Where To Next - Gailes

5 MINS

“Just north of Royal Troon lies a contemporary triumvirate of courses in an area known as Gailes, the old Scots word for the leafy bog-myrtle and indicating that the surrounding hinterland of the links had some extensive damp patches.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing The Old Course

5 MINS

“ What’s special about the Old Course? Is it the sense of history as you stand on the first tee? The proximity to the warm, toffee-coloured sandstone of the imposing R&A Clubhouse just behind you or, glancing left, the huge estate of the 18th green and the Valley of Sin, now much deeper than it looks on television? It’s all of these, and more.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Turnberry

5 MINS

“ The Ailsa’s opening holes are tough. After being greeted at the white wooden Starter’s Hut a prevailing wind in your face at the first tee will immediately ask questions about whether you practiced enough at The Academy before walking round to here, past the huge clubhouse and the golfers finishing their rounds on the 18th green.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Carnoustie

5 MINS

“ The Championship Links has a prestigious pedigree. Shaped by the hands of Robertson, Morris and Braid they delivered a course which was Open-worthy in 1926. Known today as 'golf's greatest test' but colloquially as Carnasty, the Carnoustie Golf Links Championship course is famous for its burns, OOB and its 112 world-famous bunkers.

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Royal Troon

5 MINS

“ Royal Troon starts flat and a fair test of golf, but rises to bring you back full of respect for a magnificently designed course and the ability of those who have conquered its fairways and greens.

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Muirfield

5 MINS

“ Across the sea of wafting grasses there are glimpses of the course’s 150 revetted bunkers, some 200 less than Harry S Colt’s 1925 design. They are some of golf’s best. Avoiding them, and the rough, are what makes accurate play at Muirfield essential.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Musselburgh Links

5 MINS

“ Musselburgh Links, The Old Course is unique, and as one of the original Open Championship courses is virtually untouched by visitors. It is highly accessible and can be played for less than the cost of a bottle of house wine in any restaurant of choice after the game.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Playing Prestwick

5 MINS

“What you notice very quickly is that you can’t always see where you’re hitting to. Prestwick is gifted with high dune complexes and rolling, hummocked fairways which make accuracy essential and reward the repeatable swing.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Where To Next - Dunbar

5 MINS

“Overlooked by the town of Dunbar, just like St Andrews and North Berwick do their own courses, the East Links is mostly squeezed into a narrow strip of land between the exposed beach, spray-covered rocks and The Wall.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Where To Next - Golspie

5 MINS

“When James Braid was in the prime of his course designs in 1926 it would have taken him some time to reach Golspie from Fife. It’s much quicker now to reach this town on the North Coast 500, readily accessible by road and rail.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Scotland's Less Obvious Trail

4 MINS

“Less obvious are those venues that perhaps lack the profile of championship challengers but offer a superb golfing experience, often at a fraction of the cost. They are venues much-loved, with rich histories and quality holes, certainly deserving of a visit on this Trail.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Honest and Short Trail

4 MINS

“Is there anything more delightful in golf than a quick nine holes on a sunny evening in the company of friends? Short form golf on a wee gem of a course as the sun sets with conversation freely flowing. It’s pure bliss.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Inner City Golf Trail

4 MINS

“While Scotland’s famed championship links act as a persuasive pull for so many, city golf is notable too. Indeed, the highest concentrations of golf courses in Scotland are around Glasgow (over 90 courses) and the capital city of Edinburgh (over 65 courses).”

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ArticlesAllan Minto
Get Crafty Trail

4 MINS

“With more than 100 breweries operating across the country, the options are almost as plentiful as the golf courses, well almost. From hoppy pale ales to refreshing lagers to golden ales and strong stouts, take your pick. Gin is also growing in popularity in Scotland, with choices aplenty too.”

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ArticlesAllan Minto