Golf in Scotland

It's official: welcome to the Best Golf Destination in the World! Scotland scooped the grand title at the World Golf Awards in November 2022, along with the Best Golf Destination in Europe award.

Both awards acknowledge and celebrate the quality of Scotland as a golfing destination and everything Scotland has to offer to golf fans.

With a legacy that spans six centuries, there is no finer place to play a round of golf than the country that gave the game to the world. You'll be spoiled for choice on your golf break in Scotland with over 550 fantastic courses to play, including links courses, parkland courses and 9-hole courses.

If you are just beginning to take up the sport, or haven't played for a few years, check out our Beginner's Golf Guide.

A golf trip to Scotland is also the perfect opportunity to see some of the world's most prestigious tournaments being played out. Scotland regularly hosts The Open Championship and the Women's Open, amongst many, many others.

Find out more about golf tournaments in Scotland.

Explore The Home of Golf

The first record of golf in Scotland dates from the 15th century (back then it was known as 'gowf'). In 1764 the Links at St Andrews (now known as the Old Course) was reduced from 22 holes to 18, creating the standard course format we still use today, and in 1860 the first Open Championship was held at Prestwick - an illustrious history indeed! Find out more about the history of golf at the British Golf Museum in St Andrews.

Walk in the footsteps of the world's greatest golfers

Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus - amongst scores of other top golfers - have all played here and many of Scotland's most prestigious courses were designed by golfing legends. 'Old' Tom Morris designed the Old and New Courses at St Andrews while James Braid is responsible for more than 250 British courses, including the world-famous King's and Queen's Courses at Gleneagles.

Golf courses in Scotland

Scotland has more courses per head of population than anywhere else in the world! The range and breadth of Scottish golf courses means that whatever your level and course preference, you'll never be far from fairways and greens suited to you.

If you want to experience some of the best golf courses Scotland has to offer, it's possible to build a golfing holiday in Scotland that ticks all these boxes. Championship courses, such as Royal Troon, the PGA® Centenary Course at Gleneagles and even the illustrious Old Course at St Andrews (host of The Open 2022), can all be booked - with a bit of forward planning and - in the case of the Old Course which requires you to enter a ballot - a dash of luck.

If you're new to the sport or want to improve your game you'll also find plenty of golf courses in Scotland that are perfect for building your confidence, with professional tuition available and high-spec driving ranges to practice your swing.