Why Scotland’s inland golf courses deserve a place on your golf trip

Scotland’s reputation as the home of links golf often overshadows another part of the game; inland golf courses.

These are courses set away from the coastline. In Scotland they are often traditional layouts that can be found rooted in local communities.

The NCG Top 100s Podcast host Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy believe inland courses north of the border are quietly offering some of the most authentic and rewarding golf experiences in the world.

Irwin and Murphy believe their affordability and value-for-money puts them ahead of their competition for a place on your next golf trip to the home of golf.

Equally, they touched on how these offerings in Scotland can be of moorland and highland nature.

“The pine trees, it’s not really heathland golf, it’s more of a moorland type of experience,” said Irwin. “Places like Forrest (Hills), places like Elgin, when you think of them you can almost smell the pinecones.

“Inland golf is a thing in Scotland. All anyone wants to do is go and play the big Championship links and if you think about the golf in Ireland, for example, there is a disparity between going to play at Tralee and the K Club, it’s not the same.

“Your inland golf in Ireland is predominantly parkland and a lot of it is new. Whereas in Scotland, a lot of the inland courses are unique and a brilliant experience.

“Places like Pitlochry are incredible, little, local courses that are just beautiful places to be and often have unbelievably good turf.”

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Beyond their architecture and cost, the pair emphasised how much they like the culture of inland golf courses.

“There is something lovely about it,” said Murphy. “We are lucky to have experienced some great service at some of the great Scottish clubs, but in some ways I’m happier with a cup of tea and a sandwich.”

Irwin added: “They’re like proper clubs as well, proper local golf clubs with local membership who obviously care for them. I think you can have a good time playing golf in Scotland which I think is definitely overlooked.

“With a lot of these places, you know you’re in amongst golfers. There are no Stromberg trousers. You are just amongst people who are there for the golf and not a lot else.”

HAVE YOUR SAY ON SCOTTISH INLAND COURSES

Have you played any Scottish inland golf courses? If so, what did you make of them? Which courses did you play? Were they on par with any Championship or coastline courses you have previously played? Let us know by leaving a comment or getting in touch with us on X!