Underrated Courses Deserving a Spot on Your Itinerary
When it comes to golf in Scotland, iconic names like St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Carnoustie dominate the spotlight. But for those willing to venture off the beaten path, Scotland offers a treasure trove of less well-known gems, courses that may lack global fame but are rich in character, challenge, and stunning scenery. Whether you’re looking to escape the crowds or uncover a unique golfing experience, these underrated courses deserve a place on your itinerary.
Why Explore Scotland’s Hidden Golf Gems?
While world-renowned courses are a bucket-list priority for many, lesser-known gems have their own charm. They’re often less crowded, more affordable, and offer a glimpse into the authentic Scottish golfing experience. You might find yourself teeing it up with locals, soaking in panoramic views, and enjoying a warm, unpretentious welcome at the clubhouse.
Here’s a closer look at some of Scotland’s overlooked yet exceptional golf courses:
Crail Golfing Society (Balcomie Links)
Location: Fife
As the seventh-oldest golf club in the world, Crail Golfing Society’s Balcomie Links is steeped in history and tradition. Designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris in 1895, the Balcomie Links is a classic seaside course that combines breathtaking coastal scenery with a layout that remains as enjoyable as it is challenging.
At just over 5,900 yards, Balcomie Links is not a long course, but its quirky design, undulating fairways, and small, well-guarded greens demand accuracy and creative shot-making. Add in the ever-changing coastal winds, and every round here feels like a new experience. Located on the eastern tip of Fife, Crail offers stunning panoramic views of the North Sea from nearly every hole.
Highlights: The 1st hole, a short par-4 with an inviting downhill tee shot, starts your round with spectacular views over the Firth of Forth, setting the tone for the scenic round ahead.
The 4th hole, a stunning par-3 with the sea looming to the right, is one of the most photographed holes in Scotland. Its tricky green and swirling winds make it as challenging as it is beautiful.
Insider Tip: After your round, enjoy a meal at the clubhouse, which offers spectacular views of the North Sea. For an even fuller experience, pair your round on Balcomie Links with a visit to Crail’s other course, Craighead Links, for a contrasting modern links design.
Machrihanish Dunes
Location: Kintyre Peninsula
Located on the remote Kintyre Peninsula, Machrihanish Dunes is a modern links course that feels as though it’s been there for centuries. Designed by David McLay Kidd, the course incorporates the natural contours of the landscape, making for a rugged, authentic experience.
Highlights: The dramatic coastal views and the feeling of solitude on the course make Machrihanish Dunes truly special. The stretch of holes along the Atlantic Ocean is unforgettable.
Insider Tip: Combine your round at Machrihanish Dunes with a trip to nearby Machrihanish Golf Club and Dunaverty Golf Club to experience contrasting yet complementary courses in one spectacular location.
Dunbar Golf Club
Location: East Lothian
Located along Scotland’s Golf Coast, Dunbar Golf Club is a stunning links course that offers incredible views of the North Sea and a layout that’s as challenging as it is beautiful. Designed by Old Tom Morris and later improved by Ben Sayers and James Braid, the course combines history and playability.
With its firm, fast fairways and greens, Dunbar rewards precision and creativity, while the coastal scenery makes every hole a treat for the senses.
Highlights: The back nine, in particular, showcases spectacular seaside golf. The par-4 17th, played alongside the waves crashing just feet away, is an unforgettable experience.
Insider Tip: Dunbar is part of East Lothian’s renowned cluster of courses, so consider pairing it with nearby gems like Gullane and Craigielaw or visit the nearby Belhaven Brewery, home of Belhaven Best, a favourite at the 19th hole.
Brora Golf Club
Location: Highlands
Nestled on the rugged coastline of the Scottish Highlands, Brora Golf Club offers a truly unique and authentic links golf experience. Designed by James Braid in 1923, this hidden gem has retained its original charm, offering a layout that blends seamlessly with the natural landscape. The course features firm, fast fairways, natural hazards, and smooth, well-maintained greens, all while providing breathtaking views of the North Sea and the surrounding hills.
Brora’s remote location only adds to its appeal, giving golfers a sense of solitude and a chance to connect with the game as it was meant to be played. It’s also home to the occasional friendly sheep or cow, which graze on the fairways and add a touch of character to this traditional links course.
Highlights: The 9th hole, a short par-3 called “Sea Hole,” plays directly toward the coastline, with a green set against the dramatic backdrop of the North Sea. It’s one of the most picturesque holes on the course.
The 17th hole, a great par-4 named “Tarbatness,” is a challenging drive with bunkers and the ever-present wind requiring precision off the tee and on the approach.
Insider Tip: Pair your round at Brora with a visit to nearby Royal Dornoch Golf Club for a Highlands golf experience you’ll never forget. After your game, take a stroll along the beach beside the course or stop by the clubhouse for a warm Highland welcome.
Kilspindie Golf Club
Location: East Lothian
Nestled along the East Lothian coastline, Kilspindie Golf Club offers a timeless golfing experience that showcases the charm of traditional Scottish links golf. Founded in 1867, Kilspindie is one of Scotland’s oldest golf clubs, yet it remains a hidden gem compared to the more famous courses nearby. The course is relatively short, measuring just over 5,500 yards, but don’t let its length fool you—Kilspindie is full of strategic challenges that reward precision and creativity.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Aberlady Bay and the Firth of Forth, Kilspindie delivers a tranquil yet testing round of golf. The coastal winds, rolling fairways, and impeccably maintained greens combine to make it a memorable experience for players of all abilities.
Highlights: The 8th hole, a delightful par-3 played directly along the shoreline, is both picturesque and challenging, especially when the wind is up.
The course’s tranquil setting and frequent sightings of coastal wildlife, including seabirds and seals, make every round feel like an escape from the modern world.
Insider Tip: After your round, visit the nearby village of Aberlady for a meal at one of its charming pubs. Pair Kilspindie with other East Lothian gems like Craigielaw or Gullane for a memorable golf trip along Scotland’s “Golf Coast.”
Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
Location: Black Isle, near Inverness
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, located on the narrow Chanonry Peninsula, is one of Scotland’s oldest golf clubs, dating back to 1793. This breathtaking links course offers a unique challenge with its compact layout, fast fairways, and coastal winds. Surrounded by the Moray Firth on three sides, the course combines stunning views with strategic design.
At just over 6,000 yards, Fortrose and Rosemarkie may seem short by modern standards, but its subtle challenges, including tight fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and small greens, make it a true test of skill.
Highlights: The 4th hole, a long par-5 with the Chanonry Lighthouse standing directly behind the sloping green, is the signature, classic links hole.
The course’s natural beauty and history make every hole feel special, especially when combined with the chance to spot dolphins or seals just offshore.
Insider Tip: After your round, take a walk to Chanonry Point Lighthouse for an up-close look at the bottlenose dolphins that frequent the area. Be sure to plan your visit around the tide schedule for the best chance to see them in action.
Monifieth Golf Links
Location: Angus
Located just a short drive from Carnoustie, Monifieth Golf Links offers two exceptional courses, the Medal and the Ashludie, both with traditional links characteristics. The Medal Course is a classic Scottish links that has hosted Open Championship qualifying rounds, while the shorter Ashludie Course is a delightfully fun test with spectacular views.
Monifieth’s charm lies in its fast, firm fairways, challenging bunkers, and greens that demand accuracy. While it doesn’t have the same fame as nearby Carnoustie, its quality and history—dating back to the 1600s—make it a must-play for those seeking authentic links golf.
Highlights: The Medal Course’s opening hole, played alongside a railway line, provides an unforgettable introduction to the round. The rolling terrain and natural dunes ensure variety and challenge throughout your game.
Insider Tip: Visit the nearby town of Monifieth to experience traditional Scottish hospitality, and save time to explore other gems such as Carnoustie and Panmure on the Angus coast.
Duff House Royal Golf Club
Location: Aberdeenshire
Set in the scenic town of Banff, Duff House Royal Golf Club is a James Braid-designed parkland course that offers a more relaxed yet rewarding alternative to Scotland’s rugged links courses. Bordered by the River Deveron and framed by mature trees, this course boasts wide fairways and beautifully maintained greens, making it playable for golfers of all levels.
Duff House Royal’s layout provides an enjoyable challenge, with subtle undulations, well-placed bunkers, and the constant presence of the river adding to its charm. The surrounding countryside and the stately Duff House, visible throughout the course, make for a truly picturesque round.
Highlights: The par-4 7th hole, with the River Deveron to your left, demands careful club selection. The long par-4 17th, with the river and its bridge to the right is a postcard-worthy backdrop that lingers in the memory.
Insider Tip: Combine your round with a visit to the nearby Duff House, a Georgian mansion that now serves as an art gallery. This pairing of golf and culture makes Duff House Royal a perfect stop on your Scottish golf adventure.
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
Location: Highlands
Located in the coastal town of Nairn, this championship-level links course offers a unique blend of seaside beauty and challenging design. Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is lesser-known compared to its famous neighbor, Nairn Golf Club, but it stands on its own as a brilliant layout with immaculate greens, rolling fairways, and stunning views of the Moray Firth.
Nairn Dunbar’s combination of natural sand dunes, strategic bunkering, and varying wind conditions provides a classic Scottish links experience that rewards thoughtful shot-making.
Highlights: The par-5 13th hole named “Long Peter” is a standout, offering risk-and-reward options for long hitters, while the closing stretch delivers plenty of excitement with strong finishing holes.
Insider Tip: After your round, take a stroll along Nairn’s beach or visit a nearby distillery like Glen Moray to complete your Highland experience.
Tain Golf Club
Location: Highlands
Located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Tain Golf Club offers a captivating blend of traditional links and parkland golf. Designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris in 1890, Tain’s layout takes full advantage of its stunning surroundings, with views of the Dornoch Firth and the rolling Highland landscape at nearly every turn.
At just under 6,400 yards, Tain is a course that emphasizes strategy over brute force. Its fairways are lined with gorse and heather, and its greens are protected by clever bunkering and subtle undulations. Tain is a course where careful shot placement is rewarded, and every hole feels distinct and memorable.
The peaceful setting and welcoming atmosphere make Tain a hidden gem that feels like a retreat from the modern world, while its excellent maintenance and design ensure it provides a high-quality golf experience.
Highlights: The 11th hole, a par-4 named “Alps,” requires an accurate drive before a blind approach to a hidden green nestled between dunes. It’s a classic nod to Old Tom Morris’s design style and is both challenging and fun.
The stunning views of the Dornoch Firth and surrounding hills are present throughout the course, creating an unforgettable backdrop to your game.
Insider Tip: Tain is less than a 20-minute drive from Royal Dornoch, making it a fantastic addition to any Highlands golf itinerary. After your round, enjoy a meal at the clubhouse, where you can relax and soak in the Highland scenery while recounting your day on the course.
Planning A Trip TO SCOTLAND’S LESS WELL KNOWN GEMS
Exploring Scotland’s less well known golf gems is as much about the journey as the destination. Many of these courses are located in remote or lesser-visited regions, giving you the chance to soak in Scotland’s stunning landscapes and local culture along the way.
Here are some tips for planning your trip:
• Transportation: Renting a car is essential for reaching these out-of-the-way courses, especially in the Highlands or islands.
• Accommodations: Look for our accommodation partners, charming bed-and-breakfasts, boutique hotels, or self-catering properties near your chosen courses.
• Packing: Prepare for all weather conditions, as Scotland’s climate can change quickly… layered clothing and waterproofs are a must.
• Timing: Many of these courses are quieter during weekdays and shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), offering a more relaxed experience.
Scotland’s less well known golf courses prove that you don’t need to play the most famous layouts to have an unforgettable experience. From the rugged coastlines of Crail and Machrihanish to the charming quirks of Shiskine, these underrated courses offer the perfect blend of challenge, beauty, and authenticity.
So next time you plan a golfing trip to Scotland, step off the beaten path and discover the true heart of Scottish golf, you won’t be disappointed.