Scotland surely has a long and glorious history of Championship golf and a plethora of World Top 100 golf courses. However, if you are blinded by course rankings you might overlook some of the countries lesser-know treasures that are integral to a true Scottish golf experience. Below are some of our favorites that date back centuries and don’t break the bank but are more than worthy additions to any itinerary:

Notable Courses Nearby: North Berwick, Muirfield

Dunbar Golf Club has a history that few other clubs in the world can match. Golf in the town, a former Royal Burgh, actually dates back almost 400 years (!), while the club itself was founded in the 1850s. Over the years, greats like Old Tom Morris and James Braid have helped with the layout: a true out and back links that is squeezed between an old sandstone wall and the stunning, rocky North Sea coastline.

Championship Courses Nearby: St. Andrews, Kingsbarns

Elie Links, home to the Golf House Club, has a history that dates back to the 18th century (if not earlier!), making it one of the world’s oldest golf clubs. Despite an unusual and monotonous scorecard with sixteen par 4s and two par 3s, the course is exciting, with coastal views from atop seaside cliffs and a most unusual start at the blind first, where an old submarine periscope is used to ensure the fairway is clear.

Notable Courses Nearby: Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart

Founded in 1793, Fortrose and Rosemarkie is the 15th oldest club in the world and this James Braid design measures just 6,100 yards. Don’t let the length fool you into the course being easy, though. The layout fits perfectly across the Chanonry Peninsula and tight gorse-lined holes play to fast greens that are buffeted by the ever-present wind. This course will hold its own even against the best of players and it’s a fine addition to any Highlands itinerary.

Notable Courses Nearby: Cruden Bay, Trump International

The links of Fraserburgh are home to the world’s 7th oldest golf club (which dates to 1777!) and are beautifully and naturally set near Scotland’s northeast coast at the windy convergence of the Moray Firth and the North Sea. The current layout, which can be largely attributed to James Braid, tumbles across undulating fairways amongst substantial coastal dunes. It’s a bit off the beaten path but a genuinely warm Scottish welcome awaits.

Notable Courses Nearby: Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart

Golspie Golf Club was formed in 1889 along the Dornoch Firth and, as with so many of these historic Scottish links, James Braid was invited to lend a hand with the course. The charm of the layout is in its quirkiness and variety, with stretches that run through parkland, heathland and linksland terrain with humps and hollows to challenge golfers all along the way. It’s the location, though, that is a glorious sight to behold.

Notable Courses Nearby: Muirfield, North Berwick

Kilspindie Golf Club is the epitome of a Scottish Hiddem Gem. From it’s par 3 start overlooking Aberlady Bay it is immediatley apparent that the location is special, and it has a history that dates to the mid-19th century (if not before), making it among the world’s oldest clubs. The par 69 course is short at only 5,500 yards from the “tips,” but that just enhances the authenticity and fun.

Notable Courses Nearby: Carnoustie, Royal Aberdeen

Ben Crenshaw perfectly described Montrose’s Medal Course as a “magnificent stretch of marvelously natural ground which depicts how the game was born.” The ancient old links was laid out along the edge of the North Sea and dates all the way back to 1562, making it one of the world’s oldest golf courses. With proper links challenges, stunning coastal views, a rich history and an unpretentious welcome, it truly epitomizes the idyllic Scottish links experience.

Notable Courses Nearby: Nairn, Castle Stuart

Moray Golf Club was founded in 1889 and Old Tom Morris himself laid out the venerable old track. Deep revetted bunkers and undulating gorse lined fairways protect par on the natural-feeling layout, which starts and finishes in the heart of Lossiemouth and sits adjacent to the town’s Royal Air Force base. It’s unpretentious and welcoming and quintessential Scottish golf at its finest.

Notable Courses Nearby: Prestwick, Royal Troon

The little old links of Prestwick St. Nicholas is endearing. Its original membership actually shared the links at nearby Prestwick Golf Club before relocating just south down the Firth of Clyde coastline. The layout has championship qualities, with deep bunkers, running fairways, undulating greens and strands of gorse, but at just over 6,000 yards its a very inviting test.

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