What are the top 10 golf courses in Scotland?
A to Z list of Scottish Golf Courses. A. Aberdour Golf Club. Alford Golf Club. Ardeer Golf Club. Aberfeldy Golf Club. Alloa Golf Club. Askernish Golf Club. Aberfoyle Golf Club. Alness Golf ... B. Baberton Golf Club. Bellshill Golf Club. Braid Hills Golf Course. Balbirnie Park Golf Club. Benbecula ...
How many courses are there on a golf break in Scotland?
You'll be spoiled for choice on your golf break in Scotland with over 550 fantastic courses to play, including links courses, parkland courses, 9-hole courses and everything else in between. If you are just beginning to take up the sport, or haven't played for a few years, you'll find everything you need to know right here.
Why choose Scotland for your golf course design?
Scotland is the spiritual Home of Golf, but also much more than that, as Tom Doak poignantly declares: "Everything you need to learn about golf course architecture is in Scotland." We updated Scotland's Top 100 in November 2019.
How many golf courses are there in the UK?
There are now more than 550 golf courses throughout the country, with at least 21 courses in Edinburgh alone. The 18th hole at Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. When James VI succeeded to the thrones of England and Ireland in 1603 (see Union of the Crowns) a large number of his Scottish courtiers followed him to London.
How many golf courses are there in the Scottish Borders?
Golf in The Borders To stay a while in the Borders offers at least fifteen beautiful courses suitable for all ability golf enjoyment. Undulating fairways with enticing greens and bordered with trees, whins or heather offer the golfer a true test of golf whilst experiencing outstanding scenic views.
Why are there so many golf courses in Scotland?
Scotland is the Birthplace of Golf The modern game of golf was born in Scotland, and the first 18 hole course and the rules were both formed in the country. It is widely believed that St Andrews is where the first reference of golf was found, and this dates back all the way to 1552.
How many royal golf courses are there in Scotland?
The 64 clubs, in alphabetical order, are: Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, founded in 1745, granted Royal patronage by William IV in 1834. Royal Aberdeen, founded in 1780, granted Royal patronage in by Edward VII in 1903 (although Leopold had given patronage in 1872 without the “Royal” title being applied).
What is the largest golf course in Scotland?
Dukes CourseDukes Course Played from the tips, this is the longest golf course in Scotland and will out even the most talented players to the test.
Which Scottish city is known as the home of golf?
Saint Andrews Links located in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is widely recognized as the “home of golf.” Golf was played upon the Links at St Andrews as far back as the early 15th century. The oldest course at the Saint Andrews Links is known as the Old Course.
Is Scotland the birthplace of golf?
Golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
What is the name of a famous golf course in Scotland?
St Andrews Old Course It would be impossible to compile a list of the best golf courses, in Scotland and the world, and not include the Old Course at St Andrews. By far and away the most iconic course on the planet, you can feel how special the place is the moment you set foot in town.
How many golf courses are there in Fife?
With a history like no other in the game, Fife, The Home of Golf, is the must visit destination for every golfer. Whether you wish to sample the unique delights of St Andrews, or test your game on one of our other 43 delightful courses, you can be sure your experience will last in your memory for a lifetime.
Why are there no Russian golfers?
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Golf Federation (IGF) banned golfers from Russia from competing in tournaments under its jurisdiction.
How many golf courses are in St Andrews?
seven publicToday there are seven public golf courses; the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, the Old Course (which is widely considered one of the finest, and certainly the most famous and traditional course in the world), and The Castle Course, sited on the cliffs a mile to the east of St Andrews and designed by the ...
How many 9 hole golf courses are there in Scotland?
Of Scotland's 547 courses, 29% are 9 hole courses.
Which country invented golf?
ScotlandSt. Andrews, Scotland. It was here at the St. Andrews Golf Links that the R&A was formed and where the 18-hole round was established.
What is the toughest golf course in the world?
Carnoustie Golf Links. Carnoustie is considered by many to be the toughest of all the Open links courses. Walter Hagen described it as ' A great big shaggy monster' going on to praise it as the greatest golf course in the British... The Old Course originally consisted of twenty-two holes, eleven out and eleven back.
When was Prestwick Golf Club founded?
Prestwick Golf Club was founded in 1851 by a group of members who met at the Red Lion Inn, Prestwick. A Colonel Fairlie of Coodham brought Old Tom Morris to Prestwick from St.Andrews to be Keeper of the... Discover More.
How many golf courses are there in Scotland?
One thing is certain — the game of golf as we know it was born in Scotland". Scotland has 587 courses. The highest concentrations are around Glasgow (94 courses) and Edinburgh (67 courses), since these two cities and their environs account for the bulk of the population.
What is the oldest golf course in Scotland?
To many golfers, the Old Course at St Andrews, an ancient links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage. There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield, Kingsbarns, Turnberry and Royal Troon.
What is the spelling of golf?
became the usual spellings during the Early Modern Period. The Scottish National Dictionary states that " golf represents a revival of the Middle Scots form; Loudoun Gowf Club, Newmilns, retains the old form in its title"; i.e. the spelling changed from Medieval golf to Early Modern gowf, and then back again.
What is the spelling of golf in the 1470 Act?
The 1470 Act, in the reign of James III, again uses the spelling golf, but the 1491 Act, in the reign of James IV, spells it gouff'. code: gla promoted to code: gd. ; and variants such as gowf. code: gla promoted to code: gd.
What is the R&A golf club?
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, known as the R&A, was the world governing body for the game (except in the United States and Mexico). The R&A, a separate organisation from the club, was created in 2004 as the governing body.
Why is golf important in Scotland?
Golf is a vital part of Scotland’s economy and vitally important to our nation’s psyche.
Where did James VI play golf?
Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the king's eldest son, was playing golf in 1606. The Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins from these Scottish noblemen, thus claiming a pre-1745 foundation date. Although it is certainly the oldest English golf club, and the oldest outwith Scotland, there is no evidence that it is the oldest golf club in the world, as is sometimes claimed. This accolade is claimed by The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh who date back to 1735.
How many golf courses were there in Scotland in the 1980s?
The next 70 years saw a slow and steady growth before the next golf boom of the 1980s and 90s, bringing the total number of golf courses in Scotland to around 500.
When was golf banned in Scotland?
About. Golf has been part of the sporting landscape in Scotland since at least the 15th century when King James II banned the game by Act of Parliament in 1457 and there is mention of the game being played on a number of sites along the east side of the country during the 16th century, including Stirling (1505), Carnoustie (1527), ...
What is Royal Dornoch Golf Club?
Royal Dornoch Golf Club is spellbinding. It seems to mesmerise amateur and professional golfers from all over the world and many make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives.
Is Scotland the home of golf?
That number has since risen to 578 at the end of 2016. Scotland is the spiritual Home of Golf, but also much more than that, as Tom Doak poignantly declares: "Everything you need to learn about golf course architecture is in Scotland.". We updated Scotland's Top 100 in November 2019.
How many golf courses are there in Scotland?
The finest courses in the world. There are over 550 golf courses in Scotland today. Along a short stretch of coastline running from Largs to Ayr there is an endless procession of fairways including some of the finest links courses in the world: Turnberry, Royal Troon, Kilmarnock Barassie, Old Prestwick, Bogside, Glasgow and Western Gailes, ...
What are some interesting facts about golf in Scotland?
Top 10 facts about golf in Scotland. 1. The birthplace of golf. The first record of golf in Scotland dates back to the 15th century. In 1457 , golf was banned by parliament as it was seen as a distraction from military training. The ban was repealed in 1502 and King James IV made the first documented purchase of golf clubs in the same year.
Where is Old Tom's golf course?
Old Tom's work can be seen at Carnoustie, Nairn and Old Dornoch in Scotland, as well as Lahinch, Co. Clare in Ireland and Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. 4. "The finest parcel of land". The PGA Centenary Course, created by Jack Nicklaus, is considered a modern classic.
Who said when the Open is in Scotland, there's really something special about it?
If you ask any golfer to point you to the home of golf, all will point in one direction. Jack Nicklaus is quoted as saying "When the Open is in Scotland, there's really something special about it."
Who was the first golf course architect?
Pioneer in course architecture. One of the first great exponents of golf course was Thomas Mitchell 'Old Tom' Morris, Sr. of St Andrew's (not to be confused with son and fellow golfer, Young Tom Morris).
Who is the most successful golfer in the Ryder Cup?
The most successful Ryder Cup player. Scottish golfers have historically been well represented in The Ryder Cup. George Duncan of Aberdeenshire featured in the first three Ryder Cups, captaining Great Britain to its first victory in 1929.
What is the range and breadth of Scottish golf courses?
The range and breadth of Scottish golf courses means that whatever your level and course preference, you'll never be far from fairways and greens suited to you. If you want to experience some of the best golf courses Scotland has to offer, it's possible to build a golfing holiday in Scotland that ticks all these boxes.
When was golf invented in Scotland?
The first record of golf in Scotland dates from the 15th century (back then it was known as 'gowf'). In 1764 the Links at St Andrews (now known as the Old Course) was reduced from 22 holes to 18, creating the standard course format we still use today, and in 1860 the first Open Championship was held at Prestwick - an illustrious history indeed! Find out more about the history of golf at the British Golf Museum in St Andrews.
Who designed the St Andrews golf course?
'Old' Tom Morris designed the Old and New Courses at St Andrews while James Braid is responsible for more than 250 British courses, including the world-famous King's and Queen's Courses at Gleneagles.
Why are there 18 golf courses outside of Scotland?
The reason is that these courses were located where there was enough room to expand to 18 holes. These courses were founded by visiting Scots and local interest in golf did not come until much later.
How many golf courses were there in 1888?
At the turn of the 20th century, the number of clubs and courses would rise rapidly. In 1888, the Golfing Annual lists 197 clubs playing about 126 courses, though some courses are not named. By the end of the century this would be over 2,000 clubs, on over 1,000 courses.
Which golf clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds?
Only the Royal & Ancient and Musselburgh clubs were able to develop and play continuously over their original golfing grounds. All the other clubs of the 18th century and all the other 18 oldest golf clubs had to relocate, if only a mile or two, to establish the courses that they play today.
Is there a golf course in Edinburgh?
There is still a golf course at Bruntsfield Links (1695) in Edinburgh, though only the short-hole game is played there now. Recently it has become clear that parts of Fortrose golf course play over the area used by the Fortrose golfers at the end of the 18th century, which means the course is older than the club.
Where was the right to play golf?
The right to play golf on their links was enshrined in the 16th century Burgh records of St Andrews (1552) and, reputedly, at Elie (1589) and play is recorded at Musselburgh from 1672, but not with the precision needed to prove these activities were on today's course, though they almost certainly were. Therefore the courses at St Andrews, ...
Where was the first link golf course?
The first mention of links golf is on Barry Links near Carnoustie, but the exact location is not specified and may not be an area currently played. The first mention of a golf hole is ascribed to Aberdeen, in 1625, on the old Aberdeen Links, which is Queens Links and Broad Hill. However, this area is no longer played.
Did Kingsbarns and Scotscraig return to their original golfing grounds?
Kingsbarns and Scotscraig returned to their original golfing grounds, having been unceremoniously turfed off the land by tenant farmers who ploughed the courses up, leading to the demise of both clubs for many years.
How many golf courses does Donald Trump own?
Trump, a keen player and follower of golf, owns no fewer than 17 golf courses across the world, including ones in Aberdeen and Turnberry. His Aberdeen course, designed by Martin Hawtree, possesses views of towering dunes, vast valleys and the jagged coastline of the North Sea.
Who designed the golf course at Turnberry?
His Aberdeen course, designed by Martin Hawtree, possesses views of towering dunes, vast valleys and the jagged coastline of the North Sea. While Turnberry has been home to four memorable Open Championships, including 1977’s Nicklaus vs. Watson ‘Duel in the Sun’, and its ocean holes are set next to an iconic lighthouse.
Where does Donald Trump play golf?
His organisation, Trump Golf, owns a vast collection of golf courses across the world from right here in Scotland, to Ireland, America and Dubai.
Overview
Golf in Scotland was first recorded in the Scottish late Middle Ages, and the modern game of golf was first developed and established in the country. The game plays a key role in the national sporting consciousness.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, known as the R&A, was the world governing body for the game (except in the United States and Mexico). The R&A, …
Etymology
The word golf was first recorded in the 15th century, appearing twice in an Act of the Scots Parliament of 6 March 1457, in the reign of James II. The Act, which ordered the holding of wappenschaws (English: musterings) four times a year for the purpose of archery practice, stated that "the fut bal ande the golf" (football and golf) were to be "vtterly criyt done" (condemned; lit. "cried down") and "noc…
Origins
The exact origins of the sport of golf are unclear. The most widely accepted theory is that the modern game of golf originated in Scotland in the High Middle Ages. The first golf courses and clubs were established in the country. The first written rules originated in Scotland, as did the establishment of the 18 hole course. The first tournament structures developed and competitions were hel…
Golf course evolution
Golf courses have not always consisted of eighteen holes. The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea-shore). As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews established a trench through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of …
Spreading the game outwith Scotland
When James VI succeeded to the thrones of England and Ireland in 1603 (see Union of the Crowns) a large number of his Scottish courtiers followed him to London. The King resided at Greenwich Palace, and there is documentary evidence that some of these Scottish noblemen played golf on Blackheath, on the hill behind the palace. Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the king's eldest son, was playing golf in 1606. The Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins from these Scottish n…
Players
Several Scots golfers are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Players marked * are also members of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame:
• Willie Anderson* (1879–1910)
• Tommy Armour* (1894–1968)
• James Braid* (1870–1950)
See also
• Sport in Scotland
• Scottish Golf Union
• British Golf Museum
• Timeline of golf history (1353-1850)
• Timeline of golf history (1851-1945)
Further reading
• 2010, 18 Greatest Scottish Golf Holes, 18 Greatest
• Browning, Robert, 1955, A History of Golf, A & C Black, London
• Campbell, Malcolm, 2001, The Scottish Golf Book, Lomond Books
• Clark, Robert, 1875 and 1893, Golf: A Royal and Ancient Game, EP Publishing