Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

Top 100 scoTland 2015
MY SECRETS OF SCOTLAND
By Andrew Coltart
The 1999 Ryder Cup player grew up playing in elite amateur events around the country. He
selects 10 of his favourite lower-profile courses - with an emphasis on fun, short-ish tracks.
Kilspindie
A brilliant, fun little gem with outstanding
holes and fantastic views of the Firth of Forth.
Just leave your slice at home!
Ladybank
A strong course with a big emphasis on
accuracy and strategy. I played there in the
British youths in 1988 and absolutely loved it.
L u f n e s s
not overly long but has recently been
extended; it’s a clever design using bunkers
and dead ground to confuse the golfer. Very
exposed to the elements. I qualified for the
Muirfield Open of 2002 there, by shooting 61 –
a new course record.
Archerfield Dirleton
It’s true that I’m a member here but I like and
admire DJ Russell as an architect. A clever,
exposed golf course, it is well bunkered of the
tee but fair around the green which means it’s
playable in all conditions.
Thornhill
This is where I grew up as a kid, so obviously
I am a bit biased. It’s limited by available land,
but is a short fun course to play, where each
nine returns to the clubhouse so you don’t
have to be out all day to enjoy your game.
Cawder
I remember loving this course when I was a
young lad. played it several times but that was
over 20 years ago so it just shows you how
impressed I was by it.
Powfoot
Another course from my native South of
Scotland; it was always a strong stern test for
any golfer. From the threat of out of bounds
right at the 1st, the pressure was always on to
score well. Love it (as well as its better-known
neighbour Southerness).
Golspie
played it only once, and it was 14 years ago,
but I can remember how good it was to this
day. I recall thinking it’s a shame it’s so far
north so isn’t more widely recognised. A
lovely old design, it was great fun to learn
and play.
Blairgowrie (Lansdowne)
Another long time ago amateur event, it was
‘keyhole tight’ in places. I loved how the
slashers had no chance around here. Had to
keep it in play.
Dunbar
On Scotland’s Golf Coast, this is a strong
course always exposed to the winds whipping
East Lothian. Important to control the ball
flight and distances, I have fond memories
of it because I won the Scottish Boys title
here in ’86.
n Andrew Coltart is a European Tour winner
who played in the 199 Ryder Cup, won the
Dunhill Cup and is now a commentator for
Sky Sports and a director of bespoke
coaching experts TPEGS (TPEGS.com).
Blairgowrie’s
Lansdowne
course, where
accuracy is key.
20 Golf World TOp 100 SCOTLAnD 2015