Number 1. Played summer 2013. Traditional links designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross. I was lucky enough to take part in a "Taste of Turnberry" event which resulted in a round on the wonderful Ailsa course at Turnberry.
The hotel looks magnificent as you drive in and the clubhouse is huge. There are ample practice facilities for both long game and short game as well as substantial putting greens.
The course itself was in great condition although the rough had been cut back slightly which made the course that wee bit easier. The first couple of holes are reasonably non-descript but as you reach the sea and the par 3 4th the course really starts to ramp up the difficulty and the beauty. There are some lovely dunes - maybe not as spectacular as Cruden Bay - but still deep enough to give you shelter and the feeling of being alone on one of the world's greatest golf courses. The run of holes from 3 until 11 are just beautiful and provide a stern test of links golf.
I wasnt as blowen away by the back 9 but did enjoy 16 & thought that 18 was a good finishing hole with a blind drive and bunkers and gorse awaiting an errant drive. A good drive is necessary and you will all be aiming to play a shot from the "Tom Watson plaque" to complete your own "Duel in the Sun".
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Muirfield
Number 2. Played winter 2012. Traditional links designed by Old Tom Morris.
The famous sign adorning the ornate gated entrance to one of the world's greatest golf courses welcomes you to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers or as we know it Muirfield. It was on one of Scotland's wet, windy and wild days that I braved the elements to take on this legendary course. The chance to play Murifield doesn't come along too often and therefore the rain wasn't going to stop me. However, it did mean my photographs weren't up to the usual standard so I apologise for that.
Even though it had been raining hard for a number of days the fairways were in excellent condition with absolutely no standing water. The tees were as good as some greens I have played on this year and the greens were sensational, particularly for December in Scotland. The course itself was difficult to judge as the wind did make it almost unplayable. My own experience was that the fairways were reasonably narrow but fortunately the rough had been cut down so my many wayward shots weren't badly punished. The par 3s were excellent with 13 being a particular delight. I am proud to say that I didn't end up in one of the bunkers at 13 like Mr Els in 2002. I think it would be impossible to play Muirfield without playing at least one bunker shot - there are some many bunkers all intelligently positioned. I did manage to end up in a number of the bunkers but without the same success as Mr Els!
After such a windswept round I retired to the clubhouse. Muirfield is a gentlemen only club with a strict dress code. However, women can play the course and can also use clubhouse as per this article with the Secretary. For anyone who manages to play the course I would strongly recommend that you also take advantage of the superb lunch. I was pleasantly surprised by the warm and friendly welcome we received in the clubhouse - this is not the stuffy clubhouse I had been told to expect. All in all it was an excellent experience on a superb course. I would love to return to play the course on a more benign day but even if I don't get the chance it is still one of the greatest courses I have played.
Thanks: A huge thanks to Dave for getting the tee time arranged and joining me on the day. I know he throughly enjoyed his day. Also a thank you to the assistant secretary who took the time to join us for lunch.
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St Andrews (Old)
Number 3. Played autumn 2013. Traditional links.
Nothing that I write here, nor any discussions you may have with people who have played it, can prepare you for the feeling on the first tee. It is one of the scariest feelings in golf but once you get a good one off the tee it is one of the best feelings! That first tee shot alone is worth the price of the green fee.
The Old Course is a truly special golf course - it may not be the longest, the prettiest nor the toughest (depending on the wind) but it is the most historic and you can feel the ghosts of past players guiding you along. I was fortunate enough to play with some local members - if you are not playing with locals then my advice would be to take a caddy. The best position off the tee aren't always the most obvious and the various many bunkers are waiting in hidden dips to swallow up balls from the uninitiated.
The front 9 is the more benign than the back 9. In fact the back from 11 onwards really ramps up the difficulty. It reaches it's toughest point at the infamous Road Hole before giving you something back on the wonderful 18th hole. As with the 1st the 18th has a huge fairway to hit but you must avoid the Valley of Sin with your approach.
This is a must play course for any golfer in the world. I am delighted I had the chance and I hope it wont be my last!
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Kingsbarns
Number 4. Played Summer 2011. Traditional links designed by Kyle Phillips.
Kingsbarns is one of Scotland's premier golfing venues, it has excellent facilities, a well designed and interesting course which is set up to test golfers of all abilities and it is blessed to be on some of the finest links land in the world. But, and it is only my personal opinion, there is a missing ingredient to that list and that is the infamous 'x-factor'. I think that whilst Kingsbarns has all the many great points that you would expect from a modern classic it feels a bit like a computer generated masterpiece rather than an authentic old master.
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Royal Dornoch
Number 5. Played during 2012. Traditional links designed by Old Tom Morris.
The best golf course I have ever played. It was stunningly beautiful, testing, natural & fun. The course has a sense of history & magical quality in the air. It is a classic old links – the use of the natural landscape is stunning. It has huge changes in elevation, holes with scores of bunkers and some with none! It is a thinking man’s golf course – each hole will test your ability and your strategic play. If you ever visit Scotland for golf do yourself a huge favour and visit Royal Dornoch, you will just love this it!
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Carnoustie (Championship)
Number 6. Played summer 2013. Traditional links designed by Old Tom Morris & James Braid.
There are few courses in the world that will make you feel as nervous on the first tee as you do when you tee up on the Championship course at Carnoustie. The world famous Open venue enjoys a reputation for being a tough golf course made even tougher by whatever the great Scottish weather decides to throw at you. It doesn't get the infamous Carnasty description for nothing. However, once you get over the first tee nervous and settle in you will find a challenging but beguiling course.
This year I have had the opportunity to play the course on 2 occasions. On my debut I remarked that I had never felt so beaten up by a golf course in my life. The wind was up, the pins were in tough positions and I left feeling physically drained. However, on the 2nd round it was much easier. I had a better understanding of the routing and was less overawed. In fact I actually enjoyed my 2nd round and felt I had a great appreciation of the quality of the course. I had also had the luxury of playing Irvine (Bogside) since and, frankly, any other course seems like childsplay after that experience!
The course was in excellent condition, helped no doubt by our excellent summer in 2013. The fairways were good and the rough was tough but fair. However the highlight are the greens; these are spectacular, quick & true- you will not find truer greens anywhere in the world in my opinion.
There are some wonderful holes on the course, including the wonderful Hogan's Alley. However, it is the closing 3 holes that are the real standouts. These 3 tough holes are a fitting end to one of the world's great links courses and I defy anyone to finish on the historic 18th green and not want to go straight back out and play it all over again.
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North Berwick (West)
Number 9. Played autumn 2012. Traditional links.
Recently voted as the number 1 fun golf course in the UK, North Berwick (West) is a fantastically quirky and interesting course. It has some unique features, the wall in front of the green at 13, the much copied bunkering of the Redan (15th) and the huge valley in the green on 16! It is a course that will leave you with a huge grin on your face no matter what you score. Whether you are playing from the rolling fairways or from the beach (it is in play most of the way round) you will be playing golf at its most interesting. I loved every second of it (well except for the drive at 18 with the car park most certainly in the line of fire!). I can only say that it ranks just below the incomparable Royal Dornoch in my own personal list of courses played. If you do visit then please take the time to visit the clubhouse which is top notch.
Thanks: A huge thanks to Campbell at Murray Golf who was an excellent and generous host. The company of Murray Golf are an independent Scottish clothing label. I would highly recommend checking out some of their gear - excellent quality at a reasonable price.
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