Scotland is rightly known throughout the world as the country with the richest history and tradition for the game of golf. In fact, we know golf has been played in Scotland from the early 15th Century, as an Act of the Scottish Parliament in 1457 actually banned the playing of the game as the citizens were spending too much time on their favourite pastime! Despite this the game flourished and the number and quality of the golf courses in Scotland are testimony to the tradition continuing to this day.
Scotland boasts six courses to have hosted the Open Championship with the first being played over the links of Prestwick in 1860 and since then St Andrews, Musselburgh Old, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie and Turnberry have hosted the Championship on many occasions.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Scotland
The course that has hosted the most Open Championships is of course the Old Course at St Andrews, truly the Home of Golf in the country that brought us the game. Tiger Woods said "To win at St Andrews is the ultimate", and a pilgrimage to St Andrews is a must for anybody who loves the game.
Scotland is not just about the famous Open Championship links however, with the country boasting hundreds of fine courses of all types. Play the classic heathland courses at Blairgowrie or Gleneagles, which hosts the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary Course, or try and get a game one of the many great parkland or links courses that are all around Scotland.
Did you know? You can play half price golf with 2-FORE!-1 green fee discount vouchers at over 900 courses.
Find out more » If you are staying in the historic capital of Edinburgh you will be close to the famous links of East Lothian, with Gullane No. 1 that sits next door to Muirfield a highlight. Over the west the Ayrshire links golf courses include many hidden gems amongst the championship courses, whilst a trip to the highlands for all golfers should definitely include a trip to the famous links of Royal Dornoch and Nairn.
Although when talking about Scottish golf courses, those mentioned above sometimes grab the headlines, the greatest impression left of golf in Scotland is the wide variety of different styles available for golfers to play, the warmth of the welcome and the locals love for their national game!