The Best Golf Courses to Play on The Perfect Scotland Golf Trip

Scotland. A country of mountains, lochs, thistles, heather and stunning scenery. Whisky, men in kilts, bagpipes and incredible hospitality. And, of course, the home of golf.

If you are considering a "proper" golf vacation and you want to follow in the shadow of giants then Bonnie Scotland should be right at the very top of your list.

In case you need convincing, here are a few reasons.

We start with the fabulous links courses that host The Open Championship, all of which are accessible to anybody who swings a golf club:

Muirfield

Dating back to 1744, Muirfield Golf Club, also known as ‘The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’, holds the title of the world's oldest club based on direct written evidence. In 1891, the club relocated to Gullane in East Lothian, approximately 40 minutes east of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

Muirfield was designed originally by Old Tom Morris, the course underwent changes by Harry Colt and Tom Simpson 37 years later and since hosting its first Open Championship in 1892 has remained a regular venue for the event, with only the Old Course at St Andrews and Prestwick hosting more Opens.

In 2019, the club underwent renovations, including the addition of a ladies' locker room and a small retail shop. Visitors are also welcomed to use the first-class practise area and putting green.

Despite its reputation for being an old and stuffy club, visiting golfers can expect a warm welcome here. However, due to limited tee times, advanced planning is necessary to experience a day of golf at Muirfield.

Green Fee Pricing: £365 ($466)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,815

Golf Digest World Ranking: 6th

Carnoustie

Carnoustie is renowned as one of the most formidable challenges in championship golf and has earned the moniker "Carnasty". Its reputation was solidified in the 1999 Open, where Scotland's Paul Lawrie emerged as the victor in a playoff after Frenchman Jean Van de Velde's costly collapse on the final hole. Unlike other links courses on the Open rota, Carnoustie lacks sea views but is widely regarded as the toughest venue of the championship.

Golfers must come prepared to bring their A-game to this 6,948-yard course from the championship tees. The finishing holes, particularly the 245-yard par-three 16th and two long par-fours that require players to cross the Barry Burn, are particularly ruthless.

As a course that is conveniently located near St Andrews, Carnoustie is a popular choice among golfers. The availability of tee times is also more favorable compared to other Open Championship venues. For those in need of assistance, caddies are readily available.

Green Fee Pricing: £321 ($410)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $2,109

Golf Digest World Ranking: 16th

Royal Troon

Founded in 1878, Royal Troon Golf Club boasts a rich past and continues to be held in high esteem as one of the premier venues in the UK. It is home to two exceptional courses, the Old Course and Portland Course, both renowned for their challenging layouts. Arguably the crown jewel of the club, the Old Course has established itself as one of Scotland's top golf destinations. The famed Postage Stamp 8th hole is testament to the course's toughness despite its seemingly short 100-yard distance.

The rugged terrain surrounding Royal Troon adds to the thrill of playing on either course, with rolling fairways that are interspersed with gorse and broom creating a scenic yet formidable test of skill. As the host of the 2024 Open Championship, Royal Troon's Old Course challenged and thrilled the world's best golfers with its deep rough, undulating fairways, and deceptively difficult greens.

Green Fee Pricing: £365 ($466)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,769

Golf Digest World Ranking: 28th

St Andrews - The Old Course

The Old Course, known as the world's most famous golf course, offers visitors the chance to follow in the footsteps of golf's legends. Take your time and soak in the atmosphere on the opening hole, featuring one of the widest fairways in the game. Test your skills on the renowned 17th hole, the Road Hole, where players must navigate their shot over the Old Course Hotel. And regardless of your performance on the course, make sure to take a moment on the final tee to appreciate the surroundings before stopping on the iconic Swilcan Bridge for a photo opportunity.

Dating back to at least 1553, the Old Course remains the centerpiece of St Andrews' golfing history. Its shared greens are also a notable feature. As the host of more Open Championships than any other venue, the Old Course has a longstanding connection with the prestigious event, hosting it for the first time in 1873 and continuing roughly every five years since 1895. While many courses are designed by architects, the Old Course's layout was largely shaped by nature, resulting in unique characteristics such as its wide opening and closing fairways, double-greens, challenging slopes, fast fairways, and deep bunkers.

Green Fee Pricing: £340 ($434)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $2,139

Golf Digest World Ranking: 3rd

Trump Turnberry - Ailsa Course

Trump Turnberry Ailsa, situated on Scotland's southwest coast overlooking Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde, offers a breathtaking setting for golf. With picturesque views of the Mull of Kintyre and Isle of Arran, it's hard to find a more ideal location to play. Established in 1902, Turnberry Golf Club and its grand hotel were both used as an airbase during the two world wars, resulting in flattened holes and runways. However, extensive efforts to restore the course to its former glory were successful, and the links reopened in 1951.

The Ailsa course gained recognition in 1977 when it hosted its first Open Championship. The showdown between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, known as the 'Duel in the Sun', was a classic display of skill, with Watson emerging victorious by a single stroke. In 2015, the Ailsa underwent a major transformation, with all holes being upgraded and the iconic Lighthouse serving as the new halfway house after the the par-three ninth, which boasts not only a challenging green near the lighthouse but also stunning views of Turnberry Point across the bay.

This recent renovation, the work of architect Martin Ebert, has garnered widespread acclaim, making the Ailsa arguably the best course in Scotland.

Green Fee Pricing: £550 ($702)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $2,779

Golf Digest World Ranking: 8th

Prestwick

With a history spanning over 160 years, Prestwick Golf Club has roots in the early days of golf. Established in 1851 by 57 individuals from the Red Lion Inn, the club purchased two cottages across from the tavern. It holds the distinction of being the first host of the Open Championship, with a stone at the western edge of the clubhouse commemorating the spot where the inaugural tee shot was taken in 1860.

The course, which spans 6,668 yards and features a par of 71, is steeped in tradition and offers an enjoyable yet challenging round of golf on a classic links layout. Located on the famous Ayrshire coast, the club boasts a prime location with unmatched terrain. While it no longer hosts the Open Championship, Prestwick Golf Club remains an esteemed destination for golfers, consistently ranked among the top courses in Scotland and a must-visit for golf enthusiasts from around the world.

Green Fee Pricing: £310 ($396)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,435

Golf Digest World Ranking: 61st

Cabot Highlands - Castle Stuart Golf Links

Castle Stuart, which opened in 2009, quickly gained recognition as one of Scotland's premier public courses, ranking in the Golf Digest World Top 100. In just two years after its opening, Castle Stuart made history by hosting its first professional tournament, the 2011 Scottish Open for the European Tour. 

Designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse, Castle Stuart sits on the shores of the Moray Firth in the Scottish Highlands. The 18-hole, par-72 links course offers a variety of challenges, such as elevated tees, risk/reward situations on short par-fours, and both long and short par threes. It provides a welcome change from some of the more difficult links courses, with its gorse-lined fairways and waterside views, although the wider fairways do make for potentially better scores.

The standout 10th hole at Castle Stuart is a spectacular par-four, with an elevated tee overlooking the sea. This hole perfectly combines both strategic elements and natural beauty.

Its stunning art-deco clubhouse, panoramic views, and superb practice facilities were designed with international visitors in mind. The clubhouse boasts a well-stocked shop, a restaurant and bar serving excellent food, and elegant locker rooms with breathtaking views of the Moray Firth and the Black Isle. Located just 20 minutes east of Inverness and 15 minutes west of Nairn, it is the perfect location for those staying in those areas.

Green Fee Pricing: £330 ($421)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,139

Golf Digest World Ranking: 51st

Cruden Bay

Although there is evidence that golf has been played at Cruden Bay since 1791, it was not until 1899 that the current championship course was officially opened. Designed by Old Tom Morris and Archie Simpson, with later contributions from Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler in 1926, Cruden Bay offers a traditional links golf experience. Sitting on the east coast of Scotland, 25 miles north of Aberdeen, this course consistently ranks among the top 25 in the UK.

Measuring just over 6,600 yards from the back tees, Cruden Bay may not be the longest course in today's standards, but its clever use of the natural landscape makes for an enjoyable and challenging round. With a layout in the shape of a figure of eight, players will find themselves navigating through hilly fairways and punchbowl-shaped greens, secluded from one another by towering sand dunes. The added bonus of stunning sea views along the rugged North Sea coastline only adds to the experience.

One of the standout holes is the par-3 4th, known as Port Erroll, paying tribute to the nearby fishing village. This 193-yard hole requires a straight shot from an elevated tee, over a deep grassy hollow, to a raised green carved out of a sandhill. With the beach as a backdrop, this hole offers a challenging and scenic test.

Green Fee Pricing: £185 ($236)

Golf Breaks: Contact Golfbreaks For More information

Golf Digest World Ranking: 21st

Machrihanish Dunes

The breathtaking Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course lies on the secluded Kintyre peninsula on the West Coast of Scotland. This course truly exemplifies the ruggedness and natural beauty of links golf, with its location being a three-hour drive from Glasgow. It is situated within a Site of Special Interest, and strict rules prohibit the use of fertilizers and the installation of drainage or irrigation systems. This creates a course that embodies the simplicity and purity of the game.

Playing at Machrihanish Dunes is like stepping back in time to the days when Old Tom Morris designed the original links courses of Scotland. The holes are arranged according to the natural terrain, the fairways are mown but not meticulously maintained, and the rough remains unaltered for the grazing of sheep. It may be hard to imagine, but this masterpiece designed by David McLay Kidd only opened in 2009. Stretching over 7,000 yards alongside the Atlantic Ocean, a round at Machrihanish Dunes is more than just a game of golf, it is a memorable experience.

One of the standout holes on the course is the fifth, a picturesque par-three measuring 165 yards from the back tees. With the ever-changing wind direction, players must be able to shape their shots. The challenge is heightened by the large pot bunker that guards the front left of the green. It should be noted that Machrihanish Dunes should not be confused with the equally magnificent Machrihanish Golf Club. Established in 1876 and designed by Old Tom Morris himself, this course is a must-play. Though it may be difficult to reach, the effort is well worth it to experience two incredible links courses.

Green Fee Pricing: £100 ($127)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,049

Golf Breaks: 38th (in Scotland)

Kingsbarns

I have to declare an interest here. Kingsbarns is my favourite golf course in the UK. It is an absolute masterpiece. It only opened in the year 2000 but you would be forgiven for thinking it has been around for much longer. Located just east of St Andrews on the Fife coast it is one of only a few recent golf course developments on coastal links land in the United Kingdom.

The amenities at Kingsbarns certainly do not disappoint, fitting for such a prestigious venue. Its excellent practise facilities, complete with a complimentary ball service, and breathtaking clubhouse overlooking the course, make it a world-class destination.

Designed by Kyle Phillips, the 7,204-yard, par-72 links course boasts stunning sea views from nearly every vantage point. It is a perfect companion to a visit to St Andrews, only seven miles up the coast. Kingsbarns holds its own on the global stage, rotating with Carnoustie and the Old Course at St Andrews in the highly respected Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

It consistently ranks among the best in the UK & Ireland, featured in the World Top 100 Golf Course lists since its inception in 2000. Of the many impressive holes at Kingsbarns, two truly stand out. The first is the challenging 12th, a long par-five with water lining the left side and culminating in a narrow, sloping green. The other is the signature par-three 15th, where players must carry their shot over water to a raised green, with crashing waves below. While there is room to the left, the intimidating view from the tee box is enough to make any golfer's heart race.

Green Fee Pricing: £418 ($534)

Golf breaks: 4 Night Packages From $2,139

Golf Digest World Ranking: 22nd

North Berwick - West Links

Established in 1832, North Berwick Golf Club is one of the world's oldest golf clubs. However, the development of its 18-hole West Links course took some time. It wasn't until 1932 that the course reached its full length of over 6,500 yards.

Highly regarded as one of the top 10 courses in Scotland and top 50 courses in the world, the West Links at North Berwick offers an unforgettable golfing experience just a short drive from Edinburgh. The West Links course follows the classic par-71 layout, beginning in the town and extending along the Firth of Forth coastline. From the raised land, players can enjoy stunning views of the coast and the nearby Fife Hills.

Unlike many other challenging links courses, North Berwick prides itself on faster play and maintains relatively short rough. Its main obstacles are strategically placed humps and hollows, creeks, deep bunkers, and stonewalls. One of the highlights of the course is the Bass Rock, a towering volcanic rock rising over 300 feet from the Firth of Forth. This area also happens to be home to about 10% of the world's Atlantic Gannet population.

However, what truly sets the West Links apart are the three holes from 13 to 15. The 13th hole, known as 'Pit,' requires a creative shot to reach the sunken green behind a wall. The 14th hole, named 'Perfection,' lives up to its name with its demanding two-shot play. Finally, the 15th hole, called 'Redan,' is a challenging par-three with a large, undulating green and a hidden gully on the right.

Green Fee Pricing: £285 ($364)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $1,695

Golf Digest World Ranking: 9th

Royal Dornoch

Royal Dornoch offers two links courses. The Championship Course, a top-ranked course for many years, has been a staple in Dornoch for centuries. Although a private club, visitors are welcomed seven days a week.

Situated in the Scottish Highlands and a 50-minute drive from Inverness, Royal Dornoch sits on the Dornoch Firth. The club features an understated clubhouse with a restaurant and a bar. The practise facilities include a putting/chipping area, while the driving range requires golfers to collect their own balls.

Founded in 1886 by Old Tom Morris, the Championship Course is the premier course in the North of Scotland and one of the world's best links courses. The Dornoch Firth and its picturesque white beaches accompany a strip of dunes that allow for parallel fairways, creating a natural, stunning course.

Undergoing numerous upgrades to enhance its status as the secondary course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the Struie Course now boasts a challenging layout that utilizes the natural features of the land, providing scenic views of the surrounding area. Day tickets are available encouraging visitors to play both courses.

Green Fee Pricing: £320 ($408)

Golf Breaks: 4 Night Packages From $795

Golf Digest World Ranking: 2nd

Trump International Golf Links Scotland

Located just 10 miles north of Aberdeen on the east coast, Trump International Golf Links is a relatively new 5-star golf course situated on an impressive area of Scotland.

With its claim of being "the world's greatest golf course," the course, designed by Martin Hawtree, is laid out in two out-and-back loops of nine holes, following the classic pattern. The course winds through dunes and peaks, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline. Additionally, each hole boasts six tee boxes, making it suitable for golfers of all levels.

This 7,400-yard par-72 course is challenging and best suited for lower handicaps, with its long rough, strong crosswinds, strategically placed bunkers, and fast greens. One of the standout holes is the 445-yard par-four 14th, played from an elevated tee. The fairway meanders through a valley of massive dunes, with the North Sea beach creating a natural boundary. The slightly raised green is guarded by a lone bunker on the right, making it a visually stunning hole. And if that isn't enough, there is another layout set to open at the venue in 2025.

Green Fee Pricing: £495 ($632)

Golf Breaks: Contact Golfbreaks For More Information

Golf Digest World Ranking: 34th