Golf the Legendary Courses on Your Scotland Golf Vacation
Keith Thompson
13c1 If you're planning a Scotland Golf Vacation, then make sure to at least book some of these legendary courses into your itenarary. Scotland is the birthplace of golf, and no trip there would be complete without visiting some of the famed links we've only heard about or seen on TV. Take the oppportunity to play some or all of these gems, and come home from your Scotland golf vacation with a clubhouse full of memories.

The Old Course at St. Andrews - A Scotland golf vacation must include a visit to the Old Course at St. Andrews. The site of 27 Open Championships, St. Andrews has been the scene for much of golf's history. Best estimates say that golf was being contested here 100 years before Columbus discovered America. Another interesting tidbit is that the course was originally 22 holes, unti 1764 when the Society of St. Andrews Golfers, the predecessor to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, decided to combine some holes and shorten the course to 18 holes, the standard number we play today. Much of St. Andrews is well-know: the 112 bunkers, including the imfamous pot bunkers; The Swilken Burn Bridge; the Road Hole, no. 17, one of the toughest holes in golf and the seven double greens, which sometimes require errant shots to the green to play a prodigious putt on greens that measure more than an acre in total size. Don't leave St. Andrews off your Scotland golf vacation: you'll regret it!

Carnoustie - The second oldest course in Scotland, dating from the 1500's, Carnoustie has developed a reputation for toughness second to none in Scottish golf. The list of Open winners on championshisp contested here reads like a who's who of golf: Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Tom Watson and the latest, Pual Lawrie in 1999. A long links course at 7368 yards from the tips, Carnoustie demands length and accuracy off every tee. And if that wasn't enough, the wind and rain play a significant role in any round. One of the more famous holes is the par 5 sixth hole, which is known as Hogan's Alley for his birdie/birdie finish on the 36-hole final day of the '53 Open. A Scotland golf vacation must include Carnoustie!

Gleneagles - A most friendly golf complex of four courses, Glenagles has long been a favorite among those who truly love the game of golf. Home of the PGA Centenary golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and home to the Ryder Cup Championships in 2014, PGA Centenary was called by Nicklaus the finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with. A longish course at 7081 yards, it nevertheless demands pinpoint accuracy and is a prime example of target golf, thus avoiding the numerous ponds and streams as well as both pot bunkers and American style sand traps. A longtime favorite of Bob Hope, Glenagles is a treasured stop on your Scotland golf vacation.

Muirfield - The very name of Muirfield included in your Scotland golf vacation should raise the heart rate a few notches. Past Open winners here include the likes of Vardon, Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson and Faldo. A stern test of golf in every resepct, Muirfield also boasts the oldest golf club, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, with rolls dating back to 1744. Often bestowed the with honor of being the finest course in not only Scotland but the entire British Ilses, Muirfield brings a combination of history and incredible golf that would make any Scotland golf vacation one for the ages.

Royal Troon Golf Club - A true test of golf, Royal Troon has seen it's share of legends hoist the Claret Jug: Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavechia and Justin Leonard have won here. Wind is the story here at Troon. And while the front side presents numerous scoring opportunities, the wind can wreak havoc with those plans. The back side is just plain hard. So make hay on the front side if you can. One of the most famous holes in golf is located here, the eighth hole, measuring a wee 126 yards, is known the world over as the Postage Stamp. Include Royal Troon on any Scotland golf vacation.

Turnberry - Possibly the most scenic of Scotland golf vacation stops, Turnberry has been called the Pebble beach of the British Isles. And when you factor in the weather, that rings true. A bewitching combination of great golf and magnificent views, such as the castle of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's King from 1306 to 1329, lying off the 9th and 10th holes, make playing this tough course an even more challenging task. The site of several stirring Opens, the most memorable being the famous Nicklaus/Watson battle in 1977. Be sure to include Turnberry as one of your stops on your Scotland golf vacation.

While there is much more great golf to be found on lesser known tracks, these legends are what has given Scotland most of it's lore and charm. Try to visit as many of these as you can on your next Scotland golf vacation!