2025 Scotland

I played these courses over the course of a week, in very un-Scottish conditions. It was during a heatwave. During my visit to these beautiful Scottish golf courses, I noticed a few specific things. I’m sharing these experiences so you might benefit from them. (Based on my honest observations, at the time of my visits.)

General Observations

Handicap: At none of the courses I’ve played, have I been asked for my handicap. I’ve been told it only matters in competitions.

Driving Ranges: These are a rarity except on the best courses. However, almost all courses have putting greens and (usually worn, if not tattered) driving bays.

Roads and Walking Pathways crossing the course: Many of the golf course had roads and paths beside or crossing them. A footpath runs between Eden course and Old cause at St. Andrews, where families with strollers walk. The marshal’s answer to my question about whether this is dangerous, was: “No, the paths are out of bounds.…..”

Clubs: Bring your own! It’s fair to say that renting out golf clubs isn’t part of most golf courses business. Unlike St. Andrews, where I received a brand new set of Callaway Elyte rental clubs, most courses direct you to a closet or basement where their club boneyard is located.

Balls: Unless you’re using the most expensive balls from major brands, you might want to bring plenty of your own choice. Balls are relatively expensive and at many courses, they’re is only a limited selection available in packs of three.

St Andrews Links (Fife)

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
(The R&A is the ruling authority that decides rules of the game.)

The Eden course

While many consider the Eden course not the most difficult of the St. Andrews links courses, it does offer some significant challenges. The wind is obviously a factor, but the course also follows the Eden Estuary laterally. It is certainly the most fun and has some amazing greens, especially on the front nine. It is 5715 meters with a par of 70 and is not heavily bunkered yet the challenge remains high. Many of the greens are more heavily contoured and you can have some really interesting putts. There are also some dramatic green complexes, none-more-so than the short eighth with a steep slope at the front. I didn’t care much for the stretch of holes from the 10th to the 15th but the final trio are a strong way to finish. (I played it 13 over par.)

The Jubilee Course

The Jubilee is probably the toughest course in St Andrews, it offers a typical links challenge with tight fairways, dunes, and gorse. It lies on the coast, and there are no shared fairways, no double greens and more changes in direction than you will find elsewhere in the town. It plays as a Par 72, and runs at just over 6000 meters. Being more exposed than its neighbours means that the front nine, which plays mainly with a helping wind, must generate a good score. Anywhere else in the world and the Jubilee would be a star attraction. In St Andrews it is tucked away and upstaged by its glamorous neighbours. It is an absolute must though, being a very enjoyable collection of holes. (I played it 16 over par.)

(Unusual) Tee colours at St Andrews links:
Black (similar to White tees): The longest and most challenging, often used by more advanced players and in tournaments.
Blue (similar to Yellow tees): A middle-length option, often used by more experienced players.
Green (similar to Blue tees): The shortest option, for beginners and those looking for a less challenging round.

Boat of Garten Golf Club (Speyside)

Boat of Garten is one of the hidden gems of the Cairngorms! It’s a moorland course. The Spey river offers a spectacular setting and there is a real feeling of tranquillity here. This is a course that asks for finesse and accuracy rather than brute force as bushes, trees and rough are lining the fast rolling fairways. This is a pleasant, friendly and beautiful course, 5400 meters long, not very demanding or challenging. A nice experience. (I played it 13 over par.)

MacDonalds Spey Valley Golf Club (Speyside)

Spey Valley‘s signature hole is the fifth, the longest hole in Scotland at 581 meters. The back 9 has the more challenging and fantastic holes. Holes are generally very open and strategically placed trees are cunningly located on more than one fairway dogleg. Many of the tees are elevated. Stunning views to the mountains and the River Spey make this course a treat. The golf course is covered in good old Scottish heather making it hard to find stray balls and hit your ball from. This has a driving range and is a course I’d recommend playing. (I played it 23 over par……)

Carrbridge Golf Club (Speyside)

Carrbridge Golf Club is a shorter 9 holes course that offers a great golf experience. I paid using the honesty box. The course has been moulded around the natural contours of the land and so offers few man made hazards. There are many burns and there is water somewhere at every hole. What seemed to be a friendly village course proved to be a true treat of a golf course. (I played the 9 holes 3 over par.)

Grantown on Spey Golf Club (Speyside)

Grantown on Spey Golf Club is one of my two favourite Speyside golf courses. It has three different characteristics, all equally well maintained and fun to play:

The first six holes are laid out on flat, open parkland.
Holes 7 to 12 are routed through hilly woodland.
The final six holes are played out over undulating parkland.

Nice people, great course, different levels of difficulty and many types of challenges on the course. This course tests all the different aspects of your technique, whilst being a fun experience. A must! (I played it 15 over par.)

Kingussie Golf Club (Speyside)

Kingussie Golf Club is one of my two favourite Speyside golf courses. What a great course! Kingussie (“head of the pinewood” in Gaelic) offers upland terrain, with a couple of short climbs at the 4th and 8th holes. The holes do not have many specific hazards and greens are a delight to putt on, but: Every single hole demands a good first hit off the tee. Elevated tees and blind uphill holes are challenging. This, to me, is a course that you play either really well, or really bad, as a visiting player. It will be a memorable experience in any case. (I played it 25 over par. But I’ll do better next time! 🙂

Newtonmore Golf Club (Speyside)

Newtonmore Golf Club wasn’t the most challenging course on my trip, but I think this is an excellent course for higher handicap players, or those aiming to improve their handicap. The two opening and closing holes are laid out on undulating land in front of the clubhouse whereas holes 3 to 16 are routed on lower lying land alongside the banks of the River Spey. All eighteen holes are surrounded by sensational Highland scenery, which makes playing this course a beautiful experience. (I played it 9 over par.)

On this page I share my most memorable golf trips and courses.