Scotland Golf
Introduction
Golf Areas:
Central (Fife, Carnoustie, Gleneagles..)
Highlands (Dornoch, Nairn..)
North East (Aberdeen, Cruden Bay..)
Ayrshire (Troon, Turnberry..)
East Lothian (Gullane, Muirfield..)
Introduction
We have provided below, organized by area, a list of courses and descriptions of each. This is by no means an all inclusive list but we feel it includes most of the major courses that you may wish to include in your tour. Why not take some time to look at the courses, the history behind them and what they have to offer.
Central
Old Course, St Andrews
This world famous course although needs nothing more to 
be said also requires credit for hosting The British Open now every 5 years as well as The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (European Tour Event) in October. The Old Course now measures over 7000 yards from the championship tees, although for visitors this will be just over 6500 yards.
Golf was originally played here in a clockwise direction but over time, the anti-clockwise format was deemed to be superior and since 1870 only one championship has been held over the original layout and that was due to an oversight by the green keeping staff.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns was opened in July 2000 to widespread acclaim and offers 
the ultimate links experience. The course has dramatic views of the sea from every hole and is a tribute to its Scottish links heritage. Already a links on The European Tour hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship along with Carnoustie Championship Course and St Andrews Old Course. Kingsbarns is one of the most talked about courses in Scotland and rated alongside the worlds finest.
Crail Golfing Society - Balcomie Links
Established in 1786, Crail Golfing Society is the seventh oldest golf club in existence. The course here is highly thought of by students of the game for both its testing holes and the standard of its greens. It is a beautiful course with sea views from every tee. As befits a classic links each hole has its own character which makes for a great round of golf.
Duke's Course, St Andrews
A modern design created in the 1990's by 5 times Open winner Peter Thomson. This course has quickly established itself in the St Andrews portfolio of 9 courses. A challenging course by any standards, in 2002 it hosted the Scottish Amateur Championship and is now a firm favourite of overseas and local players alike. Duke's is highly regarded as one of the finest heathland championship courses in the British Isles and a 'must play' course for any golfer. Its style ranks alongside the great inland challenges which demand accuracy and inventive play as well as power golf.
New Course, St Andrews
Traditional links course, laid out by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1895. It's a tough test and has many of the features of the Old Course without the booking difficulty.
Carnoustie Championship Links
This challenging links course was the venue for the 1999 British Open Championship and plays host again to The 2007 Britsih Open. In 1952 the legendary Ben Hogan won the Open here at his first attempt. The course offers a true golfing experience. Carnoustie is also now renowned to have one of the toughest finishes in golf after the 1999 British Open when Jean Van De Velde struggled through the last 2 holes. Ernie Els also described Carnoustie.
Kings Course at Gleneagles
This James Braid designed course was designed in 1919 to universal acclaim. Set in the beautiful undulating moorlands of the Perthshire countryside, the Kings Course offers a great test of parkland golf. Venue of the WPGA MacDonald's Tournament and the Old Scottish Open Course prior to Loch Lomond.
PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles
The PGA Centenary Course, created by Jack Nicklaus, is a modern classic.
Even for a champion and acclaimed golf architect like Nicklaus, The PGA Centenary Course was a challenge.
It had to be a great course and, set as it is in the heart of Scotland, the country that gave the world golf, Nicklaus described the course as "The finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with". It has also been announced that The PGA Course is going to be the 2014 Ryder Cup Course in Scotland.
Highlands
Royal Dornoch Championship Course
This Tom Morris and John Sutherland designed course is one of the best in Scotland. Tom Watson, an honorary member of the club, described the championship standard seaside links here as 'the most fun I have ever had playing golf'.
Nairn Golf Club
This championship standard seaside links was founded in 1887. Jointly designed by three legends of golf course design, James Braid, Old Tom Morris and A Simpson, this course has matured into a highly regarded course both in Scotland and internationally. The Course has hosted many famous pro and amateur tournaments including the 1999 Walker Cup between Great Britain and the USA.
The Carnegie Links
Set within the grounds of an enchanting Skibo Castle, with the sea on three sides and the hills of Sutherland and Ross-shire all around, this splendid course enjoys a magnificent position. A memorable round of golf is assured on this prestigious course.
North East
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay offers traditional Scottish links golf at its very best. It was designed by master architect Tom Simpson who created a dramatic layout through the rolling sandhills. Golf World rated it at No12 among the top 100 courses in Britain and Ireland.
Royal Aberdeen, Balgownie Course
The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen in 1780, and as such is recognised as the 6th oldest club in the world. This championship links course was included by Tom Watson in his pilgrimage to the finest dunes courses in Great Britain. Balgownie was laid out by Robert Simpson and though considerable changes have taken place over the years, the essential character of the links remains the same.
Ayrshire
Royal Troon Old Course
An excellent world famous seaside links course which provides golfers of all standards with a stiff challenge. The 1997 Open Championship was held here and won by Justin Leonard and ten returned again in 2004 when won by Todd Hamilton when he bee Ernie Els in on the 4th play off hole. There 365 bunkers on this course, one for every day of the year. Whether you hit the fairways, or the bunkers, a memorable day is assured.
Prestwick Golf Club
The Open Championship was held a total of 24 times at Prestwick from 1860 and it remains a great course to this day. The course has fine views over the sea and has many great holes. Prestwick is one of the finest tests of traditional links golf in Scotland.
Western Gailes Golf Club
A magnificent seaside links with fine turf and wonderful greens. The view is open across the Firth of Clyde to the neighbouring islands. Although less well known than the Open Championship venues of Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry, this is nonetheless one of the finest tests of traditional links golf in Scotland.
Ailsa Course at Turnberry
This world famous course has been the venue for the Open in 1977 and 1986 and hosted it again in 1994. It was here in the 1977 Open, that Jack Nicklaus put up such a brave fight against Tom Watson. A memorable golfing experience is assured. The Ailsa Course at Turnberry has now been named as the 2009 British Open Course.
Machrihanish Golf Club
The links of Machrihanish was initially laid out by Old Tom Morris who described the setting as being specifically designed by The Almighty for playing golf. Altered by three times Open Champion, J.H. Taylor in 1914, the final touches were applied some 30 years later by Sir Guy Campbell, the result being the course as we know it today. It has recently been made accessible by the Kintyre Express Service from Troon or Maidens to Campbelltown.
East Lothian
Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
This superb course has been the venue for many memorable Open Championships - most notably Lee Trevino's victory over Tony Jacklin in 1972. The Open Returned in 2002 when it was won by Ernie Els. It is also hosting the 2006 British Seniors Open. This course has everything and features in all top 10 lists of the world's courses.
North Berwick West Links
The course here is another of East Lothian's famous courses. This is a classic championship links and has many interesting features. The famous 15th hole was selected for television's best 18 in the United Kingdom.
Gullane Number 1 Course
This fine course is of championship standard and is rated as one of Scotland's premier links courses. Gullane is the final pre-qualifying course when the Open is held at nearby Muirfield.