Our panel have played the best Scottish courses ahead of compiling the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list – but which finishing hole made them want to go back round again?
You always want to finish a round of golf on a high note, and making a birdie on a dramatic finisher is just about the best way to do so, right?
What makes a great finishing hole, though? Is it the risk-reward nature of a short par 4, or the possibility of going for it in two on a par 5? Or is it the notoriety of the hole thanks to its history?
What do our panellists think? A number of venues received several nominations, but which finishing hole in Scotland do our panellists believe is the best?
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What is the best finishing hole in Scotland, according to our panel?
It’s hard to look past the ‘Home of Golf’! With the Swilcan Bridge, a hotspot for thousands of tourists and golfers, and the out of bounds up the right, everyone wants the opportunity to play that hole.
Michael Verity: Hard to see past the final hole at the Old Course. Gives everyone a chance regardless of standard. Just such a meaningful, sacred place of the game.
Phil Bedford: Old Course
Craig Morrison: The 18th at the Old. All across Scotland, those holes that play back into towns are deeply satisfying, and this is the shortest, sweetest, most important of them all.
Paul Watson: Hole 18 The Old Course. The vista is unbeatable. A huge amount of room to the left but the fear of OOB right is still palpable.
Ian Woods: The 18th at St. Andrews. Okay, it is not the most demanding test – but when are you ever going to have that many strangers watching to witness your folly or your glory?
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Michael Atkinson: The 18th of the Old Course, St Andrews. Walking in the footsteps of golfing giants. The temptation to try and drive the green. The potential for calamity with many often watching!
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The last holes at Muirfield and Moray were also firm favourites…
Peter Rudd: Hole 18 at Muirfield – a well-bunkered and challenging closing hole that has seen much drama over the years.
Dove Jones: 18th Muirfield
Jim Marshall: No. 18 at Muirfield. Magical.
Stu Bennett: Moray Old, challenging tee shot and then uphill to the large, elevated green with the members watching from the clubhouse behind.
Oliver Baker: Moray Old.
Steve Watton: Moray Old.
Greg Webber: 18th at Moray Old – the green is elevated and set in an amphitheatre, which enhances the drama of the approach shot.
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A few more Scottish venues received their due praise for having an enthralling finale.
David Fox: Castle Stuart – 18th, a dramatic downhill par 5 overlooking the Moray Firth, framed by a stunning clubhouse and bunkers guarding the green.
Jim Banting: North Berwick – any score is possible.
Chris Myatt: The closing hole at Skibo Castle is absolutely stunning and tempts you to be brave off the tee and with your second shot.
Hugh Masson: The 18th at Castle Stuart.
Charles Abraham: The 18th at Carnoustie.
Ed Battye: Durness – a mid iron over a rocky, vertigo-inducing inlet to a green sat perilously close to the edge of the cliffs.
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David Elliott: Having only played a couple of dozen courses in Scotland, Loch Lomond probably takes the honour of the best closing hole I have played. Risk and reward drive, challenging green. Enjoyable terror!
Chris Griffiths: 18th at North Berwick. Loved it!
David Walkr: Leven – closing holes should create drama, and a 460-yard hole with a wide-angle burn to navigate certainly provides this.
Neil White: Trump International – one of the most challenging I can recall.
Andi White: Dumbarnie – this is a dogleg par four that finishes in front of the clubhouse. There is an elevated green which demands a high, perfect shot to ensure it doesn’t roll back to your feet.
Lewis Marr: Carnoustie Championship.
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Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
NOW READ: What is the best opening hole in Scotland?
NOW READ: What is the best hole in Scotland? – COMING SOON
Now have your say
Would you agree with our panellists? What do you think is the best finishing hole in Scotland? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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