Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 1 on 5/3/2002.

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Missing Links

The game of Kings has its roots firmly established in Scotland, which is home to some of the World's finest courses. Hugh Dodd takes us a round...

It is impossible to play golf in Scotland without becoming quickly aware of the history of the game. There is hardly a Scottish links course that is not at least a century old with an established past and clubhouse full of tradition seeping out of every trophy cabinet.

In 1764, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world’s first golfing club, was established and was soon followed by the Golfers of St Andrews and then Aberdeen Golf Club (1780), Crail (1786) and Bruntsfield (Edinburgh, 1787). A multitude of others quickly followed, designed and developed by such luminaries as Tom Morris, Baird, Ross, Mackenzie and Colt. There are well over 430 golf courses in Scotland and many are household names and of the finest championship standard. The Open has in the past been played at Prestwick, St Andrews, Turnberry, Troon, Carnoustie and will again this year be held at Muirfield (home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers). The latter is highly regarded as the best golf course in the UK and, many would say, in the world.

Stand on the first tee at St Andrews or on the Swilken Bridge at the 18th and the history of the place is palpable. Gleneagles in the Highlands boasts The Kings, Queens and Monarch courses, all championship quality. To the north and west of Glasgow is the glorious Loch Lomond set in the Luss Estate, pristinely laid out by the professional golfer, Tom Weiskopf. To the far north, beyond Inverness, lies the purist’s delight, Royal Dornoch, one of t.....

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By Hugh Dodd

Section : Scottish Golf

Page number : 64