by Andre Sanchez

If you are looking for something different this year, how about a golf vacation in Scotland?  Commonly regarded as being the home of golf, everybody has heard of St. Andrews, but there is more to golf in Scotland than that.  In fact, of the top twenty Scottish courses as voted by visitors to Scotland, four of the British Open Championship links venues appear in the top five.

There are a number of different types of Scottish golfing vacation, ranging from a few days based at one of the lesser known courses to two or three weeks touring the best in the country, and visiting courses at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Turnberry, Gleneagles, Troon, Carnoustie, etc., etc.  There is more to Scotland than just St. Andrews.

St Andrews is a small town situated on the east coast of Scotland, 55 miles north of Edinburgh, and contains six golf courses, all municipal, including the Old Course. Since they are owned by the town, a certain number of tee times have to be kept for casual visitors and locals, and while times can be booked, there is a daily draw for the reserved public tee times on the Old Course, in which everybody, including visitors, can enter.

The other main courses are the New Course and the Eden Course, and the site also offers a number of 18 hole putting greens that are first come first served.  A vacation in St. Andrews can be arranged to include a round on any or all of these courses, since all have pre-bookable tee times in addition to those that must be kept available for casual visitors.

Fifty five miles down the coast, Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and contains 18 golf courses within the city limits alone.  There are many, many more in the surrounding area including Muirfield, another Open venue. On the way from St. Andrews to Edinburgh, you also pass a third British Open venue, Carnoustie.  Also close to Edinburgh is the Royal Musselburgh Old Course, the oldest continuously played golf course in the world. 

A little known piece of golf trivia is that a golf cup has a hole size of 4.25 inches because that was the size of the hole cutter used at the Musselburgh Course since 1829.  The Royal & Ancient adopted it in 1893, and it has been used internationally ever since.

Edinburgh is a fabulous place to base yourself in for a golfing vacation.  Not only do you have all of these marvellous golf courses within a maximum hour and a bit drive, but will also enjoy all of the hospitality that Scotland can offer in any of the dozens of top class hotels in the area.  Further along the coast, again within an hour, are Gullane, another of Scotland’s premier courses, and North Berwick.  This part of Scotland is riddled with links and inland golf courses of the highest standard.

If you are looking for something more Highland in nature, try the Gleneagles course.  The Gleneagles Hotel has always been a favourite of the top golfers and American visitors, offering 5 star accommodation and cuisine with a championship golf course on the doorstep.  The other British Open courses in Scotland are Turnberry and Troon in Ayrshire.  It is possible to book a vacation to take all five in, but don’t forget some of the others, such as Prestwick, where the first 12 British Opens were held, and the Royal Dornoch away up in the north of Scotland.

You should also keep in mind that London, Belfast and Dublin are all within an hour’s flight of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and that you could include some English or Irish courses in your itinerary.  Many people take a week in Edinburgh, with rounds at St. Andrews, Turnberry and Musselburgh, and then fly over to Dublin to take in the Royal Dublin and Deer Park courses.

A golfing vacation in Scotland is a wonderful trip, and if your partner does not play, don’t worry.  There will be plenty for the non-golfer to do anywhere in Scotland, especially in Edinburgh that has so much shopping to offer, a plethora of museums and tourist attractions and wonderful night life ranging from top class restaurants to traditional Scots pubs.

Nobody visits Scotland and returns disappointed, unless they are seeking Florida sun.  This is one thing, unfortunately, that Scotland cannot offer.  However, you can’t have everything and Scotland knocks the socks off Florida any time for great golf vacations.  Every golfer should try a golf vacation in Scotland at least once, or forever doubt your ability to play a real links course.

Try A Golf Vacation in Scotland was originally published at http://www.golfplayernow.com