Scotland the essence of golf

Scotland is renowned for its castles, its whiskies, its lochs and its glens. This rugged, remarkable, little country has given much to the modern world in terms of innovation, invention and inspiration. But many would argue its greatest gift has been the game of golf.

Some 60 million people worldwide now play the game that originated and radiated from this land. Golf is still by far the most prevailing participant sport for Scots and their guests. Quantity and quality No matter where they come from visitors are constantly struck by the depth, diversity and condition of the Scottish golf product.

"I can't believe the quality of these greens - and you say this is just a holiday course!"

"The scenery is absolutely stunning - what a setting for a game of golf!"

These assertions might sound a tad garrulous but, believe me, these are words that regularly emanate from our golf visitors. Even players from countries famed for the manicured perfection of their golf courses find in Scotland a more genuine, natural golfing environment second to none. Of course, we have had a long time to perfect our courses! Though the first indications of golf in Scotland occurred some 600 years ago, today's courses stand up to all the changes and challenges of the modern game.

Here the Open Championship regularly returns to St Andrews, Muirfield, Carnoustie and Royal Troon, while magnificent new venues such as Loch Lomond, Kingsbarns and Gleneagles', PGA Course host other major tournaments. Along with a natural setting, Scotland's courses offer a more profound examination of your game. Playing a round here can call for all the elements of your game, such as strategy, imagination, determination.

Here you will encounter conditions that you have never experienced before, conditions that demand new tactics such as the "bump-and-run" approach to a links green or the art of playing with, across or into a links wind. Deep pothole bunkers demand first-class escape techniques and giant double-greens can create new dimensions in putting. Golfers come off courses such as St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, Cruden Bay, Brora or Belleisle with a satisfied grin and a yearning to try again on a round that has brought out their very best.

The most difficult part of a golfing visit to Scotland might be picking the area you wish to enjoy. Golf is well-distributed throughout the land; indeed, with well over 500 courses, there are more golf courses per head of population than in any other nation on earth. If asked to recommend one particular part of Scotland in which to find the best courses, I'm afraid I would find the task impossible. Scotland is laced with golf of every sort, links courses, heathland, moorland, parkland. But what is outstanding, as well as consistent, is the calibre of each course.

Two elements have combined in large part to create this happy circumstance: nature and tradition. Scotland's original architects, such as Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Dr Alister Mackenzie, all appreciated the leading role the "lie of the land" played in their endeavours. Partly due to the limitations of their equipment, along with sympathy for the gifts Mother Nature bestowed, Scotland's courses followed natural contours and employed intrinsic hazards. This has led to a tremendous variety of golfing terrain where the humps and hollows, firs and burns, whins and broom that occurred naturally have all been employed to create wonderfully spontaneous encounters.

To sample this golfing bounty, visitors must choose their itinerary carefully. If you wish to sample the top championship courses such as St Andrews Old Course, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Turnberry, much forward planning is required. These courses are booked well, sometime years, in advance and the keen visitor must contact these clubs to ascertain the correct procedure for obtaining a tee time.

Meanwhile, the myriad of the country's other courses are relatively simple to play. Most require only short notice and willingly accommodate and welcome visitors. The best way to approach such a golfing bounty is to settle on one region and fully explore its golf and other cultural attractions. Edinburgh and the southeast Crossing the Scotttish/English Border from the east you immediately enter into a wonderful golfing area.

The Scottish Borders offer lots of leisurely golf as well as a few excellent championship length challenges. The region merits close inspection and will deliver a golfing holiday for players of any level. The Roxburghe Course is its principal course but there are several excellent 18-hole courses along with a number of delightful nine-holers. Most recent on the scene is the new Dave Thomas-designed Cardrona Course near Peebles on the banks of the River Tweed which promises to be an excellent test.

Heading towards the nation's capital, Edinburgh and the neighbouring East Lothian area are blessed with some of the best golfing grounds in the world. Muirfield, the 2002 Open venue is only one of a tremendous line of links courses on the southern banks of the Firth of Forth, while Edinburgh itself is probably the best supplied European capital in terms of golf courses. The great benefit of basing a golf visit in Edinburgh is the cultural, gastronomic and shopping alternatives this fascinating city affords.

The Scottish heartlands When it comes to golf, little needs to be said about the fabled Kingdom of Fife, the reputed birthplace of the game. But, besides the obvious hub of the game at St Andrews, Fife has many championship level links along with luxurious inland courses. There are opportunities to be had playing on the areaÕs prime courses, including three open qualifiers. Again, Fife is a beautiful area (particularly along its coast) so take time to explore ancient fishing villages such as Crail, Anstruther and Pittenweem.

To the north are the regions of Angus, Dundee and Perthshire. Here, also, are championship links such as Carnoustie with the contrast of renowned Gleneagles offering three of the best heathland courses. Between are scores of superb local courses that open their doors wide to the travelling golfer.

Northern Scotland Grampian and Highland are areas well-known to golfers who have taken time to appreciate the huge variety of Scotland's golf. With fabulous coastal courses and some of the most beautiful inland courses in the world, an itinerary covering the links, glens and mountains of Scotland's north will be highly enjoyed.

Some of the most memorable tracts are those in the Highlands, such as Boat of Garten, probably Scotland's most beautiful setting for a golf course. The same can be said for remote spots such as Gairloch or Durness in the Scottish northwest. Indeed, many of the island communities to the north and west of the mainland sport their own unique golf. Glasgow and the southwest Glasgow and the southwest offer some of the best known venues such as Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry.

Here the golfing greats have battled it out over the centuries. But close to every celebrated links are dozens of "secondary" courses that are almost as fine as their famous counterparts.

Glasgow has never been known as a touring golfer's mecca but there are many courses in and around the city. Ayrshire is the best-known region for links golf but more southerly Dumfries and Galloway offers an ideal gateway to glorious golf.Finally, the islands off Scotland's southwest present courses such as the Machrie, a superb, natural links course.

Scotland's Open Championship Courses
St Andrews Carnoustie Royal Troon Turnberry Muirfield Prestwick

Ten Great Links Courses
Leven Links Kingsbarns St Andrews Bay Torrance Course St Andrews - New Course Royal Dornoch Gullane No 1 Cruden Bay Nairn Tain Machrihanish

Ten Hidden Gems
Blairgowrie Rosemount Alyth Ladybank Downfield Glenisla Newmacher Boat of Garten Murrayshall Dumfries and Galloway Glenbervie

Planning your escape
With more than 500 courses to choose from in a country that measures only some 300 miles long and at points as little as 100 miles wide your biggest problem will be in deciding where to play. The Official Scottish Golf Guide offers all the information you will need to plan your trip but there are also literally dozens of excellent web sites and as many first-class tour operators to keep you right. There are also many different ways to getting around Scotland to play your golf. You can golf by barge, by luxury coach, by helicopter and luxury aircraft. A golfing train journey can be especially romantic. You can hire your own golfing guide, chauffeur-driven limousine or simply do-it-yourself in your own hire car. Whatever method you choose, Scotlands easy to navigate and compact, so you can travel from one course to the next in relatively short time. Rather than try and play courses scattered the length and breadth of the country, why not settle on one area and explore its nook and crannies? There will always be time to come back and sample another area on your next visit. Golf visitors to Scotland have a habit of getting hooked. For many this becomes their second home in a golf sense, perhaps returning yearly on a pilgrimage to play golf as it is meant to be, in its homeland, in Scotland.