Ayrshire

Opened on 27 April 1957 to a design by J. McLean within the grounds of the Annanhill Estate on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, this municipal parkland course, run by East Ayrshire Leisure, is fronted by wide, tree-lined fairways that give wayward shots some margin for error. Its signature hole is the par-3 13th, played across a valley to a small, heavily bunkered green reminiscent of Royal Troon's 'Postage Stamp'.

One of Ayrshire's oldest clubs, formed in 1880, Ardeer moved to its present Hamilton J. Stutt-designed parkland course in 1965 after several original greens had to be relocated in the 1960s to make way for a nylon salts factory. Hundreds of small trees line the fairways and a burn defends several greens, with the 500-plus-yard par-5 5th, played from an elevated tee to a blind, out-of-bounds-flanked green, the standout challenge.

Opened as a nine-hole course in 1937 on part of the Ballochmyle Estate, where Robert Burns wrote 'The Bonny Lass o' Ballochmyle' and 'Farewell to the Braes o' Ballochmyle', this tree-lined parkland course in the heart of Burns Country now extends to 18 holes and a par of 70. Tight, well-maintained fairways and tricky greens make it a fine inland test only 12 miles from Royal Troon and Turnberry, with the 497-yard par-5 18th, 'Waurslin Hame', its closing highlight.

Formed in 1896 and moved to its Threepwood Road site in the Garnock Valley in 1907, this hilly parkland course was extended from nine to 18 holes in the 1990s and offers spectacular views over the Clyde coast, the Hills of Arran and Ailsa Craig. The club faced closure in 2017 amid falling membership but continues to operate, welcoming visitors to its high, exposed course only 15 minutes from Glasgow Airport.

Opened in 1927 to a James Braid design within the Belleisle Estate south of Ayr, this municipal parkland course is widely regarded as one of Britain's finest public tests, with spectacular views over to Arran and the Curtecan burn coming into play on several holes. Plateau greens and skilful, unfussy routing typify Braid's work here, with the semi-blind 385-yard 6th and demanding 423-yard 13th among the standout holes; it shares its clubhouse in the historic Belleisle House with the adjoining Seafield course.

Established in 1897, this is the first course golfers reach after stepping off the ferry on the north side of Arran, an easy walk from the terminal. A flat mix of parkland and seaside links with 8 par 3s and just one par 5, its modest yardage belies a genuinely tricky test where precision off the tee matters far more than power.

Opened in 1909 as Kilmarnock Municipal Golf Club within the historic Caprington Estate south of the town, the course was later reshaped in 1927 with input attributed to James Braid. Now run as a community club, its tree-lined parkland fairways include characterful holes named 'Auld Road' and 'Damhead', and the clubhouse offers a golf simulator and snooker tables alongside its bar.

First opened as a nine-hole course in 1960 to ease pressure on Ayr's Belleisle and Seafield courses, Dalmilling was extended to 18 holes in 1966. Set between Ayr's racecourse and the A77 alongside the River Ayr, the honest, open par-69 parkland layout takes barely three and a half hours to play, with the 135-yard par-3 6th virtually surrounded by water.

Designed by James Braid and little altered since 1902, this par-64 course splits neatly in two: eight glorious seaside links holes with views to Ailsa Craig and Turnberry, followed by ten more sheltered parkland holes as the Water of Girvan winds down towards the Firth of Clyde. Compact at just over 5,000 yards, it rewards smart club selection and course management over raw power.

The seaside outpost of Glasgow Golf Club, founded in 1787 and the ninth oldest golf club in the world, this Ayrshire coast links was first laid out by Willie Fernie in 1892 and redesigned by two-time Open champion Willie Park Jr in 1912. An Open Championship qualifying venue since 1973 and sole Scottish Final Qualifying course between 2014 and 2017, it also hosts the Tennant Cup, the oldest amateur strokeplay event still running in the world.

Established in 1887 and modified by James Braid in 1926, this links/heathland course at Bogside sits a little inland from the coast, its sandy turf, gorse and heather giving classic blind shots and quirky, hidden greens beloved of shotmakers. An Open Championship qualifying venue when the Open is at Troon and co-host of the 2003 Amateur Championship, the club has produced three Scottish Amateur champions.

Laid out by Irvine Town Council in 1907 and opened that June by Provost Borland, this municipal parkland course two miles north of the town centre has rolling, links-style holes on its older back nine and a more relaxed front nine. Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club, formed within months of the course's opening with the Provost as honorary president, still plays here and maintains its own clubhouse, with the course now run by KA Leisure on behalf of North Ayrshire Council.

Established in 1925, this parkland course compensates for its modest 5,500-yard length with tricky, well-protected greens and natural hazards, notably the Jocks Burn winding through the opening and closing holes. The ruins of Place Castle overlook the green at the narrow, out-of-bounds-lined 4th, and the short par-3 18th, played over water to an elevated green, has wrecked many a scorecard.

The 18-hole championship Barassie Links, a regular Open Championship final qualifying venue at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club.

Known as 'Arran's Old Course', this hillside heathland layout above the village of Lamlash was shaped by Laurie Auchterlonie and Willie Fernie. Despite a par of only 64, sloping fairways, blind shots and two par 3s over 200 yards make it a genuine technical test, with elevated views over the Firth of Clyde and the Eagles Landing restaurant a fitting reward at the clubhouse.

Established in 1891 to a design by J.H. Stutt, this parkland course sits in front of Kelburn Castle with sweeping views across the Firth of Clyde to Cumbrae, Bute and Arran, whose 'Sleeping Warrior' silhouette dominates the horizon. Home town of golfing father-and-son Bob and Sam Torrance, the course has been likened to a 'mini Augusta' for its spectacular floral surrounds, with water hazards testing play on no fewer than 12 holes.

The only club in the world to retain the old Scottish spelling 'Gowf' in its name, this club was formally founded in 1909 on the historic Gowf Field of Loudoun, where the Campbell family of Loudoun Castle are said to have played for over 400 years. The gently undulating parkland course in the Irvine Valley is defended by mature trees and burns, with the risk-reward par-4 12th, 'Marsh', its signature hole.

Formed in 1888 as the Cumbrae Golf Club by Glasgow Golf Club members holidaying on the island, and renamed Millport in 1900 to avoid confusion with Perthshire's Comrie club, this heathland course was improved by James Braid and George Duncan in 1912-13. Set on the highest point of the Isle of Cumbrae with panoramic views to Arran, Bute and Ailsa Craig, blind shots and strategic out-of-bounds on the early holes demand precision despite the course's modest length.

Formed in 1899 a mile or so north of its present site, Prestwick St Cuthbert relocated in 1963 to make way for the expansion of Prestwick Airport, opening its new J.R. Stutt-designed parkland course with an exhibition match involving John Panton, Eric Brown, Dai Rees and Peter Alliss. No fewer than nine dogleg holes and cunningly sloped greens demand accuracy over raw length, and the club co-hosted the 2017 Scottish Amateur Championship alongside neighbouring Prestwick Golf Club.

Founded in 1851 as the Prestwick Mechanics Club, with Old Tom Morris among its members, this is the 26th oldest golf club in the world; it took its present name in 1858 and moved to its current shoreline links in 1892, laid out by Charlie Hunter and John Allan. Though barely 6,000 yards, out-of-bounds comes into play on 12 holes, and the whitewashed clubhouse sits right by the beach with views to Arran and Ailsa Craig.

Opened in 1914 to a James Braid design, this hilly moorland course above Largs, where Ryder Cup player Sam Torrance learned the game, is a short but genuine test with sloping greens and blind tee shots, framed by breathtaking views over the Firth of Clyde to Arran and the Cumbraes. A friendly, low-cost club run by KA Leisure on behalf of North Ayrshire Council, it also offers North Ayrshire's first Footgolf course.

The Portland Course, Royal Troon's second 18-hole links, opened in 1896.

The companion course to Belleisle within the same Belleisle Estate parkland south of Ayr, Seafield is a shorter, par-68 municipal layout sharing the estate's mature trees and clubhouse. It offers a gentler test than its James Braid-designed neighbour, making it a popular choice for beginners and those looking for a quicker round on the same beautiful grounds.

Founded in 1896 to a Willie Fernie design at Blackwaterfoot on Arran's west coast, Shiskine is one of the world's few surviving 12-hole courses, its topsy-turvy terrain packed with blind shots and evocative hole names like 'Crow's Nest' and 'Himalayas'. Widely rated among the best hidden gems in Scottish golf, it offers spectacular views over the Kilbrannan Sound towards the Mull of Kintyre.

Built as a nine-hole course in 1891 and extended to 13 holes in 1909, this course was redesigned by James Braid in 1911 and held the unusual distinction of being the oldest 13-hole course in the world until five new holes made it a full 18-hole track in 1999. With a par of just 65 and seven par 3s, precision matters more than power, and the moorland setting above the village offers sweeping views over the Firth of Clyde to Arran and the Argyll hills.

Darley, rated among the toughest courses in Scotland to play to handicap, with tight heather-and-gorse-lined fairways, one of Troon's three municipal courses.

Fullarton, the shortest of Troon's three municipal courses, with small greens that punish wayward shots.

Lochgreen, the longest and best-regarded of South Ayrshire Council's trio of municipal links courses at Troon, where Jack Nicklaus qualified for his first Open in 1962.

The King Robert the Bruce Course, Turnberry's second 18-hole course at the resort.

Founded in 1893 with the assistance of Old Tom Morris and later refined by James Braid, this classic links at Seamill offers spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and has hosted the 2023 R&A Seniors Home Internationals and 2025 Scottish Boys Championship. Often overlooked alongside Ayrshire's bigger names, it is a charming, welcoming test that deserves mention alongside Irvine, Barassie and the Gailes courses.

Founded in 1895 above the village on Arran's south-east coast, this course offers panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig. Elevated tees and no fewer than four par-3s over 200 yards, including holes named 'Up'n'Awa' and 'Goat Fell', demand precision over power despite the course's modest length, all backed by a friendly, community-minded clubhouse.