Known famously as the birthplace of golf, Scotland has some of the best golf courses in the UK and even the world.
From the Home of Golf at St Andrews, to the incredible Prestwick Golf Club which hosted the first Open Championship in 1860, Scottish golf courses are a joy to experience.
But how many golf courses are actually in Scotland? Let’s find out.
How Many Courses In Scotland?
Golf Courses In Scotland
Scotland is home to over 580 golf courses across various regions and isles. This huge number of courses means there’s more courses per head of population than anywhere else in the world.
It’s an amazing place for golfers to play at some of the most famous golf courses on the planet such as the St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie Golf Links and Gullane Golf Club.
Glasgow has the highest number of golf courses near it, with Edinburgh next on the list.
Scotland is most renowned for its wonderful array of links golf, with courses open to the extreme elements in the region. Scotland also has a brilliant selection of inland courses as well, such as the world-class Gleneagles Resort in Perthshire and Blairgowrie near Dundee.
The first record of golf in Scotland dates back to the 15th century when it was actually banned in 1457 because it was distracting soldiers from military training.
Some of the earliest and most well-known golf course architecture was done by the great Old Tom Morris. His work can be seen at Carnoustie Golf Links and Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
Best Courses To Play Golf In Scotland
With over 580 golf courses, Scotland has many golf courses to choose from. So which are the best places to spend a few hours enjoying the links?
Here’s a quick look at the best areas for playing golf in Scotland.
Ayrshire & Arran
The Southwest and West coast of Scotland are perhaps the best areas for golf with some of the best courses in Scotland located there.
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) in Ayrshire is known for its iconic lighthouse and stunning golf course. It also played host for the 1977 Open Championship, and saw Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson battle it out, which was later referred to as “The Duel In The Sun”.
Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon is another great links layout which is traditional in the sense it takes you out and back in again. Founded in 1878, the course which was designed by the great James Braid has hosted The Open on multiple occasions.
Perhaps the most famous in the area is Prestwick Golf Club. The course is known for hosting the first-ever open Championship in 1860. The rugged layout is about as classic as you can get from a links golf course.
Fife
The Fife region in Scotland is a golfer’s paradise full of rich history. If you’re lucky enough to make the journey to the East Coast of Scotland, playing some of the golf courses is a must and an absolute bucket list destination.
Of course, the most famous of all the golf courses in Scotland and perhaps the world is the iconic St Andrews Old Course. It’s the Home of Golf after all and even if you don’t play, you probably still know about this incredible place.
The St Andrews Golf Links is home to a total of seven public golf courses which include the Old, New, Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathyrum and The Castle. If you’re lucky enough to get a round on the Old course, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life.
A few miles South along the coast is the beautiful Kingsbarns Golf Links. The North Sea is on display from almost every part of the golf course offering breathtaking views but also means it’s open to the strong winds and punishing Scottish elements.
Aberdeen
The North East of Scotland features a huge selection of famous courses and championship courses.
Royal Aberdeen is the pick of the bunch in Aberdeen and sits in the Top 10 best golf courses in Scotland. Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the 8th oldest club in the world and has hosted the Walker Cup and Scottish Open, amongst others.
A few miles up the road is Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen. This fairly new course was opened in 2012 and has already established itself as one of the best golf courses in Scotland. With spectacular views out into the North Sea, Trump International Golf Links is a must-play for any serious golfer.
Lothians
The Lothians is another sensational region for golf, with plenty of top courses to choose from.
Muirfield Golf Club in Gullane is location for the oldest golf club in the world and has hosted the 3rd most Open Championships over the years. The course is widely regarded as one of the most challenging tests of golf and the best layout in East Lothian.
Just east of Muirfield and about 25 miles from Edinburgh is the amazing North Berwick Golf Club. This stern test of golf is a true links test that demands the best of any golfer.
Other Areas
The huge list of Scottish golf courses means we could go on forever talking about the best places to play, however, a few other worthy mentions on the list include the Gleneagles Hotel, Castle Stuart, Cruden Bay, Loch Lomond, Dumbarnie Links, Machrihanish and Dundonald.
Final Thoughts
Scotland’s golf courses are some of the best in the world. Perhaps best known for the iconic St Andrews Old Course, it also features an incredible choice of over 580 courses to pick from.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned golfer, golf in Scotland is quite the experience which provides stunning views and a great test of skill
Scotland Golf Courses FAQs
How many golf courses are in St Andrews?
St Andrews Golf Links is home to seven public golf courses, most famously the Old Course. The St Andrews Old Course is regarded as the Home of Golf and one of the most recognisable golf courses in the world.
Can the public play at St Andrews Golf Course in Scotland?
Yes, St Andrews is open to the public who can pay to play the iconic golf venue. Getting a tee time on the Old Course in peak times will prove very challenging, however, and only the lucky few will get in through the ballot.
Founder, Editor
Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.
