traveldk.com

Every golfer dreams of playing here. There are seven courses, including, most famous of all, the Old Course. Book months in advance or take your chance in the lottery for unreserved places held the day before. Fit in a visit to the Golf Museum too. The plush restaurant at the Old Course Hotel is listed on page 89.

A delightful course, the superb links and great character of which have earned it a world-class reputation. You’ll need to present your handicap certificate to play here and reserve your tee in advance, but there are two other good links if you don’t get on the main one. It’s best to avoid the busy weekends throughout the year.

Another legendary group of courses, in beautiful moorland attached to a luxurious hotel. Queen’s Course is the shortest, then comes King’s and finally Monarch’s, a marathon 6,475 m (7,081 yards). No handicap certificates required. Andrew Fairlie’s delectable restaurant is listed on pages 65 & 89.

Almost every blade of grass in this corner of East Lothian is dedicated to golf. Muirfield is the elite course but a private club. Gullane No. 1 is open to anyone (handicap certificate required), while Nos 2 and 3 have no restrictions. If Gullane’s crowded then it’s a short drive (by car) to North Berwick, Haddington or Aberlady, and seven more top courses.

Despite its name, it’s well down the coast from Glasgow and is considered one of the finest sea-edge courses. Great open vistas and fairways lined with heather add to its challenging holes. Western Gailes runs alongside and shares all the qualities of its more famous neighbour.

Among the six courses here there’s one for everyone, from Fullarton’s fun course for beginners to the classics such as Darley and Portland. But the best is the Old Course, a vintage Open venue. Apply well in advance (but no women allowed).

New courses come and steal the limelight but Old Prestwick glows as an enduring favourite. In 1860 it was the first venue for the British Open Championship, and it remains a challenging course. One of Scotland’s most venerated. Very busy, especially at weekends.

Situated on the Ayrshire coast, the Ailsa Course has tested all the world’s great players. A brand new course, the Arran, has just opened. Access is difficult unless you stay at the hotel. For expert tuition and a review of your game, contact the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy, the multi-million-pound addition to the hotel.

The two championship courses here boast the finest greens in Scotland. The Nairn has a distinguished record of hosting major tournaments but also has a nine-hole course, the Newton, for holiday golfers. Nairn Dunbar is the other top-notch course.

Ranked in the top ten courses in Britain, the Championship Course has 18 pristine holes. It was laid out by Tom Morris in 1877 and follows the natural contours of the dunes around Dornoch Bay. A wonderful setting and less pressurized than other quality links.