Golf the Legendary Courses on Your Scotland Golf Vacation

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]

Golf in Scotland - Regional Golf Course Guide and Where to Play Golf in Scotland

Golf In Scotland

Over 550 years ago, golf was born in Scotland. It was not the fastest growing sport by any means as by 1850, there were less than 20 golf courses in Scotland.

However, by the early 1900's there was 275 and today there are more than 550 golf courses throughout Scotland. Figures suggest than 1 in 10 play golf and when you are out traveling, Scotland is simply littered with golf courses at every turn and you can always see someone pulling or pushing their golf trolley down the pavement.

Scotland is the Home of Golf and as you would expect the Scottish Golf Courses are second to none.

Golf was originally played by the sea and the first links golf courses were born. Today, Scotland boosts many of the worlds greatest including the hallowed turf of St Andrews Old Course to the last major arrival on the Open Tour, Turnberry which today is often hailed as the best golf courses in Scotland.

Southwest Scotland Golf

Argyll, The Isles, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway

Every region of Scotland is literally littered with a lifetime of quality golf courses, links, parklands and moorlands included. But the Southwest of Scotland stretches from Gretna in the south to Oban in the north offering over 100 golf courses combined with stunning scenery and tourist attractions at every stage.

Wherever you start your visit, we would recommend that you take a trip to the Isle of Arran where you will find 7 courses to choose from. Our personal favorite would be Shiskine, with Brodick and Lamlash close behind. A new course is Machrihanish Dunes which is receiving wide acclaim as one of the newest links courses in Scotland. It sits on the Mull of Kintye.

Ayeshire is a golfers paradise with Open Championship courses to test all golfers - Royal Troon and Alisa (Turnberry) spring to mind testing all golfers to the limit. Lets not forget Dundonald, the sister course of Loch Lomond. Dundonald was designed by Kyle Phillips who gained worldwide acclaim with Kingsbarns.

Its a magically region with a superb coastline, great accommodation and hospitality and a lifetime of golf.

South East Courses, Scotland

Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian, Boarders

Any visit to Scotland should be combined with a visit to its capital, Edinburgh. What makes Edinburgh unlike any other capital in the world is that its surrounded by the widest selection of the best golf courses - all within 30 min's drive.

The Boarders offer the Dave Thomas designed Roxburghe and nearby in Peebles, Cardrona is set alongside the River Tweed with a stunning backdrop. If you in the region, add Peebles, Minto, Innerleithen and The Hirsel as must plays as all offer challenging golf.

East of Edinburgh is East Lothian - and I think you will find it hard to find any coastal stretch so packed with some of the best links courses to be played. Muirfield is one of the Tour's favorite scottish venues, but combined with the 3 courses at Gullane (No 1 in particular) Cragielaw, Dunbar and my personal favorite North Berwick its an exceptional region less than 30 min's outside of Edinburgh.

Within Edinburgh, you have some courses such as Braids No.1, Duddingston, Bruntsfield Links and Royal Bursges. Just outside and towards the west you have Marriott Dalmahoy a top quality resort with the West Course being one of the best golf courses in Scotland.

Edinburgh is a very vibrant and beautiful city which makes a perfect back drop for a quality golfing holiday or a base from which to start exploring the rest of Scotland.

Central Golf Courses, Scotland

Central

The central region of Scotland is the most populated area of Scotland and it is home to some of the finest inland courses. Many of the courses can be accessed from Glasgow with was the former European City of Culture. Its the creative center of Scotland and with it comes the restaurants, museums, bars and cafes as well as an upbeat nightlife.

Haggs Castle is one of Glasgow's top golf courses having hosted many professional tournaments. It is still regarded as one of the best inland golf courses in the country. Cawder should also be visited.

A little further away is Carluke - which combines beautiful views over the Clude Valley with a quality parkland course. Renfrew Golf Club has been used on various occasions for Open Qualifying and the same goes for Erskine and Ranfurly.

A little further north you will find Loch Lomond, and the Carrick on Loch Lomond which is well worth the visit. It was opened in 2007 and designed by Doug Carrick, the Canadian architect.

Traveling towards Stirling, you will find Stirling Golf Club and Glenbervie, an excellent test of golf. Cross over the River Forth and you will once again be spoilt for choice with Tulliallan, Braehead and Alloa.

The central region of Scotland is another golfing delight. You could spend a year playing the courses in the region and never be bored.

Heartlands Courses, Scotland

Perthshire, Angus, Dundee and Fife

There is no point describing the heartlands region as anything else than a golfing mecca. A list of the worlds best golf courses that would bring most golfers to their knees and if you do desire to play the top golf courses, then there is not better place on earth.

For any visit to this region, a base in St Andrews or nearby is ideal. Just being in St Andrews is a golfing experience that no one could deny. You have the hallowed ground of St Andrews Old Course which you can book a year in advance or enter the daily ballot. The St Andrews Links Trust also has 6 other courses including the new Castle Course. Less than 3 miles away your have St Andrews Fairmont and another 3 miles you will be playing Kingsbarns.

Into Perthshire and you have the jewel of Gleneagles with the Kings, Queens and the PGA Centenary Course host to the Ryder Cup in 2014. Lets not forget the hotel, the Gleneagles Resort, which is 5* luxury in the beautiful Perthshire landscape.

Further north lies the monster of Open Championship golf courses - Carnoustie - a simply unbelievable test of golf with the hotel and bar to recount, relive and re-evaluate your golf full-stop. Its got to be played.

There are also inland parkland courses such as Ladybank which deserves a lot of praise, and lets not forget Scotscraig, Crail or Lundin Links. These courses are often overlooked, but situated anywhere else, they would be the top courses in any region.

The Heartlands is simply a mind blowing experience for any golfer and with so many choices making any choices is hard. We have an in depth knowledge of the region, the golf courses, the golf hotels and how to make it the most memorable golfing trip.

North East Golf Courses, Scotland

Aberdeen & Grampian

The north east of Scotland has over 70 golf courses to choose from and its getting a lot of press at the moment with Donald Trump's new golf course on the move.

Throughout the region, quality golf courses hinge the fantastic links coast. This includes Cruden Bay which is perfectly situated amongst the rolling dunes. And then you have Royal Aberdeen and Murcar running along the coast. Murcar Links staged the Challenge Tour event in 2006 and Royal Aberdeen has hosted a wide range of top competitions including the Seniors Open in 2005 while being the 6th Oldest Club in the world. The Balgownie course is a classic links with 9 holes out and back hugging the shore.

With distilleries and castles everywhere, the region offers a great golfing destination either for short golf breaks or for the long golf holiday.

Newburgh-on-Ythan is another gem south of Aberdeen and lets not forget the Royal Terlair, Peterhead, Fraserburgh or Duff House Royal.

The North East of Scotland combines brilliant golf with excellent value for money. The hospitality is excellent.

Highlands & Island Golf Courses Scotland

The Scottish Highlands offer golfers that something extra special. They combine an unbeatable landscape where simply looking becomes a pleasure, with golf that challenges the very best in Scotland.

Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands and it combines local charms with a bustling city. Nairn, a golfing haven is just a few miles down the road and both Nairn and Nairn Dunbar should be played if possible. And lets not forget Castle Stuart, the new golf resort in the Highlands with the course reopening in April 2010.

Further north, we have what many believe to be the best golf course in the country - Royal Dornoch. The reason it does not feature on the Open Championship Tour is because of far northern location and unpredictable weather. For mere mortal golfers like us - this is fantastic news as the green fees are reasonable and the club retains it personal and loveable character. A few miles away you can also play Brora, a loved and admired golf course by those who know.

If you are looking for remote golfing, keeping heading north and combine the Orkneys or even the Shetlands. Whalsay is Britain's most northerly course.

Working your way over to the west coast, the landscape is personally the best in Scotland and for any golfer visiting this region try and visit Durness Golf Course. Forget the luxuries of manicured greens and perfect lies, Durness Golf Course offers golf as it would have been and golf as it perhaps should be. The 9 hole course has 2 different tees making an 18 hole circuit and if you love golf, you will simply love it. The Par-3 9th/18th hits the ball over the Atlantic and the views are stunning.

We have some expert knowledge of this region so get in touch if you are looking for a golf break or golf holiday.

For more information on golf courses and golf holidays, please visit us at www.mulliganplus.com/golf-in-scotland.cfm

Reagan Pannell is editor of http://www.mulliganplus.com - Mulligan+ Find. Track. Play Golf