Scottish golf is much more than only links courses

For many visiting golfers, the aim would be to play as most of the British Open courses because they can, filling their calendar along with other links layouts that suit in to the schedule. There is nothing wrong with this — Scotland has got the best links courses on the planet, however if you simply limit you to ultimately only links layouts, you’re experiencing only one facet of Scottish golf.

Besides Scotland possess the best links courses, it is also fortunate with lots of extraordinarily good inland courses just like the hyperlinks, every one has a clearly Scottish character, bearing no resemblance to American courses whatsoever. Include a couple of of those inside your itinerary and you will rapidly obtain a new respect and appreciation of these frequently unsung heroes of Scottish golf.

Playing only windblown links courses throughout a 1 week-lengthy trip is definitely an exhausting undertaking for the youngest and fittest people. You won’t just be walking the courses while battling a few of the toughest layouts recognized to the sport, additionally, you will be combating the wind that’s a lot an element of the links game. Winds howling in in the North Ocean at 30 or 40 miles per hour will put on players out very quickly whatsoever and if this sounds like the fifth or sixth links performed on consecutive days, it’ll happen faster than that.

People that did this before will frequently play an inland course in the center of the trip, giving themselves a rest from links wind-battering. The therapeutic advantages of a round performed in relative wind-free calm isn’t just a enjoyable break and refreshing, it is also a period to publish a good score, regaining a bit of the self-confidence individuals seaside tracks might have depleted.

Don’t believe Scotland’s inland classes are missing within the challenge department, because the simple truth is just the opposite. There’s valid reason why Gleneagles Nobleman Course, perhaps Scotland’s best inland layout, supports the high, no. 30 position number within the ranking from the best players courses throughout Britain and Ireland. If you are still doubtful, consider selecting another Gleneagles course, The PGA Centenary Course, as venue for that 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, the most difficult and many important event in the whole world of golf.

But Scotland’s high quality inland layouts aren’t restricted to just the Gleneagles moorland courses — they’re located across the nation and also the best are readily accessible up to the more famous links courses. Just see this sampling of the couple of special inland gems, situated around Scotland’s capital of golf, St. Andrews.

No golf visit to Scotland can be complete without remaining a minimum of a couple of days in St. Andrews where golf permeates the air you breathe. It is a pilgrimage every golfer must make a minimum of once-in-a-lifetime, but when sampled, you will be back over and over and before lengthy, treating this as the hometown. Although links golf rules in St. Andrews, there’s a couple of highly considered inland layouts which will please the most jaded golf traveler and towards the top of their email list may be the Dukes Course.

Located a brief 5 minute drive in the five star, Old Course Hotel that operates and owns the program, the initial design, opened up in 1995, was by 5 time British Open champion, Peter Thomson. A comprehensive refurbishment by Tom Liddy has lately introduced the program to some full championship standard and earned it a location on &quotThe Best 100 Courses in great britan and Ireland&quot rankings.

Sitting high above St. Andrews, with stunning views in each and every direction, The Dukes is really a extended, 7,300 yard, big hitters delight along with a golfing test to please any serious player. This is an intelligent design that’s both difficult and strikingly handsome, certain to convince any doubting Thomas that Scottish inland golf is much more exciting compared to what they had ever imagined. Take part in the Dukes and you’ll understand.

Nothing more than one half hrs drive from St. Andrews, on the way to Carnoustie, your way goes with the borders of Dundee, the place to find an execllent inland course, Downfield, considered by many people to be among Scotland’s best. Virtually unknown beyond Scottish shores, Downfield was laid by the great James Braid in 1932 and upgraded in 1964, departing just 5 of Braid’s original holes intact.

Heavily wooded and grown with more than 100 different types of mature trees, this can be a parkland beauty in which the primary hazard, the trees, are maintained by water, coming by means of ponds and ditches. Only contributing to the exam would be the numerous dog-legs and also the apparently endless number of challenges Downfield invokes. Calculating 6,800 yards in the back tees, there are several wonderful possibilities for that lengthy hitters who are able to keep your ball low and straight, but individuals with a decent short game will have ample possibilities to show their prowess.

Always superbly maintained Downfield is really a classy good-looker that the most devoted links addict is going to be intrigued by — unsurprising it’s utilized as an english Open qualifier.

Even nearer to St. Andrews is yet another jewel, too frequently overlooked by visitors — Ladybank, a wonderful heathland layout where pine trees, louise and gorse supply the perfect setting for any technical challenge from the greatest order. This really is another inland course considered sufficiently strong through the governing forces of golf for use like a British Open qualifier.

Ladybank goes back to 1879 and began out like a 6-hole course, created by Old Tom Morris. Extended to 9-holes in 1910 along with a full 18 in 1962, it’s basically impossible to inform what are newer holes, all of them blend together so perfectly, and just what an amazing test they offer.

This can be a teaser which will tempt you into distributing shoulders and allowing it to rip — succumb towards the temptation and unless of course you will find the pinpoint precision of the brain surgeon, big trouble is coming up next. Ladybank is not a girl for individuals who discover the terrible rough, well known for gobbling up balls, even clubs and rumor has it, greater than a couple of visiting golfers.

As cruel as she is usually to the danger takers, Ladybank is way friendlier up to the more conservative types who carefully think things through on every single shot — supplying they’ve ability. Precision means everything and nowhere is that this as true as around the closing three holes in which the challenge is ratcheted up by greater than a couple of notches and total concentration is which get you thru.

There is no doubt for individuals taking the 15 minute drive from St. Andrews to see Ladybank, is going to be well rewarded having a thinking man’s course that presents a really serious study of golf skills. As an additional benefit in the finish of the round, spend an hour or so approximately within the relaxing clubhouse more than a dram or more and satisfy the people. You will not look for a friendlier, more welcoming group throughout Scotland.

Take that Scotland visit to take part in the renowned links layouts, but have an inland course or more and you’ll experience another side of Scottish golf that will not dissatisfy. For additional ideas and suggestions of which can be ideal, call the Scotland experts at Golf Worldwide toll-free at 1 800 833-1389, or click the link.

Golf Worldwide — Providers of quality golf travel plans since 1988.

Resourse: http://pgatour.com/travel/golf-worldwide/scotland/2010/10/08/