of the world's most cherished and highly ranked golf courses where everyone is welcome to play. Indeed, the Old Course along with all seven of the Links Trust clubs in St Andrews are public courses and while many of the other marquee clubs are private they welcome visitor play on certain days of the week   Better yet, Scottish golf is wonderfully accessible. The clubs are clustered, frequently allowing you to select one or two hotels convenient to your golf. On the west, Ayrshire Coast, you'll find Trump Turnberry with the magnificently remodeled Ailsa Course along with Royal Troon, Western Gailes and a throwback among the throwbacks – Prestwick – where the first Open Championship was held in 1860. For those with the deepest love of links golf, there is The Machrie, Machrihanish plus impressive new comer Machrihanish Dunes all found across the Firth of Clyde on the Mull of Kintyre. Not only would a visit distinguish the career of any traveling golfer, it is also an opportunity to explore one of Scotland’s most famous whisky distilling regions.

On the east coast, in the Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews is flush with seven courses in and around town as part of the Links Trust beginning with the Old Course which PerryGolf proudly arranges as one of a select number of golf tour operators participating in the St Andrews Links Authorized Provider program. Highly respected Kingsbarns is found 10 minutes south of town, near Crail, and just beyond the Fairmont St Andrews with The Kittocks and The Torrance courses. Less than an hour north of St Andrews is seven time Open host Carnoustie along with Panmure Montrose and Monifieth. An hour northwest is renowned Gleneagles Hotel, one of the world’s most respected golf and spa resorts and home to some of James Braid’s and Jack Nicklaus’ finest work including his PGA Centenary Course which played host to 2014 Ryder Cup.

The Scottish Highlands is home to famous Royal Dornoch, whose plateau greens are a trademark design feature that Donald Ross took from his home course and used on many of his classic designs in the States. Near Inverness is the exceptional Castle Stuart, a Mark Parsinen – Gil Hanse collaboration voted the best new course in the world in 2009 by Golf Magazine. Nairn, Dunbar, Brora, Moray and Tain are longstanding “hidden gems” enjoyed by northern visitors who are also certain to enjoy Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay on the way up or back plus the striking Trump International Scotland.

Less than two hours south of St Andrews, is East Lothian, where you will find yet another assortment of clubs representing the essence of links golf. Open Championship host Muirfield, Gullane’s three courses, North Berwick, Dunbar, and Cragielaw are situated in succession along the coast east of Edinburgh each with histories reaching back to the roots of the game.

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