The Best 10 Golf Courses In Scotland

Scotland is renowned as the birthplace of golf and boasts a thriving golf ecosystem. With over 550 golf courses, including some of the world's most historic and well-known courses like St Andrews, Royal Troon, and Carnoustie, the country is a hub for golf enthusiasts.

Scottish Golf, the national governing body, works to promote and develop the sport, while regional golf associations such as the East Lothian Golf Coast and the Ayrshire Golf Coast champion their local courses.

Scotland's golf legacy is demonstrated by the long list of great golfers it has produced, including Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Colin Montgomerie, and Paul Lawrie, and its golf tournaments such as the Scottish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship attract professional players from around the world.

Amateur golf is also highly valued in Scotland, with several local and national tournaments held for amateur golfers, including the prestigious Scottish Amateur Championship.

Scotland is home to a thriving golf industry, encompassing equipment manufacturers, golf travel companies, and golf course management firms. These businesses contribute significantly to Scotland's economy and provide employment for many people.

St Andrews Links - St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

St. Andrews Links is a group of seven public golf courses located in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. The courses are owned and operated by the St. Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization that aims to preserve and maintain the courses for future generations to enjoy.

The most famous of the courses is the Old Course, which is widely regarded as the “home of golf” and has hosted the Open Championship 29 times, more than any other course. The other six courses include the New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course, Balgove Course, and Castle Course, each with their own unique characteristics and challenges.

St. Andrews Links also offers a variety of golfing services and facilities, including a golf academy, a club fitting center, a practice center, and multiple pro shops. Visitors from all over the world come to St. Andrews Links to play golf, take in the history and culture of the game, and experience the stunning Scottish landscape.

St. Andrews Links has won numerous awards and accolades, including being named “World's Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards in 2018. It remains one of the most iconic and beloved golf destinations in the world.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club - Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland

Royal Dornoch Golf Club is a world-renowned golf club located in Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland. It is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, dating back to 1616.

The club manages and operates two 18-hole golf courses: the Championship Course and the Struie Course. The Championship Course is considered one of the best links courses in the world and is consistently ranked in the top 20 courses worldwide. The Struie Course, while shorter, is also highly regarded and offers stunning views of the Scottish coastline.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club has hosted several notable tournaments, including the Scottish Amateur Championship, the Northern Open, and the Ladies' British Amateur Championship. The club also hosted the Scottish Open in 2021, which was won by Australian golfer Min Woo Lee.

The club has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2019, the Championship Course was ranked as the fifth-best course in the world by Golf Digest, and the club was named the best golf club in Scotland at the 2020 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Muirfield Golf Club - Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

Muirfield is a private golf club located in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland. The club was founded in 1744 and has since established a reputation as one of the most exclusive and prestigious golf clubs in the world.

Muirfield features an 18-hole championship course, which is widely regarded as one of the best links courses in the world. The course has hosted numerous high-profile events over the years, including 16 Open Championships, most recently in 2013. The club has also hosted the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup, and the Ryder Cup.

Muirfield is known for its traditional and exclusive atmosphere, and its commitment to preserving the history and heritage of the game of golf. The club has a strict membership policy but visitors are welcome to play the course on certain days of the week.

Over the years, Muirfield has been consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the world by publications such as Golf Digest and Golf World. In 2021, it was ranked as the fourth best course outside of the United States by Golf Digest.

The club has also been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, including supporting local charities and promoting junior golf programs.

Royal Troon Golf Club - Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland

Royal Troon Golf Club is a world-renowned golf club located in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was founded in 1878 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Scotland.

The club manages and operates two 18-hole golf courses: the Old Course and the Portland Course. The Old Course is the club's championship course and has hosted several notable tournaments, including The Open Championship, which it has hosted nine times. The most recent Open Championship held at Royal Troon was won by Henrik Stenson in 2016.

Royal Troon Golf Club is a members-only club, with membership by invitation only. The club has a limited number of international memberships available, which are highly sought after by golfers around the world.

The club has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2019, the Old Course was ranked as the 15th best course in the world by Golf Digest, and the club was named the best golf club in Scotland at the 2018 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Carnoustie Golf Links - Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland

Carnoustie Golf Links is a public golf complex located in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. The complex features three championship courses, the Championship Course, the Burnside Course, and the Buddon Links Course, as well as a range of practice facilities.

The Championship Course is one of the most challenging links courses in the world, and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the Open Championship on eight occasions, most recently in 2018. It is known for its deep bunkers, narrow fairways, and unpredictable weather conditions, which provide a true test of golfing skill.

Carnoustie Golf Links is committed to promoting the game of golf and offers a range of services and facilities for golfers of all ages and abilities. It also hosts a range of events and tournaments throughout the year, including the annual Carnoustie Golf Week.

The Championship Course was voted The Best Golf Course in the World in 2019 and Best Scottish Golf Course over £100 in 2018. Carnoustie Golf Links was also voted Scotland's Best Golf Experience, Best Clubhouse and Best Catering in 2019, as well as Environmental Golf Course of The Year in 2018.

Trump Turnberry - Ayrshire, Scotland

Trump Turnberry is a world-renowned golf resort located in Ayrshire, Scotland. The resort manages and operates two 18-hole golf courses: the Ailsa Course and the King Robert the Bruce Course.

The Ailsa Course at Turnberry is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world and has hosted several notable tournaments, including The Open Championship, which it has hosted four times. The most recent Open Championship held at Turnberry was won by Stewart Cink in 2009.

In addition to its golf courses, Trump Turnberry also features luxurious accommodations, dining options, and spa services. The resort is known for its stunning views of the Scottish coastline and its commitment to providing a world-class golfing experience.

The resort has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2019, the Ailsa Course was ranked as the 13th best course in the world by Golf Digest, and the resort was named the best golf resort in Scotland at the 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Kingsbarns Golf Links - Fife, Scotland

Kingsbarns Golf Links is a world-renowned golf club located in Fife, Scotland. The club manages and operates an 18-hole golf course designed by Kyle Phillips.

The Kingsbarns course is known for its stunning views of the North Sea and its challenging design. It has hosted several notable tournaments, including the Dunhill Links Championship, which it has hosted since 2001.

Kingsbarns Golf Links is also known for its commitment to sustainability and the environment. The club has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and protect the natural environment surrounding the course.

The club has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2019, the Kingsbarns course was ranked as the 22nd best course in the world by Golf Digest, and the club was named the best golf course in Scotland at the 2017 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Cabot Highlands - Inverness, Scotland

Cabot Highlands is a prestigious golf club located in Inverness, Scotland. The club manages and operates an 18-hole championship links-style golf course designed by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen.

The Castle Stuart course is known for its stunning views of the Moray Firth and its challenging design, featuring fast fairways, deep bunkers, and large undulating greens. The course has hosted several notable tournaments, including the Scottish Open, which it has hosted four times.

The club has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2020, the Castle Stuart course was ranked as the 9th best course in Scotland by Golf Digest, and it has consistently been ranked among the top courses in the country.

Trump International Scotland - Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Trump International Scotland is a luxury golf club located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The club manages and operates an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Dr. Martin Hawtree.

The Trump International course is known for its stunning views of the North Sea and its challenging design, featuring deep bunkers, undulating fairways, and large greens. The course has hosted several notable tournaments, including the Scottish Open, which it hosted in 2011.

The club has received numerous awards and recognition for its world-class facilities and courses. In 2020, the Trump International course was ranked as the 15th best course in Scotland by Golf Digest, and it has consistently been ranked among the top courses in the country.

Prestwick Golf Club - Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland

Prestwick Golf Club is a historic golf club located in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The club was founded in 1851 and is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the world.

Prestwick Golf Club manages and operates a championship golf course, designed by Old Tom Morris, which features 18 holes and a traditional links-style layout. The course is known for its challenging design, featuring blind shots, deep bunkers, and narrow fairways.

The course has hosted several notable tournaments, including the first 12 British Open Championships, which were held at Prestwick between 1860 and 1872. In addition to hosting major tournaments, Prestwick Golf Club has also hosted several notable players, including Tom Morris, Jr., James Braid, and Bobby Jones.

Prestwick Golf Club has received numerous awards and recognition for its historic and world-renowned golf course. In 2020, the course was ranked as the 19th best course in Scotland by Golf Digest, and it has consistently been ranked among the top courses in the country.