Golf is to the Scots what wine is to the French, and being an aficionado of both, I opine that Scotland has as many golf courses as France has vineyards. There are hundreds, ranging from links to parkland, ancient to new, spectacular to wholly ordinary, exclusive to public. The casual golf traveler could never play all the Scottish courses in a lifetime and probably not return often enough (though we would like that) even to play all the courses one should play. So many alluring courses, so little time to spend a vacation holiday. How to proceed?

Over the years, vacation reports from hundreds of our travelers have taught us that there are four Scottish golfing experiences that stand above all the rest. While these four are in four different regions, stretching the length and breadth of Scotland, each is near other fine golf courses (some famous, some lesser known), which the avid golfer should investigate. The Highlands, the most beautiful part of Scotland, are noted for snow-capped mountains, rushing trout streams, bracken-filled glens, superb malt whisky, cheerful and helpful inhabitants, and a plethora of peerless links courses. The best of these is Royal Dornoch Golf Club, a wonderfully natural course that appears more discovered than designed. One hour north of Inverness, the course is situated in the seaside village of Dornoch, Scotland, quintessentially Scottish and absolutely charming. (So much so that one suspects it to be the work of the Scottish Tour Board.)

St. Andrews Old Course on the east coast in the Kingdom of Fife is truly incomparable. There is no excitement in golf like driving brilliantly away on the first tee in front of the R&A clubhouse, or challenging the famous Road Hole whose boundary markers are the grounds of the Old Course Hotel, or walking up eighteen, trying to appear nonchalant as one is studied (or so it seems) by the press of perpetual spectators lounging about the green.

There is no better experience for the dedicated golfer than a day at Muirfield in East Lothian near Edinburgh in Scotland. Muirfield is the world's oldest golf club, home to the original 13 rules of golf, and it exudes tradition and history. The subtle design of the course, the clubhouse adorned with centuries-old trophies and original paintings (whose copies hang in other clubhouses throughout the world), the best lunch in Scotland, consumed in jacket and tie under the watchful gaze of past club captains staring forth from their pictures on the dining room walls, the afternoon foursomes where the alternate shot format permits 18 holes of play in well less than three hours. All of this is unique, truly unique.

The elegant and world famous golf resort and spa at Turnberry on the west coast south of Glasgow boasts two superb courses in a breathtaking seaside setting. Playing the last holes of the famed Ailsa course in the late afternoon while the strains of a bagpipe drift over the links, and afterwards enjoying a traditional Scottish banquet begun with the recitation by the wee piper himself of a few lines of poetry by the great Robert Burns, have been memorable experiences for many of our members ending their VIP golf holiday with us.

An aggressive itinerary will allow one to visit all four areas in only eight days. Many find it more enjoyable and relaxing, however, to take one's time and explore thoroughly just two or three regions, saving the rest for a later excursion. Or one can simply stay longer than eight days, a most appealing notion.

Major Basil Haversham, OBE
Your guide to the greatest golf holidays in Scotland