Welcome
A love of links
Dunbar
ONE of the most under-rated aspects of what makes a truly great golf
course, in my view, is the quality of turf. Dunbar knows few peers in
this regard.
Tight, sandy turf that is a joy to strike the ball off covers every inch of this fabulous links and indeed it almost felt sacreligious to use cavity-back irons. I should have been armed with some gleaming blades from the 1970s for this is golf as it was intended centuries ago unfussy, unpretentious and brilliant.
The start and finish is modest but the 16 holes in between are perfection personified if you are a lover of traditional, classy links. Chris Bertram
Brora
FIVE-TIMES Open champion James Braid would still recognise the links he redesigned in 1923. This is wild and beautiful country with mountains soaring in the distance and a classic out and back links design among the gorse, juniper and thyme.
Even with light rough and at no more than 6,110 yards, it is still no pushover. The wind changes and subtle fairway undulations will ensure players use every club in the bag.
And however one's game has been going, the elevated tee at the long 17th gives a real chance to open the shoulders on what is reckoned to be one of the very best driving holes in Scotland. One to return to again and again Steve Killick
Kingsbarns
SHOULD you ever be offered the opportunity to tackle this fabulous links, make sure you take it. More staggering than the views on every hole the sea is visible from everywhere except the 1st tee is the fact that it has only been open in its current set-up for the past eight years.
With accuracy, rather than length, at a premium this is a magnificent test of golf and, when the sun shines, is almost beyond equal. It is glorious testament to the fact links can be man-made and be very, very good Mark Townsend
Leven Links
THERE is nothing to say you won't make a few pars or even the occasional birdie at Leven but you can also expect a couple of blobs as well. One of the delights of playing here, apart from it being a top-class links, is that par fours range from the short 10th at 333 yards to the intimidating 18th, at 456 yards, that may just be the toughest closing hole in Scotland bar Carnoustie.
When it gets brown and fast in the summer, scoring well is not about power but controlling your ball. Brilliant fun and the type, character and price of golf that Scotland does better than anywhere in the world. Dan Murphy
Powfoot
FIVE par fours over 400 yards and only one par five make Powfoot, although only 6,255 yards, an exacting challenge. The front nine is classic, sweeping Scottish links, especially from the delightful shore-hugging 3rd to the 8th with possibly the most memorable hole on the course the short 7th.
Aptly named Sand Hole, a plethora of bunkers protect the small putting surface with gorse acting as a further defence. The back nine is more parkland in nature but the standard remains high. In short, a fabulous hidden gem that should be on everyone's must-play list. Add Southerness in and you have a lovely short break. Chris Bertram
Tain
THE spirit of old Tom Morris still sweeps along the fairways of Tain. Tucked away between the rambling cobbled streets of Scotland's oldest royal burgh and the gull-speckled beaches of the Dornoch Firth lies this most beguiling and compelling links.
Sadly missed by far too many visiting golfers keen to seek out the greater reputation of Nairn and Dornoch, Tain deserves admiration of its own. Old Tom was in his 70th year when he designed what are now the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 9th on the way out and 10, 14 15, 16 and the devilish "Black Bridge" 17th coming home to a most welcoming clubhouse.
A round here can be a treat or a torment but is invariably memorable. Steve Killick
Monifieth
THE great news for those of us who like to escape the masses on golfing breaks is that the coastline to the east of Dundee is packed with historic links courses but is an under-visited region. There is an almost unbroken thread of land that is home to the likes of Carnoustie and Panmure as well as Monifieth. Quintessentially Scottish, it is excellent value and you'll be round in three-and-a-half hours max. Dan Murphy
Moray
MORAY is one of those wonderfully modest Scottish links courses that seems to have little idea just how good or special it is. Genuinely appreciative of visitors, it is natural, unspoilt and the genuine article. The fairways wind between patches of whin and the greens gently rise and fall, making a chipping an art rather than a science.
The last hole is a cracker - long, tough and played to an elevated green in front of the regal clubhouse. Steve Killick
Lundin
SEPARATED by the width of a stone wall from Leven, Lundin is yet another must-play course on the Fife coast. About a half-hour drive from St Andrews, it is a regular Open qualifying venue and possesses a mix of links and inland-style holes.
Celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy called in for a game here last July during their Open preparations. Mark Townsend
Portpatrick
NOT strictly a links, more of a clifftop or seaside heathland. But when there is a danger of your ball ending up in the Irish Sea, I think it's very worthy of inclusion in this feature.
The pick of the holes begins at the start of the back nine with a short par four played down towards the sea. A beautiful short hole follows before my personal favourite, Dunskey, a magnificent par four that gloriously brings the sea back into view with your approach.
Many prefer the 13th, which is even more visually spectacular. Portpatrick takes a bit of getting to but it would be wise to make the effort. Chris Bertram
Crail
THERE are few finer views in golf than that from the clubhouse here. On a clear day you can see for miles to the end of the course and way beyond in one direction, while Carnoustie lies across the sea.
Downland rather than links in style, the fairways scale hills then sweep back down them. The drive from the 4th tee is certainly one highlight: aim as far across the bay as you dare to set up the shortest possible approach to the green. Dan Murphy
Machrie
ACCESSIBLE The Machrie is not unless you happen to live on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. But that is what makes a trip here so special.
It is possible to arrive by air or sea to an island best known for its whiskies. Almost 120 years old, this vintage links is packed with blind shots, hidden greens, subtle doglegs and rumpled fairways. It is a course you will never forget. Mark Townsend
Your favourite?
WE'VE told you what our favourites links courses in Scotland nowit's your turn. Tell us your particular hidden gem by the seaside by e-mailing http://letters@sportspub.co.uk
Tight, sandy turf that is a joy to strike the ball off covers every inch of this fabulous links and indeed it almost felt sacreligious to use cavity-back irons. I should have been armed with some gleaming blades from the 1970s for this is golf as it was intended centuries ago unfussy, unpretentious and brilliant.
The start and finish is modest but the 16 holes in between are perfection personified if you are a lover of traditional, classy links. Chris Bertram
Brora
FIVE-TIMES Open champion James Braid would still recognise the links he redesigned in 1923. This is wild and beautiful country with mountains soaring in the distance and a classic out and back links design among the gorse, juniper and thyme.
Even with light rough and at no more than 6,110 yards, it is still no pushover. The wind changes and subtle fairway undulations will ensure players use every club in the bag.
And however one's game has been going, the elevated tee at the long 17th gives a real chance to open the shoulders on what is reckoned to be one of the very best driving holes in Scotland. One to return to again and again Steve Killick
Kingsbarns
SHOULD you ever be offered the opportunity to tackle this fabulous links, make sure you take it. More staggering than the views on every hole the sea is visible from everywhere except the 1st tee is the fact that it has only been open in its current set-up for the past eight years.
With accuracy, rather than length, at a premium this is a magnificent test of golf and, when the sun shines, is almost beyond equal. It is glorious testament to the fact links can be man-made and be very, very good Mark Townsend
Leven Links
THERE is nothing to say you won't make a few pars or even the occasional birdie at Leven but you can also expect a couple of blobs as well. One of the delights of playing here, apart from it being a top-class links, is that par fours range from the short 10th at 333 yards to the intimidating 18th, at 456 yards, that may just be the toughest closing hole in Scotland bar Carnoustie.
When it gets brown and fast in the summer, scoring well is not about power but controlling your ball. Brilliant fun and the type, character and price of golf that Scotland does better than anywhere in the world. Dan Murphy
Powfoot
FIVE par fours over 400 yards and only one par five make Powfoot, although only 6,255 yards, an exacting challenge. The front nine is classic, sweeping Scottish links, especially from the delightful shore-hugging 3rd to the 8th with possibly the most memorable hole on the course the short 7th.
Aptly named Sand Hole, a plethora of bunkers protect the small putting surface with gorse acting as a further defence. The back nine is more parkland in nature but the standard remains high. In short, a fabulous hidden gem that should be on everyone's must-play list. Add Southerness in and you have a lovely short break. Chris Bertram
Tain
THE spirit of old Tom Morris still sweeps along the fairways of Tain. Tucked away between the rambling cobbled streets of Scotland's oldest royal burgh and the gull-speckled beaches of the Dornoch Firth lies this most beguiling and compelling links.
Sadly missed by far too many visiting golfers keen to seek out the greater reputation of Nairn and Dornoch, Tain deserves admiration of its own. Old Tom was in his 70th year when he designed what are now the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 9th on the way out and 10, 14 15, 16 and the devilish "Black Bridge" 17th coming home to a most welcoming clubhouse.
A round here can be a treat or a torment but is invariably memorable. Steve Killick
Monifieth
THE great news for those of us who like to escape the masses on golfing breaks is that the coastline to the east of Dundee is packed with historic links courses but is an under-visited region. There is an almost unbroken thread of land that is home to the likes of Carnoustie and Panmure as well as Monifieth. Quintessentially Scottish, it is excellent value and you'll be round in three-and-a-half hours max. Dan Murphy
Moray
MORAY is one of those wonderfully modest Scottish links courses that seems to have little idea just how good or special it is. Genuinely appreciative of visitors, it is natural, unspoilt and the genuine article. The fairways wind between patches of whin and the greens gently rise and fall, making a chipping an art rather than a science.
The last hole is a cracker - long, tough and played to an elevated green in front of the regal clubhouse. Steve Killick
Lundin
SEPARATED by the width of a stone wall from Leven, Lundin is yet another must-play course on the Fife coast. About a half-hour drive from St Andrews, it is a regular Open qualifying venue and possesses a mix of links and inland-style holes.
Celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy called in for a game here last July during their Open preparations. Mark Townsend
Portpatrick
NOT strictly a links, more of a clifftop or seaside heathland. But when there is a danger of your ball ending up in the Irish Sea, I think it's very worthy of inclusion in this feature.
The pick of the holes begins at the start of the back nine with a short par four played down towards the sea. A beautiful short hole follows before my personal favourite, Dunskey, a magnificent par four that gloriously brings the sea back into view with your approach.
Many prefer the 13th, which is even more visually spectacular. Portpatrick takes a bit of getting to but it would be wise to make the effort. Chris Bertram
Crail
THERE are few finer views in golf than that from the clubhouse here. On a clear day you can see for miles to the end of the course and way beyond in one direction, while Carnoustie lies across the sea.
Downland rather than links in style, the fairways scale hills then sweep back down them. The drive from the 4th tee is certainly one highlight: aim as far across the bay as you dare to set up the shortest possible approach to the green. Dan Murphy
Machrie
ACCESSIBLE The Machrie is not unless you happen to live on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. But that is what makes a trip here so special.
It is possible to arrive by air or sea to an island best known for its whiskies. Almost 120 years old, this vintage links is packed with blind shots, hidden greens, subtle doglegs and rumpled fairways. It is a course you will never forget. Mark Townsend
Your favourite?
WE'VE told you what our favourites links courses in Scotland nowit's your turn. Tell us your particular hidden gem by the seaside by e-mailing http://letters@sportspub.co.uk
