Carnoustie Golf Links, Skottland

Golf in Scotland

Kaia Means Avatar
Kaia Means

Translated by AI

Scotland is so much more than just tradition and history. Here you’ll find some of the world’s most fun golf courses and some of the toughest. Add haggis, whisky and a crowd of friendly Scots, and you have the recipe for a splendid golf trip.

Scotland is unavoidable for traveling golfers. Not just because this is the cradle of the game and people have played golf here for at least 600 years, but also because you’ll find a huge range of courses, and the chance of incredible experiences every single day.

The bridge over the Barry Burn at Carnoustie Golf Links, with the Carnoustie Golf Hotel in the background
Carnoustie Golf Links.

Golf courses in Scotland

Scotland has more than 570 golf courses in ten different golf regions. The highest density of courses is around Edinburgh (67 courses) and Glasgow (94 courses). But those who stay around the cities miss out on something big. There’s hardly anything as refreshing as being far off the beaten track, with Scottish mountains behind you and a rolling course in front of you. Try Aberdeen and the Scottish Highlands, Ayrshire and Carnoustie Country. Go to St Andrews and tee off on the Old Course and all the other courses at the Home of Golf. Play links courses that have been there for hundreds of years, or courses created by today’s celebrity architects. Wherever you are, the scenery is stunning.

Fairway between dunes running down to the North Sea at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, Aberdeen.
Green in a valley between tall dunes at Cruden Bay Golf Club, with the sea in the background
Cruden Bay Golf Club, Aberdeenshire.

You can’t go to Scotland without being prepared for rain, but in a decade on Scottish golf courses there actually haven’t been many times when the weather was unbearable. An amazing number of times it’s been sunny and warm, and it’s always an inspiring experience.

Some people worry about old-fashioned etiquette and dress codes. Many of the clubs have entirely modern rules. Golf is a sport for every walk of life in Scotland. Yes, a few clubs can be a bit prim, but it all works out. Just remember that you often can’t wear golf shoes and caps in the bar. It’s rare to come across the most old-fashioned clubs that require a jacket and tie (and exclude women). Scotland is really a country of equality, and most clubs reflect that.

This article by Kaia Means was originally published in Norwegian on our sister site Golfjournalen.no. It has been translated by AI.

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