Got to play dumbarnie links, Eden and dukes at st Andrew’s, and kingsbarns. All were excellent even in sketchy Scottish weather for the first three days. Kingsbarns was unreal. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with any of those. Good luck!

Yes Kingsbarns is certainly a must play!

I just returned from my first trip to Scotland which started in Glasgow with rounds at Royal Troon (the Old Course and Portland Course), Prestwick, and Glasgow Gailes then drove over to St. Andrews where I played the Old Course, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie, St. Andrews New Course, St. Andrews Jubilee Course, and finished up the trip at the Kittocks Course at Fairmont Hotel. All of those courses were unreal and it is hard to pick a favorite.

Great thread. Planning a similar trip May 2024 so this is great research on the courses.

Curious if anyone has had issues with transporting clubs over there? My nightmare would be to arrive in Scotland and the clubs don't show up!!

I have been over there 3 times on American Airlines flights using a hard case and have not had a problem with my bags making the trip. I try to minimize the number of connecting flights and make sure there is several hours between transfers. My bag fees are included but if you are worried and have to pay extra bag fees anyway, shipping ahead of time using ShipSticks might be a good way to go. Very few courses over there have Titleist rental sets so if yours are lost or late, you might have to rent some clubs you will not like.

Just returned. Incredible experience. Of all the courses I played, I would rate Dumbarnie, Kings Barns and Royal Dornoch at the top. Castle had the best views. The Old Course was the wettest. Overall....wonderful experience!!

Had a direct flight from Atlanta to Edinburgh. I bought a Club Glove soft case. Great product and had room to pack additional items, but was a pain lugging through the airport. Like Dale V., will probably use Ship Sticks next time.

Jim V.
Would love to hear your thoughts on Royal Dornach. Played the course back in the 80's and it was terrific.
I have heard they re-designed one of the holes on the front 9. (Maybe 4...not sure). What did you think of the hole called Foxy? Very challenging. If you want my email, let me know.

Go to the West Coast and try Dundonald Links, the Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open have both been played there. There is some outside play availability on Thursdays at Royal Troon. Any of the South Ayrshire Council courses can be fun, I enjoy Lochgreen.

Southerness in the borders is well worth a visit. Especially if you can get on an open competition as the price is vastly reduced with some beautiful views across the bay.

St Andrews is always worth a visit but lots of nice little courses round there such as lundin and leven links. Having been lucky enough to live in the toun four five years I’d also say the old course is a must visit, but once you’ve played it the new and jubilee are more challenging and more interesting.

Monifieth is a lovely little course just outside Dundee (15/20 minutes from St Andrews) and of course you have Carnoustie nearby.

Jerry M...We loved Royal Dornoch. It was the 1st we played, so we were the freshest. What I remember the most about the course were the tremendous sea views! I remember some long Par 4's, including Foxy. I had trouble reaching them in regulation.

I'm not a great student of golf architecture, however, most of the courses in that area appear to have been constructed utilizing the natural topography to its fullest extent.

Prestwick st Nicholas is a fantastic links track and another wonderful course is West Kilbride, it has amazing views over the Isle of Arran these courses won’t break the bank either!

We used to just go onto Tee Off Times and book everything years ago. If you're in the west of Scotland, some cheaper course I've enjoyed are Belleilse and Lamlash (on Arran, it's stunning). Happy to help more if you need, born and bred there before moving down south recently for work :)

Thanks for the response.. the help on this group is somthing else! i have played a lot on the east coast but am going to start playing some down the west coast so will certainly take a look! out of interst are there any that i should look at in the highlands

I had a great time playing solo and doing Ballot Buddy for The Old Course. Its about a 10% chance each day and I entered the ballot 5 times and got it on the 4th chance.

Yes it is a great way to do it, myself a a good friend managed to get on there on our first try.. what a place

I loved Castle Stuart, Nairn and Kingsbarns. Royal Troon was great as well.

Troon is on the list! and heard a lot about castle stuart so thanks for that

You have to play the original 12 holes, Prestwick. A wonderful experience. They have since added 6 holes. North Berwick Is another gem, a lot of history.

Prestwick has been an 18 hole course since 1882. Six of the original greens and only 3 of the original holes as still part of the course.

no i cant say that i have played either but will be adding to the list as am driving up there next month for a few weeks

If you are looking for something a bit different Lundin golf club, Levin links both very close and could do both in a day. Further along the coast you have Crail all decent.

If you have a few extra dollars to spend, book in and stay 2-3 days at Gleneagles. Three great tracks and some of the best food anywhere. We have never had a bad experience there. They have other thinks you can do too; falconry, fishing, off road Landrovers, and shooting.

They have won many awards for the level of service they provide and you could eat for hours at the breakfast buffet.

Curious…what takes you to Scotland so often?

We have a house there as that is where my wife is from.

One course that has not been mentioned is The Golf House Club of Elie. About 12 miles from St. Andrews but worth the drive. Claims to be the 3rd oldest course in Scotland from the 1500th century. Fun to play with great views of North Sea and towering cliffs. Cruden Bay is another further away from St. Andrews but worth your time to play.

Evening all.

Hopefully in the next few hours I’ve posted some help on here regarding travel to Scotland.

If anyone wants any advise regarding train travel please feel free to reach out.

Machrihanish Golf Club (machgolf.com). The Championship course is unforgettable experience. South end of mull of Kintyre nut accessible and worth every minute of the trip. Campbeltown is a short distance away, wonderful area with a lot of history. This course should be top on anyone's list traveling to Scotland. Hole 1 is possibly the greatest starting hole in golf!

Also, along the west coast you have a lot of amazing courses (Prestwick, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Machrihanish Dunes, Machrie, and Loch Lomond is a very different and wonderful experience).

Enjoy!