Who better to guide us through the perfect day of Scottish golf than Sam Torrance, victorious Ryder Cup captain and Scotland's Ambassador for Golf.
Scotland's finest - The Postage Stamp, Royal Troon
Sam has picked 19 holes that would feature in his fantasy round of golf in Scotland. The holes show the incredible variety of golf on offer in Scotland. From the days of Old Tom Morris to excellent modern creations, from world famous Open venues to small, island courses and from the west coast to the east, Sam's perfect golfing day showcases the very best of Scotland.
For Sam's opening hole he braves both the long journey and the epic tee shot over the crashing waves to plump for the first at Machrihanish Championship course. From there he hops to the east coast and the short second at Kingsbarns saying of the par three: ";This is a testing shot for even the best players. And check out the view."
The Royal path
Our first "Royal" course is up next with Sam full of respect for the third at Dornoch: "Take a par here and run." A trip to the island's for the fourth hole at Isle of Barra, the most westerly course in the United Kingdom.
Crail's Balcomie links provides the dauntingly named fifth hole. Sam considers "Hell's Hole" to offer one of Scotland's toughest drives. Another daunting tee shot comes at Carnoustie's 6th hole or "Hogan's Alley" where the great Ben showed his class to the delight of the Scottish galleries.
From there it's on to Cruden Bay for the 7th hole before a jump across to the west coast brings the famous "Postage Stamp" hole at Royal Troon. The shortest hole in Open Championship golf, it remains a test but can you emulate Gene Sarazen's 1973 ace?
Another coast to coast leap takes Sam to the 9th hole at Lundin Golf Club, designed by James Bses raid and, in Sam's view, offering "the perfect balance of risk and reward." Dufftown Golf Club provides the 10th where a tee shot from 1213 feet above sea level and a stunning drop towards the green will take the breath away.
Scotland's finest - Downfield Golf Club
The 11th at Downfield Golf Club offers Sam a birdie chance on a shortish par 5 before a trip to the south west offers up the 12th at Portpatrick Dunskey.
A long journey up to Sutherland finds the 13th at Brora, complete with electric fences protecting the greens from the wandering livestock. From the north, Sam travels to the south and the Scottish Borders to play the 14th at Roxburghe.
Home of Golf
The Home of Golf features for the first time at 15 where the Fairmont St Andrews Torrance course offers up "Denis's Dream" and a well protected green that makes a par three a welcome score. Prestwick, the original Open venue, offers the 16th where a bunker called "Willie Campbell's Grave" put an end to Campbell's championship hopes in 1884 and still haunts golfers today.
For Sam's Perfect Day there was only one choice of 17th hole. The Road Hole at St Andrews is famous the world over and remains a stern challenge. "Rejoice if you pull it off," says Sam, "because not many do."
After the trial of the Road Hole, Sam opts for a gentler conclusion with the 18th at Gullane Number 1 where he hopes a birdie will seal his perfect day before he can retire to the 19th.
And the honour of providing the 19th goes to the Roxburghe where comfort, luxury and relaxation are always on the menu.