It can sometimes be the case that you don’t expect much from a golf course in Scotland, and then it surprises you with simply how good it is.
This is especially true for those that are being played by someone for the first time. With over 30 experts giving us their opinions on the best courses in Scotland, and with many of them playing at plenty of venues for the first time, there were bound to be some surprises.
As someone that likes links golf, you might well be surprised by the level of a particular heathland or moorland course, and by how much you enjoyed your afternoon in between the trees.
Take a look at which of these Scottish courses pleasantly surprised our panellists. Would you agree with their thoughts?
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Which Scottish courses pleasantly surprised our panellists?
Peter Rudd: Ladybank – heathland golf is not usually associated with Scotland, so it was surprising to find a course of this quality so close to St. Andrews.
Jim Banting: Portpatrick
Craig Redston: The Glen really took me by surprise. Some mega holes and views to match.
David Elliott: Without a shadow of a doubt… Elie.
Ed Battye: Kilmalcolm – a delightful course with a great variety of holes.
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Hugh Masson: St Andrews Fairmont, Torrance. There are a few taboos in St Andrews. One is to say the Torrance is a good course. It’s strong in many areas.
Steve Watton: Cullen
Paul Watson: Ranfurly Castle. A course I’d never heard of before. A revelation. A beautiful moorland course full of surprises and views of Glasgow and its surroundings.
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Lewis Marr: Kilspindie was a lot of fun.
Michael Atkinson: Dunaverty. It is often overlooked as a result of the nearby more famous Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes, but Dunaverty has extraordinary views and some wonderfully quirky holes.
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A number of great Scottish courses received multiple nods from our panel!
Phil Bedford: Tain
Greg Webber: Tain had previously gone under my radar, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would go back without hesitation.
Jim Marshall: Lanark – some wonderful holes, and the greens were exceptional at the height of summer.
Andi White: Lanark – tucked away in Lanarkshire, the world’s oldest inland course. Fantastic condition, a great variety of holes.
Chris Myatt: West Linton exceeded my expectations the most, but playing The Machrie is my favourite ‘find’ of 2025.
David Walker: West Linton – I had minimal expectation, but the course lived up to its motto “cherish the good turf”, which was outstanding even in late September.
David Fox: Southerness Golf Club. It’s deceptively modest length hides a fierce links with relentless long par 4s, gorse-lined fairways and dramatic views over the Solway Firth.
Charles Abraham: Southerness – improving all the time
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And even some of the country’s biggest names were nice surprises for our panel…
Ian Woods: Royal Musselburgh. Last-minute decision to play, but the warmth of the welcome in the pro shop, and the condition of the course was a delight – and it’s at its best in the closing holes.
Neil White: Nairn. I didn’t know why I hadn’t enjoyed it previously, but I thought it was fabulous this time.
Oliver Baker: Dumbarnie
Stu Bennett: The Kings Course at Gleneagles – wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow, what fantastic condition, and it didn’t have the corporate feel I expected.
Michael Verity: Western Gailes
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Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
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Now have your say
Which courses on our NCG Top 100s: Scotland list have you played and were surprised by how good they were? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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