For lovers of golf there is something very special about playing in the country where the modern game originates: Scotland. Despite the game of ‘gowf’ (as it was then known) being banned by King James II in the 15th century, the powers that be came to their senses in 1502 when the ban was lifted. Since then the game has grown from its humble Scottish roots to become the international sport it is today, a sport that thrills and frustrates in equal measure whether watching or playing.
So if you are planning a trip to play golf in Scotland, what can you expect? Well, the first thing that strikes the amateur player is how friendly and accessible the courses are across Scotland. The stuffy whiff of elitism found at some courses south of the border is not in evidence here. Rather than being sneered at for slicing wildly onto the neighbouring hole (as I did to my great embarrassment while playing on Aran), you are more likely to be given a few tips on your swing, as well as a little friendly banter.
Every small town has a golf course, often in extremely picturesque settings, in which parents coach their children, or young lads come for a round of nine holes with their clubs strapped to their pushbikes. The courses themselves also maintain a relaxed, understated air, with green fees often being substantially less than in England, the US and many European destinations, and there is quite often an honesty box in place that we never witnessed a single player ignore.
Links golf is to many the purest form of the game, and there are over 100 links courses from which to choose in Scotland. You can experience some wild, lesser visited (and extraordinarily good value) courses such as Strathlene Buckie or Buckpool, or perhaps you would prefer plumping for what is probably the most famous of them all, the Old Course at St Andrews.
If you want to venture into the wild, then you are in luck. When playing golf in Scotland you can expect some changeable and challenging weather conditions, of course, but you will also be well rewarded with the kind of astounding natural beauty that is rarely found when partaking in any other sport.
For those on a budget, one of the best ways to experience a good
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