Course Guide
FTH 2023
Guide to the Scottish Highlands Courses
5 of Scotland's Top Courses
The New Course (St. Andrews) I Castle Course (St. Andrews) I Crail
Gleneagles King’s Course I Elie
St. Andrews - The New Course
#27 – Top 100 Best Courses in Scotland
The “New” Course of St Andrews is hardly new. Over 100 years old, The New Course is one of the finest golf courses in the world today. Why the name? The St Andrews Trust came up with the name merely to distinguish it from the “Old” Course. The oldest ‘new’ course in the world, the second course at the Home of Golf was built by the Keeper of the Green, Tom Morris in 1895 and it was imaginatively named to differentiate from its famous neighbor.
Were it not for the proximity of its more illustrious and ancient neighbor, many experts feel that the Open Championships – as well as many other major golfing events – would have been fought out here, the world’s oldest and most challenging ‘new’ course. It may be relatively new, but it has an extraordinary reputation for excellence.
Gleneagles King's Course
#16 - Top 100 Best Golf Courses in the Scotland
The King’s Course at Gleneagles is a masterpiece of design and has tested the aristocracy of golf both professional and amateur. It is truly one of the world’s most beautiful and exhilarating places to play the game. As you step onto the springy moorland turf, you’ll enjoy the sweeping panoramic views from every tee on The King’s Course. There are craggy, rock-faced mountains to the north and rolling green hills to the south. The ancient peaks of the Trossachs and Ben Vorlich loom on the western horizon, all of which provide even more drama to an unforgettable venue.
Nowhere gives you the chance to pit yourself against James Braid’s design mind in quite as gloriously serene a setting as Gleneagles King’s course. His Perthshire masterpiece enjoys quite simply one of the most beautiful settings for golf in the UK&I. Scotland’s number one inland course is designed to play like an inward links with tightly cut fairways that are now 40 per cent wider while a new tee on the final hole stretches its yardage to 555. There’s the odd blind shot around a number of breathtaking backdrops.
It’s a must-play.
St. Andrews – The Castle Course
#29 - Top 100 Best Golf Courses in the Scotland
At 6,759 yards and par 71, The Castle Course is the latest addition to St Andrews Links.
Opened in 2008 by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the Castle Course is the seventh course at the world-famous home of golf, and a welcome addition to the biggest public golfing complex in Europe.
The Castle Course sits on a rugged cliff top and delivers spectacular views across the
North Sea, Angus coast and spectacular Grampian mountain range. And it delivers an exceptional golfing experience. If you’re up for a tricky challenge, it’s perfect – Today’s Golfer magazine nominated the 17th hole Britain’s most spectacular par 3.
ELIE
#33 – Best Course in Northern Scotland
Elie is one of the most highly regarded courses in Scotland and the historic links terrain effortlessly combines undulating fairways with large, fast, and firm greens.
It also has some sensational views for golfers to enjoy and these play an important part in creating what is one of the most wonderful golfing experiences not just in Fife, but also in Scotland.
At 6,273 yards the course is not long, but its bunkers are beautifully placed to catch those that stray offline or misjudge their distances.
This can be all too easy to do, especially as the prevailing south westerly breeze slackens or stiffens during the course of a round.
Crail
#61 – The 100 Best Golf Courses in Scotland
Crail Balcomie Links is one of the best-kept secrets in golf, the world’s seventh-oldest golfing club, the favorite of a host of golfers, with a loyal and devoted following. Expect an unusual golf course, a seriously testing game, a roaring gale much of the time, and plenty of terrifyingly tricky tees.
When you walk the splendid Crail Balcomie Links, you’re following in the footsteps of thousands of golfers over the last two centuries. Balcomie is a beautiful course, not too long yet full of interest with magnificent views of the sea from every tee.