The St Andrews Jubilee course was my first choice for a quick afternoon round of golf during my four years in the town. The course flies under the radar for many golfers visiting St Andrews, and for others, including locals, it has a fearsome reputation as the hardest track in town. The course is a favorite of the University of … Read More
Cruden Bay Review
My latest trip to Cruden Bay cemented the course’s position as one of my favorites in Scotland. My first visit to the course occurred during a jam-packed golf trip in my first year at the University of St Andrews. Visiting the course again was a must, and luckily during this latest round, I had a knowledgeable local to show me … Read More
St Andrews Eden Course Review
The Eden course does not immediately come to mind as a “destination course” for those on golf trips to St Andrews. The start of the course is a twenty-minute walk from the center of town, so visitors rarely stumble across the Eden. However, if you have played the Old Course, you have seen the Eden course to the right of … Read More
St Andrews New Course Review
The St Andrews New Course holds a special place in my golfing heart. It was where I played my first round in St Andrews, and I cut my links golf teeth over its slopes and bunkers. A typically fast pace of play, first-come, first-served tee time system, and very enjoyable course design have made the New a favorite of many … Read More
North Berwick (West Links) Review
North Berwick is one of the funnest golf courses of Scotland. Ancient stone walls dissect many of the holes, exposed rock surfaces on a number of the fairways, and stunning views frame large sections of the course. The town of North Berwick is charming in its own right, and the locals become part of the experience as they spill across … Read More
Carnoustie Golf Links Review
Carnoustie Golf Links is one of the strongest links course designs in Scotland. A round at Carnoustie tests every aspect of a golfer’s game, and any lapse in concentration destroys the scorecard. The course is most commonly known for Jean van de Velde’s self destruction during the 1999 Open Championship and the extremely difficult course setup that same year, which … Read More
Golf House Club – Elie Review
Golf House Club – Elie, better known as Elie Golf Club, is one of my favorite courses in Fife. Elie exemplifies the best aspects of a traditional Scottish club. The course is short and features strong inland and seaside holes (without a single par 5). The club has a great historical background, having been James Braid’s home course. As with … Read More
Loch Lomond Golf Club Review
Loch Lomond Golf Club proved to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences that I have had at a golf club. The level of luxury and service rivals any top club in the world. Loch Lomond is arguably the most exclusive golf club in the UK, and it proved extremely difficult to arrange a round. After two and … Read More
St Andrews Castle Course Review
The St Andrews Castle Course draws mixed reactions from those who have played the course. David Kidd designed the Castle, which opened in 2008. The course is set just outside of St Andrews, a short eight-minute drive south down the coast towards Crail. The views at the course are second to none. The sea is visible from nearly every hole, … Read More
Dunbar Golf Club Review
East Lothian is one of my favorite golfing areas in the world. Ever since I played my first round on “Scotland’s Golf Coast,” I have made it my goal to knock off every note-worthy course in East Lothian. I have been lucky enough at this point to have played North Berwick, Archerfield (Fidra), Renaissance Club, Muirfield, and Gullane (1, 2 … Read More
Crail Golfing Society (Balcomie) Review
For the past two years I’ve been saying to myself, “I’ll go play Crail soon. Not today, but soon.” It was a very spontaneous decision to hop on the bus to Crail yesterday with my good buddy Matt, and I only wish we had made the short journey sooner. After taking the bus along the coast to the village of … Read More
Renaissance Club Review
This review covers Renaissance Club from my first round before the clubhouse was completed all the way to my latest round, with the addition of three new holes. While the review begins with the original story, scroll to the bottom to see the three new holes! While sitting on the train to North Berwick on my way to Renaissance Club, … Read More
Muirfield Review
This latest round at Muirfield, or the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG), marks the second time that I have played the course. The first time we played the exclusive track, the wind was blowing 40 mph+, which made for a frankly unenjoyable round. With this second visit, we were able to fully experience Muirfield for everything that it offers, … Read More
Archerfield Links Review
When I received the invitation to play at Archerfield Links, I knew very little about the course, and had only heard the name in conjunction with other East Lothian courses. After doing some research, I found that Archerfield was a private member’s club that catered to wealthy golfers looking for full five star treatment. I was eager to play the … Read More
Machrihanish Dunes Review
“An un-aged whisky…” Machrihanish Dunes is a David McLay Kidd design. The course is extremely remote and is located directly next to Machrihanish Golf Club. Machrihanish Dunes is very new, having been built in 2007-9. Herein lies the biggest problem with Machrihanish Dunes: It is too young. The course had an unfinished feel and many attribute this problem to a pre-mature … Read More
Machrihanish Golf Club Review
“If there is a golfing heaven somewhere, Machrihanish will have to be passed to gain entry.” Machrihanish Golf Club is an Old Tom Morris design located on the Mull of Kintyre. It is one of the most rural golf clubs that I have played, and is also one of the hardest to reach. I travelled to the course with my … Read More
Kingsbarns Golf Links Review
Kingsbarns Golf Links is located a short fifteen minute drive from St Andrews. It is a young course, being slightly more than ten years old, but it has been met with great praise. Kingsbarns is a Kyle Phillips design and is absolutely stunning. It is currently ranked #54 in the world and it unquestionably deserves that ranking. This latest round … Read More
Musselburgh Links – The Old Course Review
The earliest documentation of golf being played on Musselburgh Links is from 1672, which has earned Musselburgh Links the Guinness World Record for being the oldest golf course in the world. However, it has been reputed that Mary, Queen of Scots played on Musselburgh even earlier in 1567. Interestingly, the 9-hole course is contained within a horseracing track. … Read More
Gullane Golf Club (Course No. 1) Review
*I did not have my camera during my first round at Gullane No. 1. I have since played all three courses at Gullane for University of St Andrews team matches, and I hope to return soon to write a more complete post. Gullane Golf Club is located in East Lothian, Scotland and has three courses. Interestingly, the courses are numbered … Read More
Royal Aberdeen Review
The drive down to Royal Aberdeen from Cruden Bay was quick, beautiful, and seamless as we proceeded to our afternoon tee time. Work was being done in the main hallway of the clubhouse, so we proceeded to the gorgeous member’s locker room filled with old wooden lockers and threw on our shoes. We went from the locker room right out … Read More