Welcome
Central Scotland
THE area of Scotland in which the
game was born has just given birth to a new addition. The long-awaited
opening of the Castle Course at St Andrews is approaching and bookings
are already being taken for tee times between June 28 to October 31.
Get off the mark early and YOU could be one of the first to play this
spectacular clifftop layout.
The Castle will be the seventh course under the St Andrews Links Trust umbrella and designer David McLay Kidd has transformed featureless farmland into a typically Scottish links-like course that will play between around 5,300-7,200 yards with a choice of five tees. The pick of the holes is likely to be the 17th (pictured opposite), a spectacular par three of over 200 yards which is all carry over rocks and gorse, forming part of The Brays coastline, which is designated as a SSSI.
An enormous double green is shared by the 18th and the 9th, allowing easy access to the clubhouse and a 19th hole has also been created between the 12th and 15th to allow course officials to take one hole out of play as and when they choose. To book a tee time visit www.standrews.org.uk.
Balbirnie Park is a championship-standard woodland and parkland course set in a peaceful environment just a short drive from St Andrews. With the nearest signs of life being the town of Markinch, the rolling terrain of feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life thanks to the views that extend over flowing hillock lines and tree groupings on a grand scale to create vistas with a contrasting enclosure.
A degree of accuracy is required to master the layout, and the signature 18th is one of the most attractive closing holes around with a reachable par five crossed by two scenic bridges. It's certainly a great choice for the keen golfer looking to play a well-manicured course in Scotland's historic heartland of Fife.
Crieff is only an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow and is situated at the gateway to the Highlands. Surrounded by Perth's breathtaking rural scenery, it provides a rare feeling of escape. With Gleneagles only 10 minutes away and St Andrews, Carnoustie and Blairgowrie only an hour's journey, Crieff is an ideal base for a golfing tour.
Built on gently sloping parkland, once the grounds of Ferntower House, Crieff's two courses provide a fair, yet challenging experience for all levels of players. The Ferntower, which measures 6,427 yards, has hosted the Scottish Boys and Youth Strokeplay Championships and has served as a venue for the PGA Scottish Championship qualifier. Shorter but still testing is the nine-hole Dornock, ideal for a quick round or as part of a 36-hole package.
There are very few clubs that can hold claim to have been opened by a former American President, but Charleton has that auspicious honour when George W. Bush Snr paid a visit in 1994.
"From the minute I drove up to the wonderful Charleton course I was made to feel welcome and at home", said the former president, but that welcome has also been extended to every visitor since. Part of the historic Charleton Estate, the parkland course benefits from an idyllic location at the very heart of the Home of Golf in the Kingdom of Fife.
Spectacular views of the Firth of Forth, huge and well-contoured greens, expansive fairways and open nature encourage all standards of golfer with what is a remarkably fair test. The signature 17th is called "Ha Ha" for good reason as the green is guarded by no lesser a hazard than a stone wall. Founded in 1902, Tulliallan is one of the oldest clubs in central Scotland and is set in woodland adjacent to the Tulliallan Estate with scenic views of the River Forth, Ochil Hills and the Forth Valley.
A hilly parkland course with a par of 69, measuring out at 5,965 yards, it has tree-lined fairways with a burn that meanders throughout the course and features on eight of the 18 holes. Tulliallan is renowned for its true greens and one of the standout holes includes the long par-three 4th named Windy Hill. At 210 yards you must find a true strike early in your round, while out of bounds lurks on the last two holes to trip you up at the final hurdle.
If you fancy a trying something out of the ordinary, be sure to head for Perth and King James VI. It is the country's only self-contained river island course. Designed by Old Tom Morris over a century ago, it is a delightful tree-lined parkland course and water is a regular feature.
In and around the amazing city of Glasgow, look our for Shotts and Bishopbriggs to slake your thirst for golf. Both offer excellent value for money and a warm welcome is guaranteed to all who visit. Gifford is home to a beautiful nine-hole course, situated on the edge of the historic East Lothian village of Gifford a short 30-minute drive from Edinburgh.
The Castle will be the seventh course under the St Andrews Links Trust umbrella and designer David McLay Kidd has transformed featureless farmland into a typically Scottish links-like course that will play between around 5,300-7,200 yards with a choice of five tees. The pick of the holes is likely to be the 17th (pictured opposite), a spectacular par three of over 200 yards which is all carry over rocks and gorse, forming part of The Brays coastline, which is designated as a SSSI.
An enormous double green is shared by the 18th and the 9th, allowing easy access to the clubhouse and a 19th hole has also been created between the 12th and 15th to allow course officials to take one hole out of play as and when they choose. To book a tee time visit www.standrews.org.uk.
Balbirnie Park is a championship-standard woodland and parkland course set in a peaceful environment just a short drive from St Andrews. With the nearest signs of life being the town of Markinch, the rolling terrain of feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life thanks to the views that extend over flowing hillock lines and tree groupings on a grand scale to create vistas with a contrasting enclosure.
A degree of accuracy is required to master the layout, and the signature 18th is one of the most attractive closing holes around with a reachable par five crossed by two scenic bridges. It's certainly a great choice for the keen golfer looking to play a well-manicured course in Scotland's historic heartland of Fife.
Crieff is only an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow and is situated at the gateway to the Highlands. Surrounded by Perth's breathtaking rural scenery, it provides a rare feeling of escape. With Gleneagles only 10 minutes away and St Andrews, Carnoustie and Blairgowrie only an hour's journey, Crieff is an ideal base for a golfing tour.
Built on gently sloping parkland, once the grounds of Ferntower House, Crieff's two courses provide a fair, yet challenging experience for all levels of players. The Ferntower, which measures 6,427 yards, has hosted the Scottish Boys and Youth Strokeplay Championships and has served as a venue for the PGA Scottish Championship qualifier. Shorter but still testing is the nine-hole Dornock, ideal for a quick round or as part of a 36-hole package.
There are very few clubs that can hold claim to have been opened by a former American President, but Charleton has that auspicious honour when George W. Bush Snr paid a visit in 1994.
"From the minute I drove up to the wonderful Charleton course I was made to feel welcome and at home", said the former president, but that welcome has also been extended to every visitor since. Part of the historic Charleton Estate, the parkland course benefits from an idyllic location at the very heart of the Home of Golf in the Kingdom of Fife.
Spectacular views of the Firth of Forth, huge and well-contoured greens, expansive fairways and open nature encourage all standards of golfer with what is a remarkably fair test. The signature 17th is called "Ha Ha" for good reason as the green is guarded by no lesser a hazard than a stone wall. Founded in 1902, Tulliallan is one of the oldest clubs in central Scotland and is set in woodland adjacent to the Tulliallan Estate with scenic views of the River Forth, Ochil Hills and the Forth Valley.
A hilly parkland course with a par of 69, measuring out at 5,965 yards, it has tree-lined fairways with a burn that meanders throughout the course and features on eight of the 18 holes. Tulliallan is renowned for its true greens and one of the standout holes includes the long par-three 4th named Windy Hill. At 210 yards you must find a true strike early in your round, while out of bounds lurks on the last two holes to trip you up at the final hurdle.
If you fancy a trying something out of the ordinary, be sure to head for Perth and King James VI. It is the country's only self-contained river island course. Designed by Old Tom Morris over a century ago, it is a delightful tree-lined parkland course and water is a regular feature.
In and around the amazing city of Glasgow, look our for Shotts and Bishopbriggs to slake your thirst for golf. Both offer excellent value for money and a warm welcome is guaranteed to all who visit. Gifford is home to a beautiful nine-hole course, situated on the edge of the historic East Lothian village of Gifford a short 30-minute drive from Edinburgh.
Set in rolling parkland, with the Lammermuir Hills as a scenic backdrop, the course is rewarding for both novices and handicappers. A number of facilities are available, including changing rooms, showers and trolley and buggy hire. Bar snacks and light meals are also available.
Just outside the nation's capital is Liberton, a rolling parkland layout that features tight fairways and small, well-guarded greens. Visitors are assured of a warm welcome at a club that is conveniently located in the south-east outskirts of Edinburgh.
Gullane has been a home of golf for over 300 years and with three courses to play, there are very few places that can match the history and quality that is tucked away in this little corner of East Lothian. Probably Britain's greatest golfing village.
The No 1 course is the most famous of the trio having hosted Open Qualifying on six occasions. Those who have experienced this treasure will be left with fond memories of the 3rd and 7th holes in particular, where you are rewarded with views across the links in all its glory and sea views towards Edinburgh and across the Firth of Forth to Fife.
But Gullane does not begin and end with No 1. The two other courses are also worth a visit in their own right with No 2 only 200 yards shorter, and a few pounds cheaper, which represents great value. It too has hosted Open Qualifying and runs alongside No.1 for the first seven holes and then sweeps down to the nature reserve next to Aberlady Bay, before turning back towards the visitors' clubhouse.
Last but not least, No 3 is generally regarded as a hidden gem where accuracy is tested over power. Best of all, visit at any time of the year and you will find full tees and greens in operation. The highest compliment one can pay Whitekirk, located just off the A1 between North Berwick and Dunbar, is that it really doesn't look out of place among some esteemed East Lothian company.
Part of the scenery for little more than a decade, the intriguing blend of heathland, parkland and linksland looks like it could have been here for a hundred years. Grassy fairways, rocky outcrops, lines of pine trees and banks or gorse and heather define the shape of each hole.
The 5th is perhaps the course signature and requires a carry of around 150 yards to find a landing area before a daunting strike across a deep ravine. It's called Cameron's Test after the course architect and it's easy to see why. With full tees and greens in play year-round, visitors should be sure to call in to whet their appetite for the fabulous golf that awaits in East Lothian.
Whether you are combining a city break with a golf trip, or just concentrating on the wondrous courses of East Lothian, the Kings Manor Hotel in Edinburgh is perfect for every occasion. Located in the eastern suburbs of Edinburgh, this family-run hotel is ideal for the intrepid golfer who wants to spice up their trip with a visit to Scotland's capital and take in the history, culture and nightlife of a buzzing city. Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick et al are all just a short drive away.
The Rossborough, in Dunbar, is a landmark hotel that having undergoing extensive renovation, has been sympathetic to the 1902 elegance and charm of the Edwardian period. The 19 en-suite bedrooms, that comprise of singles, doubles, twin and family rooms, are all well equipped and will provide peaceful nights sleep while Ritchie's Restaurant can cater for every taste.
The Rossborough Hotel can also arrange tee-off times at 19 courses in East Lothian and Eyemouth in the Borders Region including Gullane, Muirfield and Royal Musselburgh.
Factfile
Thornton Golf Club 01592771111
Newbattle 0131 663 1819
Forfar 01307 465683
Machrihanish 01586 810213
Gourock Golf Club 01475 636834
Liberton 0131 664 3009
King James VI 01738 445 132
Crieff 01764 652 909
Charleton 01333 340 505
Whitekirk 01620 870 300
Best Western Kings Manor Hotel 0131 669 0444
Lundin Links Hotel 01333 320207
Shotts 01501 822658
Gullane 01620 842255
Bishopbriggs 0141 7721810
Balbirnie Park 01592 752006
Levin Links 01333 428859
Dunbar 01368 862317
The Rossborough Hotel 01368 862356
Tulliallan 01259 730798
Castle Course 01334 466 666
