Best Golf Courses in Scotland

There are 550 golf courses in Scotland. Many of the most famous golf courses in Scotland are found on the East and West coast. These seaside courses are known as links golf courses and have been the capstone in the creation of golf as a sport that millions enjoy each year.

While it is the links golf courses in Scotland that draw the eye, there is a huge variety of layouts and challenges on offer. Classic parkland golf can be enjoyed at the famed Gleneagles Resort in Perthshire or the picturesque and private estates of Loch Lomond and Skibo Castle both feature within the Top 20 golf courses to play in Scotland. Heathland golf is enjoyed at many courses in Scotland but fine examples are enjoyed at The Duke's Course which is just 15 minutes from St Andrews and Blairgowrie Golf Club with it's fast-running sandy soil framed perfectly by heather and grand pine trees.

Scotland isn't just a place to visit for those who are championship golfers, there are lots of opportunities to learn the game as well with many excellent golf academies and tuition available at the vast majority of golf courses in Scotland.

Scotland does welcome golfers throughout the year, however the golf courses tend to be in their best condition between May - September. May provides the best month for golf with the highest average hours of sunshine, combined with the lowest amount of rain.

Many golf courses will remain open in the winter months, and provide excellent winter golf especially on the fast-draining links golf courses, however some courses such as The Old Course at St Andrews to insist that play is done so from a mat to protect the fairways.

The most popular months for golf are certainly July and August, courtesy of the fine weather experienced at that time of year. September can also be a good month for golf but does start to see an increase in average rainfall. Areas such as St Andrews which welcome golfers from across the globe each year are most popular in the summer months with golfers booking well over a year in advance to secure their tee-time on The Old Course.

Green fee and golf breaks in Scotland vary greatly. Green fees will start from as low as £10 for municipal golf to The Ailsa Golf Course at Trump Turnberry which is £395 in the high season. Golf breaks in Scotland start from £89 including 1 night and 2 rounds of golf.

The Old Course at St Andrews is officially recognised as the oldest golf course in Scotland, as well as the world. However, Musselburgh Links, just outside of Edinburgh, has been given that honour previously by the Guinness World Records with golf being officially played on the original 7 hole layout here since 1672 with another 2 holes added by 1870 in preparation for hosting it's first Open Championship in 1874, won by Mungo Park.