Find parkland perfection in an idyllic setting at Meldrum House Golf Club, a beautiful golf experience near the northeast coast of Scotland. It includes all the appealing features you would seek -- glorious views, a wealth of wildlife, and that's not to mention the golf and an outstanding academy. Prepare for lots of water and sand, devilish greens and a memorable round, Clive Agran writes.
... full article »
With wonderful views of the glorious Cairngorm mountains, Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club naturally splits into three equal sections. The first six holes are open parkland in character and provide a gentle introduction. The course tightens considerably over the second six which pass through fairly hilly woodland. Coming off the 12th green, you emerge onto undulating parkland for a particularly pleasing closing stretch which, though comparatively benign, still contains considerable danger.
... full article »
Despite the grief you'll encounter from the bumps and hollows and whins and revetted bunkers, the Old Course at Moray Golf Club, designed by Old Tom Morris, is absolutely stunning. You can't help but fall under the magical spell of what is indisputably one of the world's finest links courses. What's more: Because of noise from the RAF screaming into the adjacent Lossiemouth air base, green fees at Moray are possibly the best bargain in the whole of Scotland, Clive Agran writes.
... full article »
The Medal Course at Monifieth Golf Links may lack majestic dunes, and the presence of trees will upset the purists. But there is no doubting that the course provides a thorough golf examination, especially when the wind is whistling off the North Sea, Clive Agran writes. With loads of history and memorable holes, it's not only testing but also great fun.
... full article »
Some passionately believe that the Old Course at Letham Grange Golf Club will one day join this pantheon of golf's great courses and have already dubbed it the "Augusta of the North." It even has its own Amen Corner. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in this most beautiful part of a most beautiful country, make sure you play the course - and do stay at least one night in the hotel, Clive Agran advises.
... full article »
Is it sacrilegious to call a links course in the birthplace of golf the Bandon Dunes of Scotland? In many ways, that's exactly what Machrihanish Dunes is. Both are on hard-to-get-to sections of coastline that attract golfers to play neoclassic links golf. The big difference is that in pre-Kidd Bandon, Oregon there was nothing, but the pre-Kidd Kintyre Peninsula was already home to fabled Machrihanish Golf Club. That is where the story gets interesting.
... full article »
Famed golf writer Bernard Darwin once described the view from Gullane No. 1's seventh tee as among the best in golf. It's high enough to see the Bass Rock to the east, Muirfield next door and the city of Edinburgh. That view, of course, varies depending on the weather, but at least one thing is constant about Gullane No. 1: it's East Lothian's top championship test not called "Muirfield."
... full article »
Yes, it's home to Muirfield. But East Lothian locals adore a more understated, classic links in Aberlady: charming Kilspindie Golf Club. The club stakes its claim as the world's 35th oldest, having been founded in 1867. The opening stretch of holes at Kilspindie is as good as it gets in East Lothian.
... full article »
After buying the Duke's Course in 2005, Herb Kohler ordered an extensive overhaul. The renovation included remodeling every bunker from a links-style sod pot to more rugged shapes. They also added a more exciting closing stretch, redoing holes 15-18. Today, the Duke's is one of the finest golf courses in Scotland.
... full article »
The first nine holes of Aberfeldy Golf Club were laid out in the level floodplain of the River Tay in 1895, making it one of the oldest courses in the Scottish highlands. In 1993, plans were adopted to extend the course by nine holes. In 1995, almost 100 years to the day after the christening of the original nine holes, the 5,283-yard, par-68, 18-hole course opened to members and the public.
... full article »