Scottish Golf Services

There is not much that we can add to what's already been said about the Old Course, except that if ever you had a choice to play any one course in the world it would have to be this. First played around 1400 AD, which constitutes six centuries of golfing legends.

This naturally formed links course regularly hosts major competitions and is without doubt the most famous golf course in the world. The course has held no less that twenty-six Open Championships. The Open Championship is once more returning to the Old Course in 2005.

Par 72 - 6566 yards.

The New course was the second course to be constructed at St Andrews and was named "The New" simply to differentiate it from the existing "Old Course" Laid out in 1895 by old Tom Morris.

The course is a classic links course, recently ranked 47 in Golf World's best, and uses the natural features of the land to create a first class golfing challenge.

Par 71 - 6604 yards.

Originally laid out as a twelve-hole course, it was changed in 1902 to the eighteen you see now. The course itself is laid on a narrow stretch of land, with very narrow fairways to aim at, and has all the usual array of traps including heavy rough and the famous St Andrews Bunkers. The Jubilee is considered by many to be the toughest of all the courses in St Andrews and is being used as a final qualifier for the 2005 Open.

Par 72 - 6742 yards.

There are two courses of equal standard at St Andrews Bay, these are the Torrance and Devlin courses.

The Torrance as the name suggests was designed by Sam Torrance and the late Gene Sarazen. From the first hole the challenge begins immediately. The course is designed with undulating fairways and greens as well as challenging bunkers. Upon seeing the finished course Sam himself is quoted to have said that it was "truly awesome".

Par 72 - 7037 yards.

The experience Bruce Devlin has achieved over the years culminates in a truly wonderful golf course that lulls the unsuspecting golfer into a false sense of security with a great mix of par four and fives. As with Torrance, this course is beautifully complimented by the views across the town of St Andrews and Carnoustie in the distance.

Par 72 - 7049 yards.

Located six miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns is without doubt one of the most breathtakingly beautiful links courses ever developed. All of the holes offer a diversity many courses only dream of. The course is being touted as a future venue for the British Open and enjoys historical origins dating back to 1793. The soul of the course is in its links heritage and its heart embraces the sea.

The playing experience is one that will stay with you forever and have you counting the days until your next trip. We guarantee you will return.

Par 72 - 7125 yards.

This course was established in 1560, although James Braid designed the Carnoustie as we now know it today. The Open Championship first came to the course in 1931 when Tommy Armour triumphed. In later years Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tom Watson all took the trophy that was last here in 1999, when Paul Lawrie won on home soil.

The course has been described as "the toughest course in the world" and the sixth hole, "Hogans Alley", is particularly renowned as one of the best par fives in the world. Offering one of the finest courses in the world, this is a thrilling golfing experience and is the way the great game should be played.

Par 72 - 6941 yards.

The course has a very distinguished history and has been used no fewer than three times as a final qualifier for the Open Championship itself. The well-grassed narrow fairways, lush semi rough and penal heavy rough makes accuracy the name of the game. The fast greens and deep riveted bunkers make Monifieth a test for all golfers.

Par 71 - 6655 yards.

With a membership that has been enjoying golf here since 1786, Crail Golf Club is the seventh-oldest in the world. The Balcomie Links offers a splendid round as this beautiful course is not too long and is full of interesting holes. Several of the fairways stretch along the bays of golden sand on the Forth foreshore. The signature hole is the fifth, often referred to as "Hell's Hole", where you will be presented with the option of carrying the beach or go the long way. Whichever you chose you will experience a great day out at Crail.

Par 67 - 5440 yards.

This traditional old Scottish links course is well bunkered with undulating fairways and is well balanced with strong par fours, tricky par threes and tough par fives. The bunkers here are famous and no less than ten bunkers protect the signature hole, the eighth. Royal Aberdeen is another example of what Scottish golf is all about and it is, in our opinion, a must-play course.

Par 70 - 6850 yards.

The name "Hidden Gem" is too often used for many of Scotland's golf courses, but Murcar fully justifies such a compliment. Established in 1909, this club nonchalantly appears frequently in the top-100 UK courses. Not for the faint hearted, to play the course well you will have to use every shot in the book.

Par 71 - 6314 yards.

Cruden Bay is one of the most picturesque golf courses in the entire world. Old Tom Morris designed the present course in 1899. This is one for the camera, and when you get to the tenth-tee you will know exactly what we mean. The obstacles presented by the course are many and varied, from blind shots to deep bunkers and of course the occasional burn to trap you in the water. A truly unique course.

Par 70 - 6396 yards.

The Moray firth provides a section of the background of Nairn and you have views of the sea from every hole. On the first seven holes you have to keep the ball left otherwise you will find yourself in 'the drink'. This course has been laid in true Scottish links traditions, requiring accurate drives and precision-second shots. The course has numerous humps and hollows, with bunkers that are both obvious and hidden. The greens here are always tricky and the course is a test for eveyone.

Par 72 - 6721 yards.

Tom Watson said of the club that it was "the most fun I have ever had on a golf course" and if it's good enough for Tom then it's certainly good enough for us. Located on the Dornoch Firth, this is a truly outstanding golf course. Offering not only an amazing golf course but also incredible views of the coastline and surrounding countryside. The club has a refreshingly informal approach with all guests made to feel very welcome by the staff and encouraged to enjoy the course. Dornoch has an array of different holes, such as the short accurate shots needed for the par threes and pin point second shots on the par fours. The course also has some wonderful driving holes for those of you who are brave enough to take out the big dog and send it fizzing down the fairway.

The golf course at Brora could be the most fun course that you will ever play. Situated ten miles north of Dornoch the course sets a healthy challenge to all who tread there. The course itself is set amongst common grazing land and they have cattle and sheep grazing on the course, although the greens are protected by an electric fence to keep the animals from treading on the green. You get a free shot if you hit the fence without penalty, but if you hit an animal then we're afraid it's just a rub of the green. The golf club and course are very unpretentious and it is a joy just to be there.

Par 69 - 6110 yards.

Dating back to 1878, this is considered one of the world's truly great courses. The course has a considerable connection to the USA, with previous winners of the Open played at Troon including Arnold Palmer, Tom Wieskopf, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard and the great Tom Watson.

Accuracy is paramount on Royal Troon and the hazards are numerous with deep rough, gourse, broom and bunkers. The club was most recently given the priviledge of hosting The Open in 2004.

Par 71 - 7150 yards.

This course was founded in 1897 and has attracted many celebrated professional and amateur golfers over the years. The course is a very traditional one and is laid out in true Scottish links fashion. For those of us who have had the privilege to play the course it offers something approaching the ideal in a golf course.

Par 71 - 6741 yards.

Another of the locations that we like to describe as as a "Hidden Gem", Barassie is an unassuming course that offers an outstanding challenge to all golfers. The course was used again as a final qualifier for the 2004 Open, and also played host to The Junior Open the previous week.

Par 72 - 6817 yards.

This is where Open Golf began, when in 1860 the very first Open Championship was held here and won by a gentleman named Willie Park. American golfer James Barnes won the last Open to be held here in 1925. The course itself is the true standard to which golf courses around the world strive to achieve. In the history of the game Prestwick holds its head high as one of the truly great golf courses in the world.

Par 71 - 6544 yards.

Turnberry has gradually increased its fanbase throughout the years and was finally awarded the highest honour by hosting The Open in 1977. The Open that year will go down as one of the finest ever contested, with the "Duel in the Sun" between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. The two courses here offer each golfer challenges that are there to be taken and enjoyed. The Ailsa Craig dominates the Turnberry and the ninth hole, with Bruce's Castle and the lighthouse, is probably the most photographed hole in the world.

Ailsa Course: par 70 - 6976 yards.

Although this is often thought of as the poor relation of Muirfield, let us assure you that this definitely not the case. Golf has been played here for over three hundred years and the three courses here are excellently laid out, with the number one and two course being prime examples of East Coast links golf. The golf here measures up to anywhere else in the world that one would care to mention - the well-maintained greens and links grasses, the numerous bunkers, fresh air and sea breezes make Gullane a unique challenge for the discerning golfer.

Another of our truly magnificent links courses, North Berwick is an Open qualifying venue that boasts some breathtaking scenery with views over the Isle of May and the Bass Rock. The course itself offers rewards to the "Canny Golfer" rather than the "Big Hitter" and is a definite think-before-you-hit golf course.

Par 71 - 6420 yards.

The course at Dunbar is by popular consent one of the most rewarding courses in Scotland and is regularly used as a qualifier for the Open. The situation of the course itself is heaven sent, with the fresh sea air and the outstanding views from the course making Dunbar an unforgettable experience.

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