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The Best Scottish Open Venues

By: Golfshake Editor | Mon 05 Jul 2021


First played during the inaugural European Tour season in 1972, the Scottish Open has gradually developed into one of the most revered events on the calendar, a process that was accelerated when the tournament was relaunched at Gleneagles in the 1980s, establishing a lofty status that was further enhanced during a lengthy stint at the stunning Loch Lomond Golf Club.

Preceding the Open Championship each July, since 2011, the Scottish Open has been rotated around the nation, offering links-style golf for the world's best players ahead of their pursuit of the Claret Jug. It's a strategy that has drawn success - most notably when Phil Mickelson won the Scottish and Open Championship back-to-back in 2013.

From Haggs Castle to St Andrews, Royal Aberdeen and Gullane, the chosen venues for the Scottish Open have been diverse, but typically of an extremely high quality, as you would expect from the Home of Golf.

Taking a closer look at each of the 11 hosts, we share their unique Golfshake Rating, and direct you towards some truly unforgettable experiences in Scotland.

St Andrews Links

St Andrews Links

Location: Fife

Years Hosted: 1973

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Standing on the first tee where all the greats in golf have stood before, the history just oozes everywhere. That first tee shot and the feeling of fear as other golfers and general public watch you gets the blood pumping and all you hope for is to get a good connection and it goes down the fairway."

See Full Golfshake Feature Review


Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

Royal Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeenshire

Years Hosted: 2014

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "An incredible course with the first nine in amazing dunes and the back nine into the wind on a plateau. Simply a must play."


Loch Lomond Golf Club

Loch Lomond

Location: Argyll & Bute

Years Hosted: 1996-2010

Golfshake Rating: 4.89

Review Comment: "The course is superb, the location is magnificent and the overall experience is better!"

See Full Golfshake Feature Review


Gullane Golf Club

Gullane

Location: East Lothian

Years Hosted: 2015, 2018

Golfshake Rating: 4.81

Review Comment: "One of the best courses in the UK with unbelievable views of the surrounding areas."

See Full Golfshake Feature Review


Gleneagles

Gleneagles

Location: Perthshire

Years Hosted: 1987-1994

Golfshake Rating: 4.80

Review Comment: "This is always a pleasure to play, immaculate condition, great layout, amazing facilities and service is at the highest level, not comparable at any other resort course in Scotland."


Castle Stuart Golf Links

Castle Stuart Golf Links

Location: Highlands

Years Hosted: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016

Golfshake Rating: 4.78

Review Comment: "Really nice modern links, lovely clubhouse. Really well designed, the holes on the high ground feel like you're right on the estuary due to the drop to the lower holes, clever design."


The Renaissance Club

The Renaissance Club

Location: East Lothian

Years Hosted: 2019, 2020, 2021

Golfshake Rating: 4.71

Review Comment: "The whole experience is fantastic, you get a very warm welcome in the stunning clubhouse. The course is like a hybrid links and was very challenging into the wind."


Downfield Golf Club

Downfield

Location: Dundee

Years Hosted: 1972

Golfshake Rating: 4.51

Review Comment: "Such a great course, definitely recommend and plays great. Don’t miss a chance of a game on Downfield if you are in the area."


Carnoustie Golf Links

Carnoustie Golf Links

Location: Angus

Years Hosted: 1995, 1996

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Review Comment: "Carnoustie is a tough course, especially if the wind is into you from the first tee. Challenges on every hole, but a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience."

See Full Golfshake Feature Review


Dundonald Links

Dundonald Links

Location: Ayrshire

Years Hosted: 2017

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Review Comment: "Stunning championship links course with some great views."

See Full Golfshake Feature Review


Haggs Castle Golf Club

Haggs Castle

Location: Glasgow

Years Hosted: 1986

Golfshake Rating: 4.33

Review Comment: "Great course, fantastic staff and great value for money."


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Tags: Scottish Open Scotland Golf Courses european tour daily picks Courses



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