Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland
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<strong>Top</strong> <strong>100</strong> scoTland 2015<br />
48 Downfield ( ▲ 14 )<br />
Dundee, Angus. Par 73, 6,817 yards.<br />
Designer: James Braid.<br />
BB Downfield is a f<strong>in</strong>e traditional parkland with<br />
some lovely holes and an excellent challenge<br />
throughout. Some pretty holes <strong>in</strong> the middle.<br />
IM It is one of the f<strong>in</strong>est <strong>in</strong>land courses you will<br />
play. Laid out <strong>in</strong> acres of woodland teem<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with all manner of wildlife it is picturesque,<br />
challeng<strong>in</strong>g and presented consistently nicely.<br />
GW VERDICT Big rise for a gorgeous parkland.<br />
47 Gullane No.2 ( ▲ 3 )<br />
Gullane, East Lothian. Par 71, 6,385 yards.<br />
Designers: Willie Park/Frank Penn<strong>in</strong>k.<br />
JC This is a really good l<strong>in</strong>ks and should go up.<br />
DC Mirror l<strong>in</strong>ks to no.1 without a dramatic start.<br />
IM A sport<strong>in</strong>g, enjoyable l<strong>in</strong>ks with an<br />
opportunity to open your shoulders. The views<br />
from the Gullane Hill are magnificent.<br />
RL First seven alongside no.1 then sweeps on<br />
to the nature Reserve alongside Aberlady Bay.<br />
GW VERDICT Don’t play no.1 without also no.2.<br />
46 Leven L<strong>in</strong>ks ( ▲ 1 )<br />
Leven, Fife. Par 71, 6,506 yards.<br />
Designer: Unknown.<br />
ND One of <strong>Scotland</strong>’s most formidable 18th<br />
holes with a burn front<strong>in</strong>g the green.<br />
DC: Really simple but underrated l<strong>in</strong>ks course.<br />
IM Can’t th<strong>in</strong>k of many places where two such<br />
strong but <strong>in</strong>dividual courses sit side by side.<br />
IJ Best f<strong>in</strong>ish<strong>in</strong>g hole <strong>in</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>. Fantastic.<br />
GW VERDICT We can’t split Leven and Lund<strong>in</strong>!<br />
They’re diferent, but ofer the same calibre.<br />
45 Lund<strong>in</strong> L<strong>in</strong>ks ( )<br />
Lund<strong>in</strong>, Fife. Par 71, 6,371 yards.<br />
Designers: Old Tom Morris/James Braid.<br />
BB Gets of to a great start and followed by<br />
some quirky holes <strong>in</strong> the middle.<br />
ND The flatter seaside l<strong>in</strong>ks holes are the best.<br />
MS A course to ease you <strong>in</strong>to l<strong>in</strong>ks golf. Lots of<br />
very diferent features makes it so <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
MSt Fun and scenic l<strong>in</strong>ks.<br />
IJ A gem of a l<strong>in</strong>ks with solid golf holes.<br />
GW VERDICT paired with Leven, a terrific day.<br />
44 Scotscraig ( )<br />
Tayport, Fife. Par 71, 6,669 yards.<br />
Designer: James Braid.<br />
IM A perfectly acceptable l<strong>in</strong>ks without hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
quite the landmark holes of others higher.<br />
AM Really nice old course which is a good test<br />
and also boasts <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g old clubs <strong>in</strong> the<br />
clubhouse to enjoy after your round.<br />
CB A str<strong>in</strong>gent l<strong>in</strong>ks-heathland hybrid.<br />
GW VERDICT Lacks breathtak<strong>in</strong>g views but<br />
consistency of test easily makes up for that.<br />
42 Lufness (▼ 1)<br />
Aberlady, East Lothian. Par 70, 6,328 yards.<br />
Designer: Old Tom Morris.<br />
ND Shar<strong>in</strong>g similarly smooth greens to nearby<br />
Muirfield and terra<strong>in</strong> ak<strong>in</strong> to Gullane, the holes<br />
around the turn are the most memorable.<br />
NS Excellent l<strong>in</strong>ks after the first five holes.<br />
IM At the foot of Gullane Hill this course is a<br />
great test with some of the area’s best greens.<br />
GW VERDICT Doesn’t engender afection as<br />
some l<strong>in</strong>ks do but some stout and classy fare.<br />
41 Ladybank ( ▲ 5 )<br />
Annsmuir, Fife. Par 71, 6,580 yards.<br />
Designer: Old Tom Morris.<br />
DC Absolute pleasure to play this <strong>in</strong>land track.<br />
BB Ladybank on a nice day is a delight. Lovely<br />
turf, good variety of holes and well presented.<br />
DD Love the tree-l<strong>in</strong>ed holes, the heather, p<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and silver birch. A premium on accuracy.<br />
IM Enjoyable heathland <strong>in</strong> delightful woodland.<br />
GW VERDICT Tree-l<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>land treasure moves<br />
up and splits the l<strong>in</strong>ks monopoly <strong>in</strong> this sector.<br />
40 Murcar (▼ 2)<br />
Bridge of Don, Aberdeenshire. Par 71, 6,504<br />
yards. Designer: Archie Simpson.<br />
BB A splendid challenge <strong>in</strong> a superb sett<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
ND So near Royal Aberdeen, holes such as the<br />
3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th are easily good enough to<br />
appear <strong>in</strong> a composite of both courses.<br />
NS Some terrific holes <strong>in</strong> the valleys.<br />
BS Grand dunes and vistas; a fabulous course.<br />
GW VERDICT Start<strong>in</strong>g to ga<strong>in</strong> the credit its<br />
understated seaside excellence deserves.<br />
39 Panmure ( )<br />
Carnoustie, Angus. Par 70, 6,511 yards.<br />
Designer: James Braid.<br />
IM A challeng<strong>in</strong>g l<strong>in</strong>ks forever associated with<br />
Ben Hogan. not the most scenic but a test.<br />
MS pretty, and a must after Carnoustie.<br />
AF Superb course with some brilliant holes.<br />
RL L<strong>in</strong>ks and heathland with really tight<br />
fairways and undulat<strong>in</strong>g greens. Wow.<br />
GW VERDICT Modest 1st but soon <strong>in</strong>to its<br />
stride and comprises some all-star holes.<br />
18 <strong>Golf</strong> World TOp <strong>100</strong> SCOTLAnD 2015