If you're planning a Scotland Golf Vacation, then make sure
to at least book some of these legendary courses into your
itenarary. Scotland is the birthplace of golf, and no trip
there would be complete without visiting some of the famed
links we've only heard about or seen on TV. Take the
oppportunity to play some or all of these gems, and come
home from your Scotland golf vacation with a clubhouse full
of memories.
The Old Course at St. Andrews - A Scotland golf vacation
must include a visit to the Old Course at St. Andrews. The
site of 27 Open Championships, St. Andrews has been the
scene for much of golf's history. Best estimates say that
golf was being contested here 100 years before Columbus
discovered America. Another interesting tidbit is that the
course was originally 22 holes, unti 1764 when the Society
of St. Andrews Golfers, the predecessor to the Royal and
Ancient Golf Club, decided to combine some holes and shorten
the course to 18 holes, the standard number we play today.
Much of St. Andrews is well-know: the 112 bunkers, including
the imfamous pot bunkers; The Swilken Burn Bridge; the Road
Hole, no. 17, one of the toughest holes in golf and the
seven double greens, which sometimes require errant shots to
the green to play a prodigious putt on greens that measure
more than an acre in total size. Don't leave St. Andrews off
your Scotland golf vacation: you'll regret it!
Carnoustie - The second oldest course in Scotland, dating
from the 1500's, Carnoustie has developed a reputation for
toughness second to none in Scottish golf. The list of Open
winners on championshisp contested here reads like a who's
who of golf: Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Henry Cotton, Gary
Player, Tom Watson and the latest, Pual Lawrie in 1999. A
long links course at 7368 yards from the tips, Carnoustie
demands length and accuracy off every tee. And if that
wasn't enough, the wind and rain play a significant role in
any round. One of the more famous holes is the par 5 sixth
hole, which is known as Hogan's Alley for his birdie/birdie
finish on the 36-hole final day of the '53 Open. A Scotland
golf vacation must include Carnoustie!
Gleneagles - A most friendly golf complex of four courses,
Glenagles has long been a favorite among those who truly
love the game of golf. Home of the PGA Centenary golf
course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and home to the Ryder Cup
Championships in 2014, PGA Centenary was called by Nicklaus
the "finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been
given to work with." A longish course at 7081 yards, it
nevertheless demands pinpoint accuracy and is a prime
example of target golf, thus avoiding the numerous ponds and
streams as well as both pot bunkers and American style sand
traps. A longtime favorite of Bob Hope, Glenagles is a
treasured stop on your Scotland golf vacation.
Muirfield - The very name of Muirfield included in your
Scotland golf vacation should raise the heart rate a few
notches. Past Open winners here include the likes of Vardon,
Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson and Faldo. A stern test of
golf in every resepct, Muirfield also boasts the oldest golf
club, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, with
rolls dating back to 1744. Often bestowed the with honor of
being the finest course in not only Scotland but the entire
British Ilses, Muirfield brings a combination of history and
incredible golf that would make any Scotland golf vacation
one for the ages.
Royal Troon Golf Club - A true test of golf, Royal Troon has
seen it's share of legends hoist the Claret Jug: Bobby
Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavechia and
Justin Leonard have won here. Wind is the story here at
Troon. And while the front side presents numerous scoring
opportunities, the wind can wreak havoc with those plans.
The back side is just plain hard. So make hay on the front
side if you can. One of the most famous holes in golf is
located here, the eighth hole, measuring a wee 126 yards, is
known the world over as "the Postage Stamp". Include Royal
Troon on any Scotland golf vacation.
Turnberry - Possibly the most scenic of Scotland golf
vacation stops, Turnberry has been called the Pebble beach
of the British Isles. And when you factor in the weather,
that rings true. A bewitching combination of great golf and
magnificent views, such as the castle of Robert the Bruce,
Scotland's King from 1306 to 1329, lying off the 9th and
10th holes, make playing this tough course an even more
challenging task. The site of several stirring Opens, the
most memorable being the famous Nicklaus/Watson battle in
1977. Be sure to include Turnberry as one of your stops on
your Scotland golf vacation.
While there is much more great golf to be found on lesser
known tracks, these legends are what has given Scotland most
of it's lore and charm. Try to visit as many of these as you
can on your next Scotland golf vacation!
Keith Thompson is addicted to golf and runs the site Scotland Golf Vacation [http://scotland-golf-vacation.golf-vacation-deals.info]
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