Angus

First laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1877, later altered by Willie Fernie in 1907 and James Braid in 1931, this traditional links deceives with its seemingly flat fairways, its undulating greens defended by more than 70 bunkers and three water courses. The coastal duneland setting runs alongside the East Coast mainline railway, with the historic Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, founded 1903, sharing the links.

Opened in June 2000 on the eastern outskirts of Dundee near the ruins of Ballumbie Castle, this rolling parkland course rewards strategy and positioning over sheer power, with numerous dog-legs and out-of-bounds on 12 of its 18 holes. The tight opening six holes are best played with an iron off the tee, and the stretch from the 11th to 14th, nicknamed 'Ballumbie's Amen Corner', is the course's toughest test.

Founded in 1893 with a course laid out by James Braid, this rolling parkland test near the Angus Glens gives fine views of the Grampian Hills and a friendly, good-value alternative to its more famous neighbours at Carnoustie and St Andrews, both within an hour's drive. The par-72 layout rewards accurate approach play, and the clubhouse's Hickory Restaurant and modern fitness facilities round out the offering.

Laid out by James Braid in 1932 and significantly restructured by C.K. 'Ken' Cotton in 1964, this tree-lined parkland course in the north-western suburbs of Dundee has hosted the qualifying rounds for the 1999 Open at Carnoustie, with eventual champion Paul Lawrie coming through Downfield. Rated among the finest inland courses in Scotland, it combines generous fairways with sharp bunkering and water ditches that punish careless approach play.

Laid out in 1895 by architect Bob Simpson and redesigned by James Braid in the 1930s, with a sympathetic 2015 upgrade by Martin Ebert, the Old Course sits at the gateway to the Grampians amid the foothills of the Angus Glens. The par-71 heathland/parkland test is renowned for its fine turf, with the short par-4 14th, 'Majuba', widely regarded as its best hole; a nine-hole West Water course by Graeme Webster, opened in 2001, complements the main layout.

Established in 1909 to a design by James Braid, this heathland/parkland course sits at the foot of the Angus Glens, its undulating fairways framed by avenues of wood, gorse and broom. Fast, tricky greens and spectacular views, notably of Lochnagar from the 4th, make for an enjoyable round only 18 kilometres from Carnoustie and 35 from St Andrews across the Tay Bridge.

The shorter, trickier Ashludie Course at Monifieth, designed by Willie Park in 1912.

The shorter, flatter Broomfield Course at Montrose, offering an easier round alongside the championship 1562 Course.

The Osprey (formerly New) Course at Piperdam, a Graeme Webster-designed parkland test winding around Piperdam Loch.

Opened in 1996 by Kathryn Marshall in the heart of the Strathmore Valley, this friendly golf centre pairs the 18-hole, par-72 Rannaleroch Course, designed by former R&A captain John Salvesen with wide fairways and mature trees, alongside the shorter nine-hole Leitfie Links. A 10-bay covered driving range and golf academy round out the facilities, with views south to the Sidlaw Hills and north to the Grampian foothills.