The Scottish Open is being played at the Renaissance Club this week, a stunning track designed by the renowned course architect Tom Doak. He is known for sculpting breathtaking courses globally, including Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand but this is his first creation in Scotland. It’s a members-only club unless you are accepted onto one of their experience days. And so, it got us thinking about Scotland as a whole & the other Scottish Open venues that you can play.
James Braid Golf Courses
Belleisle
Belleisle in Ayr has two 18 hole courses on site, but the James Braid designed Championship course is where you want to be. This parkland course which hosted the Scottish Open in 1936, is known as being the best inland public course in the country. It is a real test of your golf tekkers. Greenside bunkers and long par 4s await…
| Winner | Year |
| Jimmy Adams | 1936 |
Click here to play Belleisle >>
Gleneagles
For many golfers, Gleneagles is a familiar name thanks to having recently hosted both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup as well as the 1989 Scottish Open. This epic destination is only 1 hour from Edinburgh. It has three Championship courses on-site designed by James Braid and Jack Nicklaus.
| Winner | Year | Winner | Year |
| Jack Busson | 1935 | Craig Parry | 1991 |
| Ian Woosnam | 1987, 1990 | Peter O’Malley | 1992 |
| Barry Lane | 1988 | Jesper Parnevik | 1993 |
| Michael Allen | 1989 | Carl Mason | 1994 |
Click here to play Gleneagles >>
Downfield Golf Club
Another design by James Braid, Downfield Golf Club is a parkland course in Dundee and hosted the inaugural 1972 Scottish Open. Since then it has gone onto host many other tournaments including The Open Qualifying. From the back tees it plays over 6800 yards into tree lined fairways and plenty of lakes.
| Winner | Year |
| Neil Coles | 1972 |
Click here to play Downfield >>
Links Golf Courses
Carnoustie
Let’s be honest, this is probably already on your bucketlist, having been an 8 time host of The Open. If you love a links golf course and following in the footsteps of legendary golfers such as Ben Hogan, Padraig Harrington (2021 Ryder Cup Captain) and Francesco Molinari, this golf course will tick a lot of boxes. It hosted the Scottish Open in 1996 when Woosnam claimed the glory.
| Winner | Year |
| Wayne Riley | 1995 |
| Ian Woosnam | 1996 |
Click here to play Carnoustie >>
Castle Stuart
Another links golf course for your list is Castle Stuart in the Highlands. A new world links which has been the host venue for the Scottish Open four times since it opened in 2009. This course has views galore of the Moray Firth – a rugged, beautiful coastline. Castle Stuart is a fun round for all levels of golfer with wide fairways but plenty of bunkers.
| Winner | Year |
| Luke Donald | 2011 |
| Jeev Milha Singh | 2012 |
| Phil Mickelson | 2013 |
Click here to play Castle Stuart >>
Royal Aberdeen
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen is one of the oldest ever golf clubs and has a rich history to soak up along with the views when you visit. Justin Rose won the Scottish Open here in 2014, where the tournament was held on the Balgownie Links. It plays over 6900 yards from the back tees and has the ‘best front 9 in Scotland’.
| Winner | Year |
| Justin Rose | 2014 |
Click here to play Royal Aberdeen >>
Gullane Golf Club
Gullane Golf Club has records of the sport being played on this site dating back to the 1600’s. More recently The Scottish Open was played in both 2015 and 2018 as well as the Ladies Scottish Open in 2018 too. Found in East Lothian, Gullane is a cracking links club with three courses on-site.
| Winner | Year |
| Rickie Fowler | 2015 |
| Brandon Stone | 2017 |
Click here to play Gullane Golf Club >>
Dundonald Links
Dundonald links was designed by Kyle Phillips, also known for his incredible work at Kingsbarns Golf Links. Deep bunkers, raised greens and a seaside character await which from the back tees can play 7100 yards. If you’re playing as a mixed ability group, choose which tees you’ll play from wisely – this course can get tricky on the way around…
| Winner | Year |
| Rafa Cabrera-Bello | 2017 |
The European Tour this week
Keep an eye out for our Ambassador Guido Migliozzi and Chief Holiday Officer Lee Westwood who are teeing it up at The Renaissance Club this week.
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More Scottish Golf Inspiration
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