www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 1

3 Scotland: The original and best

4 Ryder Cup: Gleneagles awaits

6 Resorts: Starring Turnberry

8 The Highlands & Perthshire

10 Fife & Angus: Cradle of golf

12 East Lothian: Unbroken links

14 Ayrshire & Borders

InsIde the guIde:

the great golf guIde 2014THE LOWDOWN ON GOLF IN

SCOTLANDWhere to play and where to stay for

the ultimate trip this year

TURNBERRY RESORT 5★

AYRSHIREPlay at: Ailsa & Kintyre • 1 in 8 FREE • FREE Upgrade

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GLENEAGLES 5★

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ST ANDREWS TOUR 5★

ST ANDREWSPlay at: Kingsbarns, Torrance, Kittocks Stay at: Fairmont St Andrews

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from £449was £585

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EAST LOTHIAN TOUR 4★

ABERLADYPlay at: Craigielaw, Longniddry, Kilspindie Stay at: Craigielaw Lodge • 1 in 12 FREE • FREE use of Driving range and Par 3 course • FREE bottle of whisky for groups 8+

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EXPERIENCE THE HOME OF GOLF

Saving golfers time and money

Call us on 0845 543 664 Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-3pm

Or visitCorporate Partner

Golfbreaks - 203 x 265 Scotland Advert March 2014.indd 1 07/03/2014 16:21

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | APRIL 2014 1

ith hundreds of courses to suit all standards and pockets – and a

golfing heritage that cannot be matched – Scotland really is the dream ticket for golfers.

From Open venues and ancient links to modern parklands, hidden gems and luxury resorts, the range of golf Scotland has to offer is quite amazing.

We’ve teamed up with VisitScotland to create a selection of the finest tours and packages imaginable, taking in world-famous regions such as Fife, East Lothian, Ayrshire and the Highlands to name but a few.

So if you are thinking about a

golf break in Scotland why not let Golfbreaks.com help you to plan your perfect trip?

From organising your golf and accommodation to booking airport transfers and hire cars, we take care of everything, leaving you to savour the prospect of the trip of a lifetime

to the Home of Golf. Away from the golf course,

Scotland has so much more to offer visitors, from whisky distilleries and award-winning cuisine to stunning beaches and vibrant cities.

Why not stay an extra day or two and enjoy some of the many

off-course attractions? Getting there by air, road or

rail couldn’t be easier, and with The Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles in September, 2014 is the perfect year to take a trip to this very special golf destination.

We’re here to save you time and money, so why not give our experienced and dedicated sales team a call on 0845 543 664 to find you the very best deal?

WelcomeIs there really anywhere else you would rather be this summer?

W

DornochThe 2nd at the Highlands gem

The GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland

There are many ways to get to Scotland and start enjoying the golf and the hospitality and start creating memories that will live with you forever:

By rail: Sit back and relax on a direct train to Glasgow or edinburgh from main cities including london, Birmingham, manchester, Newcastle and York.

By road: Throw all the gear in the car and head up the A1, or the m6, A74(m) and m74 from the South.

By air: Reach Scotland’s four main airports in around an hour from most regional and city airports across the UK. All are well served by a wide range of airlines.

GETTING TO YOUR UNFORGETTABLE GOLF BREAK IN SCOTLAND...

Andrew Stanley, CEO

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

The GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | The 2014 Ryder Cup

Many more great value breaks available online at

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

GleneaGles ready for Golf’s Greatest showPut the last week of September into your

diary – and block out the weekend

oW can it be that the country which gave the world golf can have hosted its

greatest event, the Ryder Cup, on only one occasion?

Incredibly, Muirfield in 1973 is currently the only time the biennial transatlantic showdown has come to Scotland.

That will all change later this year when Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Co arrive at Gleneagles under the leadership of no less than Tom Watson, determined to regain possession of a trophy they have raised aloft after only one of the last six matches.

They face quite a task, because while the exact composition of the home team will not be known until August, it will be, on paper at least, an exceptionally strong one.

There may be a changing of the guard, with the likes of France’s Victor Dubuisson, who won the hearts of many

when he came so close to defeating Jason Day in the WGC Matchplay final in Arizona, demanding inclusion.

It is unthinkable that Europe will not be led in spirit by the remarkable Ian Poulter, with Major champions Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose also prominent.

It will be an incredible week – if one where the usual tranquility of Perthshire will be somewhat disturbed. And even if you haven’t managed to acquire a precious ticket, play and stay deals are still available locally so you can be a part of it.

h

or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

Gleneaglesthe PGa Centenary course

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

oU can stay in real style in Scotland – and you won’t even have to leave

the property to play some of the country’s finest courses.

The two obvious places to start are Turnberry and Gleneagles – and you might be surprised by how affordable these iconic venues can be.

The former hosted The open as recently as 2009 and as well as the legendary Ailsa you can also tackle the Kintyre. As for the accommodation, whether in the form of the famous clay-tiled hotel or new appartments opposite the clubhouse, you will be staying in real style. Enjoy a drink in the Ailsa Bar before experiencing fine-dining in the 1906 Restaurant, from where you can watch the sun set over Ailsa Craig and Arran.

At Gleneagles, September’s Ryder Cup venue, there are three world-class courses: the Jack Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary, over which The Ryder Cup will be played, the King’s and Queen’s. off the course, Gleneagles enjoys a global reputation for opulence and Scottish elegance. With a spa, shops and every conceivable leisure facility, you simply will not want to leave.

There are many more resorts to choose from elsewhere.

Near the Auld Grey Toun is Fairmont St Andrews, equipped with two fine courses.

outside Glasgow is Mar Hall and in Peebles Macdonald Cardrona. or for something slightly different, head for the remote Kintyre Peninsula and Machrihanish Dunes’ award-winning Ugadale Hotel. There is a summer ferry here from Ardrossan.

Take our word for it – it’s worth every mile of the trip.

the ReSORtSWhere to play and stay in real style

YThe GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | Resorts

Turnberry resorT 5★

AyrshireStay in the world-famous hotel or neighbouring lodges and gaze out towards Ailsa Craig

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GleneAGles 5★

PerThshireThis year’s Ryder Cup host venue has three magnificent courses and a world-class hotel

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £465was £595

sAVe22%

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• free upgrade

MAr hAll 5★

GlAsGowThis five-star resort is conveniently close to Glasgow Airport and the Earl of Mar course is a gem

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Gleneaglesthe hotel at the Perthshire resort

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

MArrioTT DAlMAhoy 4★

eDinburGhOn the outskirts of Edinburgh close to the city’s airport, Dalmahoy has hosted the Solheim Cup

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wesTerwooD resorT 4★

CuMbernAulDThis Q Hotels resort is between Glasgow and Stirling and also boasts a pool, gym and spa

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now £175was £264

sAVe34%

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fAirMonT sT AnDrews 5★

sT AnDrewsJust outside the famous old town is this modern, international resort where luxury comes as standard

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CAMeron house 5★

loCh loMonDOn the banks of Loch Lomond, you can stay in style at this De Vere and enjoy the Carrick course

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £265was £369

sAVe28%

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Green hoTel 4★

PerThshireSet in Kinross in the heart of the Perthshire countryside, there are two courses on site

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MACDonAlD CArDronA 4★

PeeblesThe classic designs of the Macdonald Cardrona’s guestrooms feel spacious and welcoming

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• 20% off F&B• 1 in 8 free

uGADAle hoTelMAChrihAnish Dunes 4★

MAChrihAnish, ArGyllThe Kintyre Peninsula is an unforgettable experience

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• £50 Pro Shop voucher for groups 8+• 1 in 8 free

or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

The GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | The North & Perthshire

HEN travelling to Scotland on a golf holiday it is entirely natural to make a

beeline for St Andrews and the Kingdom of Fife.

We would urge you to show a little more patience and instead keep travelling north up the A9 that cuts through the Cairngorms to Inverness.

Not only will you be richly rewarded with what must be one of the most spectacular drives in Britain but there is also some truly special golf just waiting to be discovered.

It is also surprisingly accessible. Most famously, if you continue north upon reaching Inverness, an hour later you can be in Dornoch.

This small town is utterly consumed by golf and the championship links course is simply a national treasure. Within easy reach are the likes of Skibo Castle, Brora, Golspie and Tain.

Alternatively, head east from Inverness and experience the joys of the Moray Firth. The highlight for many is the recent Scottish Open host Castle Stuart, while traditionalists will tell you that Nairn has the edge.

Stay in the promisingly named Golf View Hotel to tackle either or both.

Just down the coast, in Lossiemouth, are Moray’s two courses – both pure links and quintessentially Scottish. Further east still is the golf-rich city of Aberdeen. Trump International, rightly, is acquiring a stellar reputation while Cruden Bay and Murcar are each over a century old and Royal Aberdeen hosts July’s Scottish Open.

The norThSensational links courses and the home of whisky

W

Play at: Castle stuart, NairNDuNbar, Fortrose & rosemarkieiNverNessStay at: Kingsmills Hotel 4★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £345was £419

save18%

Play at: NairN, royal DorNoCh, NairN DuNbarNairNStay at: Golf View Hotel 3★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £379was £439

save14%

Play at: royal aberDeeN, murCarCruDeN bayaberDeeNStay at: Marriott Aberdeen 4★ • 1 in 12 stay Free

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now £365was £439

save16%

“Experience the joys of the Moray Firth to the east of Inverness”

Many more great value breaks available online at

Castle StuartStunning new course near Inverness

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

COTLAND is rightly synonymous with links golf but it should not be

overlooked that there is also plenty of the inland variety that is pretty special too.

Perthshire is the very heart of the country and it is here The Ryder Cup will be decided in September at Gleneagles.

It goes without saying that tee times on any of the three wonderful courses will be in great demand in this year of years for Scottish golf, so let us instead concentrate on the treasures nearby.

It is only right to start with Blairgowrie, host of the Junior Ryder Cup, and its high-class Rosemount and Lansdowne courses. The former was the venue for Greg Norman’s first professional victory and winds its way mellifluously through Scotch pines, heather and Silver Birches.

The latter is a much newer layout, only opening in the late 1970s and designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas.It was good enough to host the Scottish Amateur in 2011 and should be considered an equal of the Rosemount.

Crieff is shorter, a little more gentle and is played across

rolling parkland. There are some excellent bases for a trip to this part of Scotland and Murrayshall House Hotel is certainly one of them. Located just to the north of Perth, close to Scone, it is a 300-year-old house with 41 well-appointed rooms. There are two delightful courses on-site here – the Murrayshall and the more recent Lynedoch.

PerThShIreGleneagles is the star, Blairgowrie and Crieff are special

S

Perthshire tour 3★

PerthshirePlay at: Blairgowrie, Crieff, GlenislaStay at: Mercure Perth • 1 in 8 Free

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £215was £265

save19%

Play at: lyNDoCh, murrayshallPerthshireStay at: Murrayshall Hotel 4★

• 1 in 12 stay Free

2 nights’ dinner B&B3 rounds

now £251was £265

Perthshire tour 4★

PerthshirePlay at: Murrayshall, Downfield, PitlochryStay at: Murrayshall Hotel

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £249was £295

save16%

“Blairgowrie was the venue for Greg Norman’s first win”

or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

Blairgowrieone of Perthshire’s finest

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

HERE to start? It would be stretching the point to say that you could go to the

east coast and play a different course every day for a year...but you would certainly have enormous fun trying.

The Fife and Angus coasts are a cradle of the game – from Open Championship venues the Old Course and Carnoustie to modern classics like Kingsbarns, it is simply as good as golf gets.

The only place to start is St Andrews and while the Old Course needs no introduction, too few golfers realise that this single patch of unbroken linksland has a total of 99 holes laid out over it – also including the New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum and nine-

hole Balgove.That is before you have even considered the spectacular Castle Course that is a mile or so outside the town with views over the Auld Grey Toun, or the Duke’s, an ever-improving championship course in its own right.

Travel a few miles down the coast from St Andrews to take in the likes of Kingsbarns, Leven, Lundin, Elie and Crail – the choice is almost too much.

You can also stay at Fairmont St Andrews, next door to the Castle Course and play the comparatively new Torrance and Kittocks layouts.

Criminally under-appreciated is Angus, just across the Tay from Fife to the north, and home to arguably an even better collection of traditional links courses in the shape of

Carnoustie, Panmure, Montrose and Monifieth.

All offer wonderful links conditions of firm, fast-running fairways, some punitive bunkering and true, smooth-running greens.

Indeed, there are 54 holes at Carnoustie alone, with the Burnside and newly revamped Buddon well worth a visit.

FiFe & angusSt Andrews, Carnoustie and much more besides

WThe GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | Fife & Angus

St AndrewS tour 5★

St AndrewSPlay at: Kingsbarns, Torrance, KittocksStay at: Fairmont St Andrews

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £449was £585

SAVe23%

“Angus has wonderful links with firm, fast-running fairways and punitive bunkering”

Many more great value breaks available online at

KingsbarnsFife’s modern classic is stunning

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

PlAy At: CrAil, lundin linkS,elie linkSABerlAdyStay at: Ogstons Hotel 3★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £299was £389

SAVe23%

PlAy At: CArnouStie ChAmPionShiP,PAnmure, monifiethdundeeStay at: Apex Dundee 4★

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now £349was £399

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or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

HERE could you possibly be playing to find yourself in view of the

Firth of Forth scratching your head trying to work out how to negotiate a stone wall between you and the flag that divides the fairway from the green?

There is only one answer to that question – North Berwick’s West Links. Many have fallen in love with this occasionally outrageous old course and indeed the region to the east of Edinburgh as a whole.

Whisper it quietly, but there is a school of thought that East Lothian, a region known as Scotland’s Golf Coast, has even more to offer than St Andrews.

Certainly, for most of us it is more accessible. And starting at Musselburgh, in Edinburgh’s eastern suburbs, you could go all the way along the coast to Dunbar, 30 miles away, playing from one course to the next.

The most famous course in the area is Muirfield, host venue for last summer’s Open Championship so memorably won by Phil Mickelson. Arguably the most enjoyable to play is Kilspindie, which is also one of the shortest.

The sea is never out of view and high and low-handicappers alike have the chance to mark down a few three-pointers before retiring to the wonderful old clubhouse.

Kilspindie is a mere stone’s throw from Gullane, and its three timeless links, while the wonderful new Tom Doak-designed Renaissance is close by.

Stay at the Marine Hotel in North Berwick if you prefer a base that is fully equipped, or opt for an intimate guesthouse. Two of the best are Ducks, in Aberlady, where you can also eat well, and North Berwick’s No 12 Quality Street. Or stay at Craigielaw’s new lodge and play on site – a modern links of the same name is waiting for you.

East LothianIt might just be the country’s richest golfing region

WThe GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | East Lothian

Play at: North Berwick westliNks, GullaNe No.1, kilsPiNdieayrStay at: Ducks Hotel 3★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £339was £379

saVe11%

“There is a school of thought East Lothian has even more to offer than St Andrews”

Many more great value breaks available online at

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

Play at: duNBar, GleN GcGullaNe No.2aBerladyStay at: 12 Quality Street 3★

2 nights’ dinner B&B3 rounds

now £279was £365

saVe24%

Play at: craiGielaw, loNGNiddry,kilsPiNdieaBerladyStay at: Craigielaw Lodge 4★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £259was £309

saVe16%

• 1 in 12 FREE• FREE use of Driving range and Par 3 course• FREE bottle of whisky for groups 8+

or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

RenaissanceEast Lothian’s newest treat

2 JULY 2014 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

The GreaT Golf Guide | Scotland | Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders

HERE are many parts of Scotland that demand a return trip to get

round all the courses. You could visit Ayrshire on three occasions and tackle a different Open venue on each one.

The courses in question could hardly be more different. Prestwick is in many ways a museum piece, a shrine to the days 150 years ago when it hosted the first Open – and indeed 23 further ones between then and 1925. Not even its fondest admirers would deny that several of its holes present a challenge far removed from those on newer courses.

By contrast the first Open to be played at Turnberry was not until 1977 – the unforgettable Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.

The third venue is Royal Troon, where the Open will next return in 2016, some 12 years since Todd Hamilton defeated Ernie Els in a play-off.

There is much, much more besides. In the Irvine area alone are Western Gailes, Gailes Links, Irvine Bogside, Kilmarnock Barassie and Dundonald, a modern links that may lack the views of Kingsbarns but is arguably a better layout.

Troon is a great base for any trip to the area, well stocked with pubs, bars and restaurants. Try the South Beach Hotel or Barcelo Troon if you would like to stay in comfort and style.

Alternatively, in nearby Ayr, the Mercure Ayr is centrally located and gives easy access to all of the above plus the likes of Belleisle, Lochgreen and Darley.

AyrshireThere are no fewer than three Open venues on this coast

T

Play at: Western Gailes, Gaileslinks, DunDonalD linkstroonStay at: Barvelo Troon 4★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £315was £349

saVe10%

Play at: irVine BoGsiDekilmarnock, DunDonalD linkstroonStay at: South Beach Hotel 4★

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £239was £279

saVe14%

Play at: Belleisle, lochGreen,DarleyayrStay at: Mercure Ayr 3★ • 1 in 8 stay free

2 nights’ dinner B&B2 rounds

now £155was £199

saVe22%

“Dundonald is arguably a better layout than Kingsbarns”

Many more great value breaks available online at

DundonaldThe latest great Ayrshire links

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 3

HE closest that many golfers get to playing in Dumfries & Galloway is

while en route to the Ayrshire coast, with all its myriad golfing attractions.

Similarly, the Borders is too often circumnavigated by those heading for East Lothian and Fife via Edinburgh.

In both cases, this is a real shame. Partly because there is some fine golf to experience and also on account of their being such attractive regions.

In terms of courses, the star is surely the region’s only true links, Southerness, which stands on the Solway Firth. Simple and uncomplicated, the turf here is firm and the greens true. It really is a fine test of your game.

The premier resort in this area is certainly The Roxburghe, a 22-room hotel in the form of a castle. As for the course, designed in the 1990s by the late Dave Thomas, this is a

rolling, tactically demanding layout with some spectacular views that represents modern course architecture at its best.

To experience Dumfries & Galloway, we suggest staying at the Aston Hotel, a mile away from the centre of the town. From here you have

easy access to the remote, challenging and rugged Southerness as well as the likes of Powfoot and Dumfries & County.

Southerness was designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross, shortly after the Second World War, during an age when courses were laid out, rather than created.

Dumfries& BorDersDo not overlook this charming and pretty part of the country

T

Play at: Dumfries & countysilloth, moffatDumfriesStay at: Aston Hotel 4★ • 1 in 12 stay free

2 nights’ dinner B&B3 rounds

now £205was £255

saVe20%

roxBurGhekelsoStay at: Roxburghe Hotel 4★

2 nights’ B&B2 rounds

now £260was £260

“There is some fine golf in both these attractive regions”

Dumfries finest 4★

DumfriesPlay at: Southerness, Powfoot, Dumfries & County Stay at: Aston Hotel

2 nights’ B&B3 rounds

now £219was £249

saVe12%

or call us on 0845 543 664 – we’re open 7 days a week

southernessDumfries & Galloway’s finest course

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JULY 2014 1

Call free on 0845 543 6674Monday – Friday 8am – 9pm, Sunday 9am – 3pm

Email sales@golfbreaks.comOr visit Golfbreaks.com

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The GreaT Golf Guide 2014