When it comes to exceptional golf and the heritage of the game, the lineup runs deep along the west coast of Scotland. This is the birthplace of The Open Championship. The Champion Golfer of the Year has been crowned here 37 times, with another already on the calendar. Prestwick, Royal Troon, and Turnberry bring untold numbers of globetrotting golfers to the Ayrshire region every year. But those who are willing to venture just off the well worn path will find that there’s far more to be discovered in this area than just the Open Championship venues.

Here are a few of the less-heralded golf courses near Royal Troon and Turnberry that are worthy of a visit during your trip to the west coast of Scotland.

Western Gailes

Although Western Gailes may be lesser-known than it’s illustrious neighbors in Ayrshire, the H&B Forces have enjoyed its charms for decades. The wind is often the biggest challenge to contend with on links golf courses, but even more so at Western Gailes where the 18-holes are brilliantly routed through a narrow sliver of land. Several of the outward holes run far too close to the railway for comfort, followed by a taxing stretch along the sea. If the wind is up, keeping your ball off both the tracks and beach is certainly a reason to celebrate. There’s a good chance that you’ll come away from Western Gailes believing it to be the most appropriately named course in golf.

Credit: Western Gailes Golf Club

Prestwick St. Nicholas

If you enjoy golf history and pleasant rounds, Prestwick St. Nicholas may be worthy of a place on your Scotland golf itinerary. Founded in 1851, Prestwick St. Nicholas is the 26th oldest golf club in the world. Old Tom Morris was instrumental in the club’s formation and was made an Honorary Member in celebration of his first Open Championship win. The course is a traditional Scottish links where the turf runs hard and fast. In a somewhat untraditional twist, however, out of bounds comes into play on no less than 12 holes, placing accuracy at a significant premium over distance.

Credit: Prestwick St. Nicholas Golf Club

Dundonald Links

The new kid on the block in Ayrshire, Dundonald Links has worked hard in recent years to earn a place in the “must-play” category. Despite being less than 20 years old, architect Kyle Phillips – perhaps best known for his co-design at Kingsbarns Golf Links – crafted a course that feels as though it has been around for a century or better. Like Kingsbarns, Dundonald Links provides both an enjoyable experience for the average golfer and a stern test for the professional. A feature that was on full display when the course hosted the 2017 Scottish Open. In addition to the course, Dundonald is set to unveil a collection of on-site lodges, which may entice more golfers off the well worn path for a visit.

Credit: Dundonald Links

Shiskine

You’ll be hard pressed to find a course as unique as Shiskine. That is, unless you’ve run across a bunch of 12-hole courses during your travels. Shiskine wasn’t always half a dozen holes short of a full set. Several holes on their 18-hole layout fell into disrepair during the Great War and, rather than go to the trouble of repairing them, the club simply decided to press on with those that remained. Shiskine is equal parts thrilling and spectacular. It’s also likely to leave you craving more. Thankfully, the whole round only takes a couple of hours, leaving plenty of time for another loop. Just be sure you don’t miss the last ferry off Isle of Arran.

Machrie Golf Links

When it comes to golf trips to the west of Scotland, The Machrie is literally and figuratively off the beaten path. For starters, getting there requires at least one ferry ride and usually a couple of hours or more on the road. Once you’ve arrived, however, the reward is one of the best all-around golf experiences to debut in Scotland in the last 25 years. The Machrie Links is an absolute joy to play. The hotel is a comfortable oasis of Scottish hospitality. The nearby whisky distilleries are some of the most notable in the country. All of which combine to make The Machrie a detour that’s always worth taking.

The Kintyre Peninsula

Although most golfers will pair the Kintyre peninsula with an Ayrshire golf trip, it’s not the kind of place that you want to rush through. Paul McCartney understood this so well, he decided to buy a home here. The three courses of Kintyre can keep you occupied for days. Machrihanish Dunes is the newest of the bunch, and is billed as the “world’s most natural golf course.” It was also crafted by David McLay Kidd of Bandon Dunes fame. Nearby, Dunaverty is a journey to golf the way it used to be played. And then there’s the headliner of the trio: Machrihanish Golf Club. The opening tee shot of this Old Tom Morris golf course is why most make the trip to Kintyre, the rest of the course is why many choose to return.

For more insight on planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.

If you’re ready to experience Golf at its Finest with Haversham & Baker…

7 Things to See at Prestwick Golf Club

The Complete Guide to Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times

How Much Does a Golf Trip to Scotland Cost?

When is the Best Time of Year to Take a Scotland Golf Trip

5 Benefits of Custom Scotland Golf Packages

Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B

Golf has been played in East Lothian for nearly five centuries. The original rules of golf were written in East Lothian, and The Open Championship has been contested along its shores some 22 times. The combination of rich history and a number of bucket-list courses makes East Lothian one of the most popular destinations for Scotland golf trips. Muirfield, North Berwick, and Gullane Golf Club are the headliners here, but those willing to venture off the well worn path will find an abundance of great courses that are worthy of a place on the itinerary.

Here are seven such courses to consider during your golf trip to East Lothian.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Kilspindie owes its foundation to a little club politics. Nearly three decades after its formation, the Luffness Golf Club had outgrown its first course and sought to relocate to a new links nearby. An acrimonious split saw half of the membership leave to form the Luffness New Golf Club, while the remaining members renamed the club Kilspindie and moved to its present location. Like the nearby West Links at North Berwick Golf Club, the layout at Kilspindie defies convention in this modern era. The course measures to just 5500 yards, opens with a par-3, and features no less than eight par-4s of under 350 yards. And yet, despite what the numbers may say, Kilspindie has enchanted both members and visitors alike for over 125 years.

Credit: Kilspindie Golf Club

Dunbar Golf Club

Evidence shows that the Dunbar Golf Club dates to the heart of George Washington’s time as President, when 27 golfers established rules of play and formed the Dunbar Golfing Society in 1794. Dunbar is one of many golf courses designed by Old Tom Morris in the East Lothian region. The original course was just 15 holes and was later completely redesigned and extended by four-time Open Champion. From the 4th hole onward, the views are at times spectacular and the winds are at times daunting. At just over 6500 yards, those ever-changing winds are Dunbar’s primary defense, turning club selection into a rather delicate task. The stretch from the 11th through 13th is where the test will likely reach its crescendo, as the teeth of that prevailing wind, paired with a few wickedly slopped putting surfaces, makes par a rare commodity.

Credit: Dunbar Golf Club

Musselburgh Links

For the golf traveler who is looking to connect with the heritage of the game, Musselburgh Links is a must-visit while in East Lothian. The game has been played here since at least 1567, when Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have played it. The course is set almost entirely inside the local racetrack and is the former home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Musselburgh Links hosted The Open Championship on six occasions and was also home to golf’s first halfway house; Mrs. Forman’s which, sadly, is no more. For the full Musselburgh experience, your day here is best enjoyed by playing one round with your own clubs and another with a set of hickories which can be rented from the clubhouse.

The members of Coldstream Country Club and Summit Hills Country Club enjoy their visit at Musselburgh Links.

Craigielaw

Craigielaw opened in 2001 along the shores of Aberlady Bay. The course is what some might call a “hybrid-links.” Craigielaw is separated from the shoreline by the Kilspindie Golf Club next door, yet the winds off the bay still range from a constant annoyance to a downright gale. In addition to the wind, a collection of cavernous bunkers and challenging green complexes will test every aspect of your game. That difficulty is offset, however, by the outstanding views throughout the round. Although it is not flush against the shore, Craigielaw is built on higher ground, affording numerous inspiring panoramas across the bay to Gullane Hill.

Credit: Craigielaw Golf Club

The Renaissance Club

When The Renaissance Club debuted in 2008, the skeptics asserted that a modern course at a private club could never survive amongst the historic golf courses of East Lothian. Yet the first commission in Scotland for acclaimed designer Tom Doak quickly proved that, despite the odds, such a course can hold its own even with the likes of Muirfield and North Berwick as neighbors. Thanks to a land exchange with The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the addition of three new seaside holes has firmly cemented The Renaissance Club’s place in this golf rich region. So much so that The Renaissance Club has hosted three consecutive Scottish Opens and its days of being considered off the beaten path may well be numbered.

Credit: The Renaissance Club

Luffness New

As is quite common in this part of the world, the Luffness New Golf Club is anything but “new.” The original Luffness club was founded in 1867 and played over a course located on public land known as Gullane Common. The club was eventually forced off the public land and soon employed Old Tom Morris to design a course along the perimeter of Gullane Hill. While the marquee names along Scotland’s Golf Coast clamor to remain in good graces with the traveling golfer, Luffness New takes a more subtle approach. The course itself is also an understated affair. The ground moves subtly here, but is not without the occasional quirks common with links golf. Prudent, strategic play is the order of the day at Luffness New.

Credit: Luffness New Golf Club

Archerfield Links

The new kid on the block along Scotland’s Golf Coast, the Fidra Course at Archerfield Links debuted in 2004. Two years later, the Dirleton course joined the party. Both courses offer an enjoyable test of golf and have hosted their share of notable professional events. For many golf travelers, The Lodges at Archerfield Links are the main attraction, and serve as a comfortable home base for exploring the historic courses nearby. After checking-in, those looking to beat the jet-lag on the course certainly won’t have to travel far.

Credit: Archerfield Links

For more insight on planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.

If you’re ready to experience Golf at its Finest with Haversham & Baker…

7 Things to See at The North Berwick Golf Club

The Complete Guide to Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times

How Much Does a Golf Trip to Scotland Cost?

When is the Best Time of Year to Take a Scotland Golf Trip

5 Benefits of Custom Scotland Golf Packages

Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B