golf trip to Scotland
 

We're planning a 10-day golf/hiking/sightseeing trip to Scotland in June, 2009, and are particularly interested in smaller courses in scenic spots. Any suggestions?

I don't know where you're going in Scotland but Machrihanish Golf club is pretty scenic but remote
http://www.machgolf.com

Geordie

Absolutely Machrihanish, plus Cruden Bay. Unfortunately, they are on absolute opposite sides of the country.

http://www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk/

But you definitely will not have any trouble finding great courses - they are <u>everywhere</u>

Heck I once stayed in a rental cottage that had a 9 hole course at the bottom of the garden.

Assuming you will at least be visiting St Andrews, there are several nice courses along the Forth.

http://www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk/
http://www.lundingolfclub.co.uk/

and several others

Are you planning on playing any of the &quot;Biggies&quot;? If so - other than the Old Course, some of the best are Royal Dornoch (absolutely terrific and the fave of most of the golfers I've taken to Scotland), Carnoustie (especially if you have a masochistic side :) ), Prestwick and Troon.

I second Prestwick- the most fascinating golf experience I've ever had. Home of the Open Championship, absolutely wonderful. If you are on the west coast of Scotland, you have to play there. My wife and I also stayed and played at Turnberry, which is wonderful too, but a completely different experience- major resort style. Prestwick is an absolute must IMO.

St Andrews? Fun town and beautiful even if you don't golf!

Another vote for Carnoustie. We went to the Open there last year and the courses and countryside there are beautiful.

One of the most scenic courses is Rosemount in the town of Blairgowrie. It is well worth a visit. If you are around Edinburgh, try Longniddry in the village of the same name. It is some 10 miles SE of Edinburgh. In the same area are Gullane and North Berwick, all very good courses. To be honest, Carnoustie is not worth the money. I am told that it is well over 100 pounds for a round. Royal Dornach and the other &quot;biggies&quot; are similarly priced

almcd: &quot;<i>To be honest, Carnoustie is not worth the money. I am told that it is well over 100 pounds for a round. Royal Dornach and the other &quot;biggies&quot; are similarly priced</i>&quot;

Costs are relative. Even though Royal Dornoch, Carnoustie, the Old Course, Troon, Prestwick etc are &quot;pricey&quot; - a round on any of them costs a fraction a round on most top courses in the States.

Even w/ the bad exchange rate. for example, a round on Pebble Beach costs about $500 plus caddie or cart. If one stays at the hotel you get the cart for free - but the cheapest room runs about $700. So in the grand scheme of things, golf on the world famous courses in Scotland is a bargain.

Betsey, it's difficult to answer your question becuase almost every town - hell, every VILLAGE- has its own wee course. My favourites are just that, my own predilections. But they include:-

Colonsay
Machrie, Islay
Broadford
Aboyne
Braemar
Craigie Hill
The King's Course
Cruden Bay

The last two could never be described as &quot;smaller&quot; but they are fantastic

The King's course at Gleneagles is wonderful. Too bad they can't have the Ryder Cup on that course in 2014.

Lundin Links is scenic and cheaper. And I always like to mention the North Berwick west course which is a hoot.

But these may all be a bit more expensive than you were thinking.

another vote for Cruden Bay.

also loved Royal Dornoch.


best advice I got: walk 18 your first day off the plane. Best way to avoid jetlag is to get fresh air and it feels great to swing those clubs and be active. We chose a smaller course just to get the feel of it...

have fun!

The OP hasn't been back - maybe she forgot she posted this . . . .