The best thing about Gailes bar none is the land it occupies. Located on hallowed Ayrshire links land, there are very few parts of Britain that boast turf better for golf than here.
Murcar offers realism and a sense of proportion. As is so often the case with true links courses, it improves with each round played.
Ladybank is a course to tease into submission rather than overpower; if you stray off the mainly flat fairways, expect to be punished for your sins.
Anywhere else in the world and the Jubilee would be a star attraction. At St Andrews it sits in the shadow of its glamorous neighbours. Do yourself a favour and play the Jubilee.
The finishing touches to the Archerfield Fidra were only made in 2004, yet this piece of prime East Lothian land already boasts more history than almost any course in the world.
Old Tom Morris created the Balcomie, so its design is governed by the natural lie of the land, seeing plenty of holes play right up against the North Sea. It’s a breathtaking experience.
Tall dunes and sand hills feature heavily on this par-70 design, as do the undulating fairways that throw up different challenges on every hole.
It is not a Turnberry, a Troon or a Prestwick, but West Kilbride deserves elevation to the second tier alongside Irvine, Barassie and the Gailes.
Askernish runs parallel to the coastline of the Isle of South Uist and follows an anti-clockwise path from start to finish. Quite simply, it is a must-visit.
At first glance it seems impossible that 18 holes have been squeezed into this piece of land to the cost of the layout but they have and it is a genuine treat.
