On The Road >> Scottish Adventures with Michael

I recently took a quick trip to Scotland with a couple of mates in late June/early July. I had planned on visiting during 2020, but unfortunately the pandemic put a stop to that and this was the first chance I’d had to revisit the plans.

With this being the 10^th year of SGT, it was a nice little present to myself.

Packed full of golf, golf and more golf, I played 14 rounds in just 10 days. I wasn’t totally convinced I could get through it all, but the body managed to hold up very well. For the record, that is the most golf I have ever played, by far, and the last time I played 36 holes in a day would have been in 2010!

Take a read through my daily updates from the road and get an insight into golf in Scotland.

I can’t wait to get back next year for our already sold out Scotland Championship Links & Sightseeing Tour!

Monday’s double-header took us first to Anstruther, a charming and quirky 9-hole course set dramatically along the cliffs. Memorable holes like the 245-yard par-3 5th, with danger on both sides, provided plenty of fun and challenge.

We followed that with 18 holes at Elie, which quickly became one of our favourite stops. Starting in the heart of town and working its way out to the coastline, the course featured too many standout holes to name. The landscape truly opens up after the 4th hole, and the on-course “19th Hole” pub near the 4^th tee is a must-visit for a quick pint or dram mid-round (which we did!).

Gullane x 2

Tuesday was all about Gullane Golf Club, where we played 36 holes across Gullane No. 2 and No. 1, hosted by a SGT client and friend, and Gullane member, Peter.

Gullane 2 offered a solid warm-up, with a wide variety of holes and sweeping views from atop Gullane Hill – one of the steepest climbs I’ve encountered on a course. After a delicious lunch in the stunning member’s clubhouse, we took on Gullane 1, host of the Scottish Open and ranked among Scotland’s finest.

The course didn’t disappoint and the par-3 9th – framed by pot bunkers and coastal vistas – was a standout.

Wednesday’s agenda here in Scotland was one for the books.

I had the very special privilege of being invited to play Muirfield Golf Club, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, in what is known as one of the most sought-after days of golf. To say I felt out of place walking through the front gate would be an understatement!

The day starts with a drink in the lounge after a quick tour, followed by an 18 hole foursomes match. The club plays exclusively foursomes, and a round is expected to take roughly 2 1/2 hours.

After the morning 18 holes, it’s time to change into suit and tie, before the three-course lunch that is the main event of the day. Players sit at two long tables, get to know those beside them, and chat about their morning match, where you’re from, etc. And the food is all class.

After lunch, it’s back to the lounge for a drink, before an afternoon 18-hole match. Unfortunately for me (maybe/maybe not, more below), the rain set in, and our playing partner members decided not to play the afternoon match.

What an experience. For a little kid from the bush, I couldn’t have even imagined getting an opportunity to be a part of a day like yesterday. And for all the famed stories of exclusivity (there are plenty out there if you look), I had the most generous host members who couldn’t have been more welcoming, the same goes for the other members I met. One of my hosts was the former captain of the HCEG, which he then followed up by being the captain of the R & A, something that hasn’t been done since the 18th century.

I haven’t said much about the golf course, but the course speaks for itself and shows why it is ranked 10th best in the world. The layout was exceptional, and the condition was excellent. The bunkering is a standout, as are the green complexes.

A bit of history for you all ~ The HCEG was founded in 1744 and were responsible for the very first rules of golf. The course at Muirfield, where they are now based, was designed by Old Tom Morris and opened for play in 1891.

Sorry, no photos of inside the clubhouse as they are not allowed, but the history and memorabilia inside are very special.

Now, onto the second part of the day. Since the afternoon round was cancelled, that meant I was able to make it to one of the courses at the very top of my bucket list, North Berwick.

Ranked 42nd in the world, you’ll find one of the finest back nines in all of golf there. I have been wanting to play this one for a long time, and it lived up to the hype, even with persistent rain for the first 7 holes.

The standout holes for me are the 13th, known as ‘The Pit’ with its sunken green hidden behind a stone wall, the 16th, known as ‘Gate’ with the Brunswick running through the fairway and the huge gully dissecting the green, and the 18th, known as ‘Home’, which is reminiscent of the 18th at the Old Course, with a short par four playing back towards the clubhouse and the fairway lined by a carpark.

All in all, a very special day and one I won’t forget for a long time. How good is golf!

Thursday, I joined Peter for a change of pace at Royal Burgess Golfing Society in Edinburgh – the world’s oldest golf club, founded in 1735. This parkland layout, designed by Willie Park Jnr., was a refreshing shift from the links terrain.

Lush fairways, true greens, and strategic bunkering made for a challenging yet enjoyable round. The original clubhouse from 1896 still stands proudly – a testament to the club’s storied history.

We then made our way west to the Kintyre Peninsula for the final leg of the journey, where some true hidden gems awaited.

Machrihanish – Wild and Wonderful

Friday’s round at Machrihanish Golf Club was everything I hoped for. Located near Campbeltown, the course features holes designed by Old Tom Morris himself.

The opening hole – often called the best in golf – requires a heroic tee shot over Machrihanish Beach. The course continues through rugged links terrain, with only two par fives and a great mix of short and long holes. The views were just as memorable as the golf.

Fun fact: Paul McCartney owns property nearby and wrote “Mull of Kintyre” inspired by the region.

Sunday delivered another 36-hole day. We began at Machrihanish Dunes, one of the most natural golf courses in the world. Built with minimal disturbance to the environment, it’s wild, raw, and stunning – instantly one of my favourites.

In the afternoon, we ventured to Dunaverty Golf Club, and what a treat it was! Though short (par 66), the course packs a punch and features spectacular views of Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig, and even Northern Ireland on a clear day.

Local quirks added to the charm – four greens are fenced to keep cows out, and the clubhouse doesn’t serve alcohol (or host comps on Sundays), out of respect for the landowner’s beliefs. You wouldn’t find that in Australia, would you!

Final Rounds – Western Gailes & Prestwick

On Monday morning, I said goodbye to my mates Brendan and Nathan as they were heading elsewhere for a few days, while my final two rounds took place in Ayrshire.

First up was Western Gailes, an underrated gem with classic links character, perfectly maintained and beautifully situated beside the Firth of Clyde. This was one course I really wanted to play, and it turned out to be one of my favourites of the trip.

Then it was time for a fitting finale at Prestwick Golf Club, the birthplace of The Open Championship in 1860. The course oozes history and character.

The 17th hole – unchanged since 1851 – features a blind second shot and a giant bunker guarding the green. A true original and the perfect way to end this golfing pilgrimage.

Until Next Time… And with that, our epic journey through Scotland came to a close. From world top-10 layouts to quirky 9-holers with electric fences, every course offered something unique, unforgettable, and uniquely Scottish.

I’ll be back again next year – this time with a group of clients. We’ve already fully booked, and I can’t wait to share with them what promises to be another unforgettable trip to the Home of Golf.

Thanks for following along!