkered, course that offers all level of golfer the chance to score well, this place is well worth visiting."

Crieff Golf Club

Location: Crieff, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: From £55

Review Comment: "Course in great condition, especially given the prolonged wet weather. Overall the layout has a lot of up and down holes with a few really interesting ones toward the latter part. Very friendly welcome and worth a visit."

Portlethen Golf Club

Location: Portlethen, Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £55

Review Comment: "The facilities were well maintained and made for an all-round great experience. Not only was the condition of the place good, but the clubhouse was also good."

Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club

Location: Dunkeld, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.52

Green Fees: From £42

Review Comment: "We played Dunkeld & Birnam two weeks ago and the first thing which strikes you is the view from the clubhouse window: it is really quite breathtaking! The course is split into two quite distinct halves: the old (original) heathland set up, which encompasses holes 1-8, 1 and 18 of the modern day course, it is full of character and you are playing across stunning views everywhere, lots of little rocky outcrops, broom, heather as well as occasional sightings of the local wildlife: it is Scotland in miniature as Walter Scott portrayed it!"

Loudoun Gowf Club

Location: Galston, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.50

Green Fees: From £55

Review Comment: "Played for the first time. Course is extremely well kept. Greens are perfect, will definitely challenge any level of handicap."

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club

Location: Prestonpans, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Green Fees: From £45

Review Comment: "Very nice course. Well kept, good variety of holes, you have to be able to place the ball as there's trouble both sides of the fairway."

The Carrick at Cameron House

Location: Balloch, West Dunbartonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Green Fees: From £65

Review Comment: "What a smashing layout and course was in immaculate condition considering how much rain had fallen. Some stunning holes with amazing views of Ben Lomond and surrounding hills. Was very, very damp on the initial fairways but loads of rainfall over the last few months and a lot of water hazards won't help the drainage. Would love to play again in the summer months."

Dunnikier Park Golf Club

Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Green Fees: From £18

Review Comment: "Dunnikier Golf Club is tucked away in a little estate not far from Kirkcaldy town centre. Fairly open off the tees, lots of tree lined fairways, and a well laid out set of greens. Definitely worth a visit if in the area. Clubhouse food was excellent."

Rothesay Golf Club

Location: Rothesay, Isle of Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Excellent course in fantastic condition. Staff and all connected to club were brilliant. Last played here three years ago, will not wait so long to return to one of my favourite courses. Many thanks for a memorable weekend."

East Renfrewshire Golf Club

Location: Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Green Fees: From £75

Review Comment: "East Renfrewshire has always been a great place to play, but the improvements they have made over the last few years have really enhanced the course. No two consecutive holes are the same, and only two holes go in the same direction one after the other, which provides a real varied challenge. The greens are as good as anything I've played recently, and the views from some of the tees are outstanding. It doesn't feel cramped like some courses, and the clubhouse patio is a great place to watch people playing down the 18th. Highly recommended."

Auchterarder Golf Club

Location: Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "Great course with closely mown fairways and fast greens. Not a long course, but strategy needed to score well."

Drumoig Golf Hotel

Location: Drumoig, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "This is an amazing course situated in Fife and not too far away from St Andrews and at a fraction of the price. Some amazing holes and a couple where you have a backdrop of the rockface straight at you. Some great holes and the 9th has to be one of the most daunting you can see when standing on the tee. A great 10th and 11th over water is a make or break three holes. Give it a try and you will not be disappointed."

West Lothian Golf Club

Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Green Fees: From £45

Review Comment: "Played the course for the first time, the greens were perfect due to the lack of rain. The fairways were a bit dry, the course will be challenging for all handicaps. Put on your must play list."

Aboyne Golf Club

Location: Aboyne, Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "A top quality course. Great facilities, clubhouse, staff and course. Possibly one of the best looked after courses I've ever been to. Greens and fairways immaculate. Well done to greenkeeping staff! Didn't play as well as I hoped but on our week's tour of Scotland this was voted the top course."

Aberdour Golf Club

Location: Aberdour, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.45

Green Fees: From £55

Review Comment: "Views to die for. Aberdour Golf Club is an incredible place. Opening with two picturesque par 3s, both of which are intimidating. The layout of the course is great, it’s short, but challenging. The clubhouse is a fantastic place to dine, and again, views from there are outstanding. A brilliant new outside seating area will be a great asset when the weather improves."

Peebles Golf Club

Location: Peebles, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Superb course. Loved it. Amazing condition, great views, and some amazing holes and greens. Would 100% return."

Ballochmyle Golf Club

Location: Mauchline, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Green Fees: From £28

Review Comment: "Fantastic course with some great challenges on the many doglegs. Fairways and greens in superb condition and rough not bad at all. A great course to play."

Pitreavie Golf Club

Location: Dunfermline, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Green Fees: From £38

Review Comment: "A little gem just off the road. Great weather suited this lovely course. Friendly staff complemented the neat fairways. Greens were quick and well presented."

Caldwell Golf Club

Location: Uplawmoor, East Renfrewshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "A great course with a good variety of holes for all handicap golfers. In great condition and the pro and bar staff are very welcoming."

Portpatrick Golf Club

Location: Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Green Fees: From £40

Review Comment: "Absolutely outstanding visit to Portpatrick over two days. The golf on both days was amazing. The staff in the clubhouse could not do enough for us even though they had a very large group of visitors over the two days. Dined in the clubhouse both nights and the food was fantastic. Will definitely be back again next year."

Musselburgh Golf Club

Location: Musselburgh, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Green Fees: From £110

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."

The Roxburghe Golf Club

Location: Kelso, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Green Fees: From £90

Review Comment: "The layout was great and it required me to use all the clubs in my bag. The views were spectacular and the course was well maintained and in excellent condition. The price was very reasonable for the quality of the course."

The Moffat Golf Club

Location: Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Green Fees: From £32

Review Comment: "It took me over 20 years of playing golf to find this course, don't make the same mistake, this is a must play course. Not overly long, but beautifully laid out and views over the surrounding hills. The staff and members are fantastic, the course is great fun, and after you've survived the 9th you can play anything! I really can't stress enough how much I enjoyed my round here, and I will come back to play the course again. If you're in the area you have got to play here."

Haddington Golf Club

Location: Haddington, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.35

Green Fees: From £65

Review Comment: "Played here once a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. Moved back to the area and this course was always going to get my membership. Can get very wet and boggy with heavy rain. Rough is very forgiving. Really good holes throughout. Clubhouse and restaurant is superb and is worth the visit alone."

Hilton Park Golf Club

Location: Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.35

Green Fees: From £40

Review Comment: "The course is very undulating and many holes are tree-lined. Greens were in excellent condition and the course was presented extremely well. Nice clubhouse and pro shop."

Ladybank Golf Club

Location: Ladybank, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Green Fees: From £80

Review Comment: "It's easy to see why this was a long-standing Open qualifying course. A classic heathland which was bone-dry and rockhard when we played it. I'm not sure I have ever played on firmer greens which made it nearly impossible to get up and down if you missed the many raised greens anywhere other than below the hole. The layout is fantastic and condition was great. Greens were super quick and treacherous, almost too much so but we did play it the afternoon after the Women's Scottish Matchplay had been staged in the morning. It is hard to lose a golf ball with the tree-lined fairways but even without that, it is one of the most difficult golf courses I have ever played. I am despreate to go back and give it another go."

Downfield Golf Club

Location: City of Dundee

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "This is an amazing private course. Some of the holes are quite simply outstanding. Some very difficult approaches to greens where you must lay up unless you are either A, very confident in your approach or B, can hit the ball very sweetly to gain the required distance. Several blind holes where you have to play a placement style shot for your second. Go play it and rest assured you will not be sorry you did."

Rowallan Castle Golf Club

Location: Kilmaurs, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "A great course to play and well worth the green fees. Course in overall great condition with the greens running true and fast even at this time of year and over the extended high rain fall."

Mortonhall Golf Club

Location: City of Edinburgh

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Green Fees: From £110

Review Comment: "Fantastic round on a course you would struggle to believe is in the heart of such a wonderful city!"

Forfar Golf Club

Location: Forfar, Angus

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Green Fees: From £59

Review Comment: "Relatively short with just one par five, Forfar is a course well worth playing if in the area. Some holes are in close proximity so stay alert in case of wayward shots from elsewhere. The fairways are very rutted in places, which can often punish what might at first appear to be a perfect dive."

Pitlochry Golf Club

Location: Pitlochry, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Green Fees: From £59

Review Comment: "Great round in the heart of Scotland. Warm welcome to a good course. Great views over Pitlochry as you go around the course. Well worth the visit."

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