Top 100 Scotland

I get a feeling Super did not vote in this survey ...

https://www.ukgolfguy.com/golf-blog/scotland-top-100-golf-courses

I've only played a few (my trip of last year cancelled due to Covid, but hoping to reschedule). Dornoch was the highest rated I played, but I really enjoyed Golspie, Brora and Nairn.

Shotrock wrote:I get a feeling Super did not vote in this survey ...

https://www.ukgolfguy.com/golf-blog/scotland-top-100-golf-courses

I've only played a few (my trip of last year cancelled due to Covid, but hoping to reschedule). Dornoch was the highest rated I played, but I really enjoyed Golspie, Brora and Nairn.

I've had two trips up to Scotland - years ago - managed to play 5 of those listed. (Carnoustie, Blairgowrie, Ladybank, Pitlochry & Downfield). Without Covid19 I don't think I'd get anywhere near them now.

I've done 3. Dundonald, Troon and Turnberry Robert course. All great.

My first visit, over 10 years back played https://www.eastrengolfclub.co.uk/ which I remember was stunning views. Not sure if anyone knows it?

I’ve played six to my amazement, but I suppose living in Fife does give me an advantage. Good to see Shiskine, the quirky 12-hole course on the Isle of Arran up there at 33rd. A lovely course with great views but I’ve never lost so many golf balls!

Interesting. Played more than I would have thought, but most from quite a while back. I'll act as a S_R substitute - the rating of St. Andrews (Old) as #1 is nonsense and purely down to the history.

My favourite probably Gleneagles (Queens), but that memory a bit dim now.

Living in Scotland I have played quite a few of them.

I have no issues with TOC at #1 but there are a few odd ones in there;

Royal Aberdeen quite low.
Trump Aberdeen way too high
Ardfin (Have enough people played it to actually rank it?)
Renaissance pretty low
Castle above some of the finest links courses (Murcur, Panmure, Dunbar, Gailes, Kilspindie, Montrose) is pretty galling.


I like the inclusion of Gullane 3, I am not saying it should be higher than 88, but I think a lot of top 100's would miss it out. A lot of fun to be had on that course and if you are in Gullane you might as well give it a shot. It obviously won't add a notch for the bag tag Barrys.


Dumbarnie has really made an impact. I have a booking for this spring so pretty keen to see what all the fuss is about.

Mean't to be flying up on 9th May and booked to play Turnberry (Ailsa & King Robert), Royal Troon (Champ) and Prestwick for a mate's birthday celebration. Hoping we will be able to go ahead by then.

I've had 3 golfing trips to Scotland previously and played 4 of the top 7. If you are fortunate and get decent weather, is there really anywhere better to play?

BlueCoverman wrote:I've had 3 golfing trips to Scotland previously and played 4 of the top 7. If you are fortunate and get decent weather, is there really anywhere better to play?

Probably not. But in general I think there are several areas in the UK that will not be beaten anywhere in the world in terms of number of quality courses, access and price.


I think one mistake visitors to Scotland make is trying to play just the marquee courses all across the country instead of focussing on one of the areas. As a local my advice would be to immerse yourself in one area and player further down the roster instead of flitting around the country just collecting the high value bag tags.

I think one reason to stick around one area and play the slightly less highly rated courses is that you have more chance of experiencing an authentic club atmosphere. All the open courses and places like Turnberry, Castle Stuart etc feel pretty corporate and don't reflect what it is really like to play golf in Scotland.

McLaren wrote:Living in Scotland I have played quite a few of them.

I have no issues with TOC at #1 but there are a few odd ones in there;

Royal Aberdeen quite low.
Trump Aberdeen way too high
Ardfin (Have enough people played it to actually rank it?)
Renaissance pretty low
Castle above some of the finest links courses (Murcur, Panmure, Dunbar, Gailes, Kilspindie, Montrose) is pretty galling.


I like the inclusion of Gullane 3, I am not saying it should be higher than 88, but I think a lot of top 100's would miss it out. A lot of fun to be had on that course and if you are in Gullane you might as well give it a shot. It obviously won't add a notch for the bag tag Barrys.


Dumbarnie has really made an impact. I have a booking for this spring so pretty keen to see what all the fuss is about.

Really loved Gullane 3; lot of fun, leave the driver at home! TBF, anything at Gullane is pretty good.

McLaren wrote:

BlueCoverman wrote:I've had 3 golfing trips to Scotland previously and played 4 of the top 7. If you are fortunate and get decent weather, is there really anywhere better to play?

Probably not. But in general I think there are several areas in the UK that will not be beaten anywhere in the world in terms of number of quality courses, access and price.


I think one mistake visitors to Scotland make is trying to play just the marquee courses all across the country instead of focussing on one of the areas.  As a local my advice would be to immerse yourself in one area and player further down the roster instead of flitting around the country just collecting the high value bag tags.

Holy Sh!t! I find myself agreeing w/ Mac .

There are so many excellent courses in Scotland, one could easily argue that playing the marquee courses is only worth it so that you can say that you have.

Also fully agree with Mac. My golfing in UK/IRE is almost always done with a mix of Brits, Europeans and Yanks and we abide by this advice. Makes staying in just one or two hotels or rentals a lot nicer, too. On my one trip to Scotland (thus far!) we played Dornoch and then a number of other close by courses. We've played in Ireland 2x and England 3x.

I am always amused by a golfer with 5 - 10 "Brag Tags" on their bag.

The US has (IMO and by comparison) some exceptional and varied courses along with a boat load of average and uninteresting courses. Sure, if you are with the right people it's hard to have a bad time on any course, but with a little bit of research you can find some great places to play in the states as well.

The last couple of times we've been, we've stayed at the same Hotel in Troon. Mainly because it's my mate who gets us on it for nothing. It's to good an opportunity to miss out. Seems enough decent courses in the vicinity to add as an extra. We only do it as a one nighter. But Dundonald and Turnberry came in as good second courses.

Not sure how I missed this thread when it was current a few months back, played 19 of that list, mostly from the first column. Thought I might have seen Troon Darley on there and Belleisle.

Whilst I'd like to complete column 1 I think there would be more value for money gems to be found away from column 1.

Played a few of the 'lesser' courses on that list - but some absolute gems in Kilspindie and Monifeith, amongst some others. Heading back up this summer, fingers crossed, to knock off Gullane 1 and 2 and a few others around there.

Any time you see these compiled lists, I wonder what the criteria used really are. Shiskine - lovely though it is, above Lundin and Gullane #2? And The Glen (again a lovely course), above Bruntsfield, Burgess and Barassie?

And the PGA Course at Gleneagles in at 56? There must be 500 courses in Scotland that are more fun, better value and more interesting than that waste of good land.