published: Apr 24, 2026

NCG Top 100s: Scotland – What is the best hole in Scotland?

Matt Coles

There are so many amazing holes in Scotland, but which do our panellists think are the best?

The 17th hole on Old Course at St Andrews | Source: St Andrews Links

Our panel have played plenty of courses ahead of compiling the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list – but what do they think is the best hole?

When talking about the best holes that the country has to offer, what gets taken into account? What do our panellists look for?

Is it sand dunes, heather, or even the appearance of water that makes a great hole? Or is it the topography of the land and the subtle undulations you will face as you play it?

But what do our panellists think? There are over 550 golf courses in Scotland, so there are plenty to choose from.

**The 3rd hole on the Old Course at Trump International, Scotland | Source: Trump International, Scotland**

What is the best hole in Scotland, according to our panel?

David Fox: Castle Stuart – 3rd. A superb short par 4 offering endless options off the tee, dotted with quirky bunkers and a sloped green framed by the Moray Firth along the right.

Ian Woods: 14th at Cruden Bay. I don’t normally like blind shots into greens – especially when playing for the first time. But the layout and the proximity to the sea make this unforgettable.

Greg Webber: For sheer fun value, the 9th at Covesea. Only 100 yards long but played to a tiny, saddle-shaped green, which sits at an angle.

Chris Myatt: The new 7th hole at Royal Dornoch. An infinity green visible from the tee with gorse flanking the fairway and views across the Dornoch Firth.

**The 14th hole on the Championship Course at Cruden Bay | Source: Cruden Bay**

Hugh Masson: The 3rd at Murcar. Plenty of options with the double fairway, but none are easy! The terrain can be friend or foe on the approach, and bunkers await.

Ed Battye: Askernish (9th) – the ultimate in options, strategy, beauty and challenge.

Neil White: Turnberry Ailsa‘s ninth – the lighthouse, the gorge, the drama.

Charles Abraham: The Postage Stamp at Royal Troon – shows that par 3s don’t have to be long.

The iconic 8th hole at Royal Troon, the 'Postage Stamp' | Source: Royal Troon — **The iconic 8th hole at Royal Troon, the ‘Postage Stamp’ | Source: Royal Troon**

A number of venues received the plaudits from our panel, all for different holes…

Paul Watson: Hole 14 Carnoustie “Spectacles”. I love it for its risk and reward nature, and weirdly, because it has never been kind to me yet!!

David Walker: 6th Carnoustie

Michael Verity: 12th at Muirfield. Understated, strategic brilliance. An ideal hole

Jim Marshall: No. 18 at Muirfield – it is just magical

Lewis Marr: 2nd hole at North Berwick.

Chris Griffiths: 15th at North Berwick

Craig Redston: Any of the last six at North Berwick would do

Oliver Baker: 14th North Berwick

**The 15th hole at North Berwick | Source: North Berwick**

And some holes received multiple mentions…

Jim Banting: 10th at Turnberry – amazing use of the coastal features

Peter Rudd: Hole 10 Turnberry – a long and difficult par 5 with incredible sea views as a backdrop

Stu Bennett: 14th at Royal Dornoch (Championship), A draw from the tee and then a high fade to the wonderful plateau green.

Steve Watton: 14th Royal Dornoch

Craig Morrison: Foxy – Royal Dornoch

**The 10th hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry | Source: Trump Turnberry**

It will come as no surprise that some of our panellists agreed on an infamous par-four as the best hole in Scotland.

Michael Atkinson: The 17th of the Old Course, St Andrews. Intimidating with the drive over the railway sheds, the infamous bunker, the road, and the wall. Iconic.

Andi White: St Andrews – Road Hole 17 over the hotel. It needs nerve and accuracy. Fantastic.

David Elliott: Again, the “Road Hole” probably has to take that title. For all the reasons mentioned above, plus the iconic thoughts, memories and conversations it provokes.

Phil Bedford: 17th Old Course

**The 17th green on Old Course at St Andrews | Source: St Andrews Links**

Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast

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Now have your say

Would you agree with our panellists? What do you think is the best hole in Scotland? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!

About the author

Matt Coles

Mention a European country, and Matt will tell you which resorts make the National Club Golfer Top 100s: European Resorts list. He might even throw in who designed the golf course and how many rooms the hotel has got at each one…

Matt got into the game of golf from a young age, following his old man to the local golf club. He fell for the sport, and now can’t seem to go a day without thinking about how to improve his game (Thanks Dad!). Matt has been a member of Howley Hall GC in Leeds since 2020, and is just about managing to maintain a single-figure handicap. He likes to remind people that he once broke 75, but won’t tell people that it was on a shortened course during the winter.

He moved to Leeds after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class Honours degree in Sports Journalism. Matt joined NCG after almost five years travelling the world with the Professional Squash Association, working on events in all four corners of the globe.

Matt currently plays a Cobra King LTDx driver and RadSpeed 3-wood. TaylorMade monopolise the rest of his bag, with a SIM UDI, M5 irons and both Milled Grind and HI-TOE wedges, along with a Monza Redline putter. He uses a Vice Pro Plus golf ball, because he’s a bit different…

Away from golf, Matt is a Manchester United fan, and a keen runner, having ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (his first and possibly last), in May 2023.

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