Inside Scotland’s ‘hidden gem’ golf courses you can play for under £45

WHERE: Dunbartonshire

HOW MUCH: £25-£35

WHY: The tiny village of Balmore is only a 20 minute drive from Glasgow, this club describes itself as “one of Scottish golf’s best kept secrets.” The course was designed by none other than Harry Vardon, who still holds the record for the most Open victories with six. Balmore is nestled within a picturesque countryside setting amongst beautiful rolling terrain and even has a hole named Wee Gem, which is apt for the course itself. It’s not long – at only 5,542 yards and a par of 66 – but it’s tricky, don’t be fooled by the idyllic burns and colourful bushes, as they sit ready to punish any errant shots. Many courses claim to be Glasgow’s best hidden gem, but Balmore takes the crown thanks to its bargain green fee.

WHERE: Edinburgh

HOW MUCH: £36.25

WHY: Just look at those views. Playing a round of golf on a thrilling course is the cherry on top of these gorgeous panoramas of Scotland’s capital. It’s a workout though – Braid Hills is quite the climb as it meanders over the moorland on which it is laid out, so stopping to catch your breath is rewarded with those vistas of the Edinburgh skyline and out towards the Firth of Forth. If it wasn’t for those reminders, you’d forget you were in the middle of a bustling city and that contributes to its hidden gem status. You don’t need to be a big hitter to play well at Braid Hills and the greens are large targets, but teething gorse bushes are the main threat to your scorecard. If you’re a fan of elevation changes and want an old-fashioned, unique golfing experience, this is the test for you.

WHERE: Highlands

HOW MUCH: £30

WHY: Durness can lay claim for being the best nine-hole golf course in the UK, let alone Scotland. Located close to Cape Wrath, this is perhaps the most remote setting for golf on the British mainland and is the most north-westerly of all, so it’s a true hidden gem. With only nine holes you could argue you’re only getting half as much for your money, but that can’t be levelled at Durness. There are two sets of tees to vary of the round and give you a chance to feel like you’re playing a full 18. The breathtaking final hole ensures the best stays until last, with a tee shot across Balnakeil Bay. It might only be 150 yards long but as your ball travels over the secluded beach, if the wind is blowing then it’s a case of hoping and praying that it doesn’t drop into the crystal blue sea underneath. This is a must-play for any golf enthusiast who happens to be on the North Coast 500 and was ranked ninth in Today’s Golfer’s list of best courses in Great Britain & Ireland for under £40.
For other stunning nine-hole offerings, check out Anstruther in Fife or Isle of Skye Golf Club on the spectacular island for which it’s named after.

WHERE: Berwickshire

HOW MUCH: £42.50 weekdays, £47.50 weekends

WHY: Eyemouth’s sixth hole is recognised as the most extraordinary golf hole in Britain – or the best hole you’ve never heard of. It’s one of the most eye-catching par threes anywhere in the world, played from a clifftop on the rugged Berwickshire coastline. You’ll feel like a hero if you can master the wind and negotiate the 170-yard carry across the rocky coastal inlet. A few holes later you’ll be tasked with mainland Scotland’s longest par five, the 656-yard 13th dubbed the ‘Hawkness Monster’. These two contrasting challenges pack the main punch on a course that is always in immaculate condition and described as “criminally underrated” by Bunkered. Just five miles north of the border with England yet still only an hour from Edinburgh, the setting of the pretty fishing town from which the course takes its name adds to the overall charm.

WHERE: Ayrshire

HOW MUCH: £25

WHY: Girvan lies in between two much more illustrious neighbours in Royal Troon and Trump Turnberry and for a fraction of the cost you can enjoy many of the same magnificent views across the Firth of Clyde, with Ailsa Craig in focus. A municipal course, Girvan is at times as bonkers as it is interesting, with the first eight holes hugging the sea (including the memorable par three fifth, played from high upon a hill) and the remaining ten set inland on the other side of the road. The unorthodox mix of links and parkland holes offers an eccentric test of any golfer but with Girvan not long by any means, it’s still possible to score well here. Buckle up for the severe elevation changes on the final four holes, in particular the final hole which requires a tee shot over (or in between) two tall trees to a green many metres below.

WHERE: Argyll and Bute

HOW MUCH: £40

WHY: This quirky course near the seaside town of Oban won’t remain a hidden gem for much longer. It’s the place Ryder Cup hero Robert MacIntyre calls home and with each wave the popular Scot rides on the PGA Tour, more and more people become aware of Glencruitten. That memorable win in Canada with his father acting as his caddie was particularly emotive for the members, given that dad Doug is the head greenkeeper here. He does a fine job maintaining this James Braid-designed hidden gem, nestled in the hills of the estate it’s named after. Glencruitten is a distinctive test of golf, it’s only a par 62 but there are plenty of blind tee shots and the par three 15th hole is the highlight of the round, played over a gully with trees and hills in the backdrop. If you like your flora and fauna there are two native Scots Pines on the property that date back to the ancient Caledonian Forest and spotting buzzards or deer isn’t unusual.

WHERE: Perth

HOW MUCH: £40 on weekdays, £30 after 4pm on Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun, £30 special ‘Try us on a Tuesday’ rate)

WHY: Perthshire described itself as the heart of Scotland and tucked away – quite literally – within the main town is the exceptional King James VI. The course is situated on an island, surrounded by the River Tay and is believed to be one of only two inland island golf courses in the world (by bizarre coincidence, the other one is in Perth, Australia). The club is only accessible via a footpath over the railway bridge and this makes for a peaceful round. The parkland routing is also relatively flat so it makes for an easy walk but there are plenty of trees and bunkers to flank the lush green fairways to keep you on your toes. Perthshire itself is abound with superb courses such as the three at Gleneagles, Auchterarder and Blairgowrie but for something a bit different – and designed by Old Tom Morris, the same man behind St Andrews, Prestwick and Carnoustie among others – then take the walk to this hidden town centre location and take advantage of their competitive pricing structure for visitors.

WHERE: Fife

HOW MUCH: £38 Mon-Thu, £43 Fri, £49 Sat-Sun

WHY: Pitreavie shares the same council area as St Andrews but that’s where the similarities end, as this tranquil parkland setting feels is a world away from the blustery and busy links of the Old Course. And when it comes to famous course architects, it can lay claim to having been designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, who would go on to design the most famous course outside of Scotland, Augusta National, home of The Masters. Dr MacKenzie also co-designed the ultra-exclusive Cypress Point Club, a regular fixture in the world’s top 10 golf courses. Despite this impressive golfing heritage, Pitreavie remains relatively unknown to the average golfer. It bears the hallmarks of MacKenzie’s most famous creation with its glorious greens, some of which have two or even three tiers. Burns intersect many of the well-groomed fairways here and from the higher points on the course you can see the striking Queensferry Crossing peeking out above the trees. If you play during the week, you can take advantage of the price being less than £45.

WHERE: Ayrshire

HOW MUCH: £34

WHY: Today’s Golfer magazine ranks Shiskine as the best golf course that you can play for under £40 anywhere in the UK and Ireland, period. The fact it only has 12 holes? That doesn’t matter – if anything it only adds to the unique experience. This is links golf at its purest: sometimes wacky, always interesting and never forgettable. The story of how the course came to have only 12 holes is equally unusual. Shortly after Willie Park Jnr extended the course to 18 holes from Willie Fernie’s original nine, the First World War hit and holes fell into neglect. But every one that’s left is memorable, whether it be thanks to the challenge of a blind shot, greens that run as true as anywhere or the stunning backdrop of Blackwaterfoot and the menacing Drumadoon Cliffs. With Ayrshire being home to Royal Troon, Trump Turnberry, Dundonald and Prestwick it’s hard enough to get noticed and with Shiskine being out on the Isle of Arran, many make the mistake of overlooking it. But this throwback to yesteryear is well worth the trip, and it’s a reminder of when golf was perhaps more about fun than how far you could hit it. Golf in itself is rather idiosyncratic, and this place sums that up. And the innate beauty of Shiskine is that it gets better, and more rewarding, each time you play. Once just isn’t enough.