Links To The Seaside Trail
4 MIN READ
Scotland’s links to seaside golf are well known. Some of our finest championship courses were carved from linksland hundreds of years ago, others far more modern in their design. These are the venues that define Scottish golf.
Glance at any ‘Top 100 Courses of the World’ list and there is every likelihood you will spot a Scottish links venue. The Old Course in St Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Royal Dornoch and Carnoustie spring to mind, but we could be here for some time finalising a wish-list of Scottish links courses to play. For the visitor, the appeal of links golf is often why they make the pilgrimage to Scotland.
After all, Scotland is home to approximately 100 links courses, dotted at all corners of the compass. ‘Links’ refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland. The late Seve Ballesteros used to love the links challenges on Open weeks, but the appeal of links golf has often crossed the Atlantic among the game’s elite.
Jordan Spieth relishes any chance to navigate undulating and fiery links terrain, shaping shots and being creative. “You get less swing-focused and more shot-focused over here because the second you take your brain off the shot you’re hitting, you may not find your ball,” said the American.
It’s only natural to start this Trail in St Andrews. With seven courses, the Fife town is home to the largest public golf complex in Europe. The Old, with its history and character, is much sought after for a cherished tee time. The New, Jubilee and Eden Courses are superb tests themselves, with the cliff-top Castle Course just out of town for a unique test.
Wandering down the 18th of the Old Course, it’s impossible not to look right now and marvel at the extended Rusacks St Andrews – the perfect venue to savour your stay. St Andrews oozes golf, on and off the course, and a visit to the new R&A World Golf Museum is in order. Hawkswood Country Estate, set in picturesque surroundings only 10 minutes away, offers another accommodation option while links golf is also plentiful near-by: from Kingsbarns to Dumbarnie to Lundin and Leven.
Further down the coast, East Lothian is proudly home to the greatest concentration of championship links courses in the world. Craigielaw, Gullane – home to three courses – and four-time men’s Scottish Open venue The Renaissance Club all follow in quick succession, with Dunbar another delight.
You are on ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’ and given the golfing menu there is every likelihood you will need to rest after your feast on the fairways. Stay at the Marine North Berwick, The Lodge at Craigielaw or Garleton Lodge – even experience ‘bar stool golf’ at Duck’s Inn at Aberlady!
Like St Andrews, golf is at the heart of life in Carnoustie. The Angus town is home to courses for all ages and abilities, not least the Championship test regarded the world over. Nearby Panmure combines the best elements of links, heathland, history and charm. Away from the links, experience city life at Malmaison or Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee.
Over on the west coast, the stretch of links land is as impressive as that seen on the other side of the country. Prestwick and Royal Troon are names to admire, with experiences to match. But the links list goes on… Dundonald Links, Western Gailes, Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Trump Turnberry.
Dundonald has unveiled wonderful new stay-and-play lodges, alongside a new clubhouse. Perhaps explore some of the local delights, like The Wee Hurrie takeaway in Troon or a pint in The Red Lion in Prestwick, before settling into your luxury Dundonald stay and dreaming about more links golf.
Explore the trail here