Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

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