Playing Scotland's Top 100

[KenL]

Yes it is. Although you can only book 2 weeks in advance.

Would love clarity on this if possible. Would save me a decent wedge!

 

[KenL]

Any idea what that rate might be? I know they have one for East Lothian golfers though.

NB West is NOT on the East Lothian members access scheme.

 

[TigerTime]

Well as a bit of an update since it's been a while...thanks to those who have DM'ed and offered to help.

Currently on 48/100. Some very difficult to get on and expensive ones ticked off the list. With some left to go.

Played: TOC, Muirfield, Dornoch, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart, Trump Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Loch Lomond, Gleneagles Kings, Dumbarnie, Machrihanish, Nairn, Gullane 1, The Renaissance, Gleneagles Queens, St.A New, Brora, Dundonald, Moray Old, Elie, Rosemount, Archerfield Fidra, Dunbar, Gullane 2, Fraserburgh, Glasgow Gailes, St. A Jubilee, Leven, Archerfield Dirleton, Scotscraig, Monifieth, Irvine, Prestwick St Nicks, Kilspindie, Crail Balcomie, Roxburghe, Longniddry, Lansdowne, Fortrose, St.A Eden, Musselburgh, Tain, Moray New, The Glen, Craigielaw, Gullane 3, Cawder

To Play:
Skibo Castle - seems impossible unfortunately, I've exhausted every avenue possible, and unless I find a member it's probably never going to happen. They do not do visitors at all.
Turnberry - expensive green fee, putting it off as long as possible, unless a member is kind enough to host
North Berwick - as above
Royal Aberdeen - hoping to get into their Open this year
Ardfin - Very expensive trip all round, might never happen realistically as would cost thousands
Royal Troon - Exepensive green fee, will get to it one day
Prestwick - as above
Western Gailes - as above

Machrie, Machrihanish Dunes, Castle, Panmure, Lundin, Murcar, Boat of Garten, Dukes, Turnberry KRTB, Southerness, Luffness, Spey valley, Ladybank, Gleneagles PGA, Montrose, Nairn Dunbar, West Kilbride, Torrance, Golspie, Peterhead, Downfield, Lanark, Barassie, Crail Craighead, Kings Inverness, East Ren, Newmachar, Bruntsfield, Mortonhall, Kittocks, Powfoot, Askernish, Kilmacolm, Glenbervie, Edzell Old, Meldrum House, Reay, Royal Burgess, Duff House Royal, Forfar, Ranfurly Castle, Carrick, Portpatrick, Cathkin.

The above are all do-able through sign ons, open comps or just booking a visitor time, so not in any rush for these I will get to them at some stage.

I have also played TOC Reversed, and have a tee time at Old Petty booked for August (the new course at Castle Stuart). I might just have to remove Skibo and Ardfin from my lists at this point and replace them with those two instead.

 

[The Lion]

Well as a bit of an update since it's been a while...thanks to those who have DM'ed and offered to help.

Currently on 48/100. Some very difficult to get on and expensive ones ticked off the list. With some left to go.

Played: TOC, Muirfield, Dornoch, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart, Trump Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Loch Lomond, Gleneagles Kings, Dumbarnie, Machrihanish, Nairn, Gullane 1, The Renaissance, Gleneagles Queens, St.A New, Brora, Dundonald, Moray Old, Elie, Rosemount, Archerfield Fidra, Dunbar, Gullane 2, Fraserburgh, Glasgow Gailes, St. A Jubilee, Leven, Archerfield Dirleton, Scotscraig, Monifieth, Irvine, Prestwick St Nicks, Kilspindie, Crail Balcomie, Roxburghe, Longniddry, Lansdowne, Fortrose, St.A Eden, Musselburgh, Tain, Moray New, The Glen, Craigielaw, Gullane 3, Cawder

To Play:
Skibo Castle - seems impossible unfortunately, I've exhausted every avenue possible, and unless I find a member it's probably never going to happen. They do not do visitors at all.
Turnberry - expensive green fee, putting it off as long as possible, unless a member is kind enough to host
North Berwick - as above
Royal Aberdeen - hoping to get into their Open this year
Ardfin - Very expensive trip all round, might never happen realistically as would cost thousands
Royal Troon - Exepensive green fee, will get to it one day
Prestwick - as above
Western Gailes - as above

Machrie, Machrihanish Dunes, Castle, Panmure, Lundin, Murcar, Boat of Garten, Dukes, Turnberry KRTB, Southerness, Luffness, Spey valley, Ladybank, Gleneagles PGA, Montrose, Nairn Dunbar, West Kilbride, Torrance, Golspie, Peterhead, Downfield, Lanark, Barassie, Crail Craighead, Kings Inverness, East Ren, Newmachar, Bruntsfield, Mortonhall, Kittocks, Powfoot, Askernish, Kilmacolm, Glenbervie, Edzell Old, Meldrum House, Reay, Royal Burgess, Duff House Royal, Forfar, Ranfurly Castle, Carrick, Portpatrick, Cathkin.

The above are all do-able through sign ons, open comps or just booking a visitor time, so not in any rush for these I will get to them at some stage.

I have also played TOC Reversed, and have a tee time at Old Petty booked for August (the new course at Castle Stuart). I might just have to remove Skibo and Ardfin from my lists at this point and replace them with those two instead.

First of all, when requesting to play good courses, you should offer a decent reciprocal in return. Secondly, many of the above very best courses you can do in the off season for a LOT less. There are also SGU tee times available for some of the big ticket courses too, can advise if that works.

Further, there are several groups for reciprocal golf on socials which would be useful. However a friendly warning; they don’t permit begging or request posts for specific courses, and you need to offer games out as a starting point.

Lastly, a huge number of the above list in italics do open competitions. Check out Golf Empire for details. Finally…I should add there are several Top 100 lists. My advice to you would be to tick them all off, for the avoidance of doubt. I’d also do the courses on the previous 2-year cycles lists, where they’ve dropped out in the latest update.

 

[TigerTime]

First of all, when requesting to play good courses, you should offer a decent reciprocal in return. Secondly, many of the above very best courses you can do in the off season for a LOT less. There are also SGU tee times available for some of the big ticket courses too, can advise if that works.

Further, there are several groups for reciprocal golf on socials which would be useful. However a friendly warning; they don’t permit begging or request posts for specific courses, and you need to offer games out as a starting point.

Lastly, a huge number of the above list in italics do open competitions. Check out Golf Empire for details. Finally…I should add there are several Top 100 lists. My advice to you would be to tick them all off, for the avoidance of doubt. I’d also do the courses on the previous 2-year cycles lists, where they’ve dropped out in the latest update.

Firstly, perhaps you should have read my post fully before commenting as I did mention that I could tick a lot off through opens and I will do that for quite a few of them, but I also like socialising and building up my network, it's a friendly game after all. I always offer a reciprocal of some kind - whether that be at my home course (I have moved on since 2023 to another East Lothian course that is considered a little more prestigious) or another option through my network that I have.

SGU tee times are getting more rare, and prices are going up but yes that is also another possible method. I am also very aware of the groups on social media, however they do seem very cliquey and are quite off putting at times.

My list isn't exhaustive by any means but I do understand what you mean regarding the other lists and previous cycles of lists. The latest top 100 list is a complete farce, however.

 

[The Lion]

Firstly, perhaps you should have read my post fully before commenting as I did mention that I could tick a lot off through opens and I will do that for quite a few of them, but I also like socialising and building up my network, it's a friendly game after all. I always offer a reciprocal of some kind - whether that be at my home course (I have moved on since 2023 to another East Lothian course that is considered a little more prestigious) or another option through my network that I have.

SGU tee times are getting more rare, and prices are going up but yes that is also another possible method. I am also very aware of the groups on social media, however they do seem very cliquey and are quite off putting at times.

My list isn't exhaustive by any means but I do understand what you mean regarding the other lists and previous cycles of lists. The latest top 100 list is a complete farce, however.

They can be, but the main ones encourage new members and people posting games. Can send details of you like. As for on here, you should offer a game at yours, so people know what’s in return. For the best courses it’s only fair, let’s be honest.

I do agree there are less times for visitors, but slowly things are calming down and there are more twilight and other offers being introduced now. With cost of living, the state of the USA and geopolitics being what they are, it’s likely the golf boom will soon hit major headwinds and thus opportunities will increase significantly.

 

[TigerTime]

And well in case anyone is wondering; here's how I've ranked the ones I have played so far; I use a points system generated by AI based on the score I input for different categories. Obviously subject to change and move around, and this isn't every course I've ever played, just those from the list so far.

1. Royal Dornoch (90 pts)
2. Muirfield (86 pts)
3. Renaissance, Loch Lomond, The Old Course (83 pts)
4. Carnoustie (79 pts)
5. Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart (78 pts)
6. The New Course, Machrihanish (74 pts)
7. Cruden Bay, Dumbarnie (73 pts)
8. Nairn, Elie, Dunbar (72 pts)
9. Gullane 1, Gleneagles Queens, Dundonald (71 pts)
10. Gleneagles Kings, Blairgowrie Rosemount, Archerfield Fidra (69 pts)
11. Trump Aberdeen, Glasgow Gailes, Gullane 2 (67 pts)
12. Moray Old, Fraserburgh (66 pts)
13. Jubilee (65 pts)
14. Brora (63 pts)
15. Craigielaw (62 pts)
16. Kilspindie (61 pts)
17. Gullane 3 ( 60 pts)
18. Fortrose, Crail Balcomie (59 pts)
19. Scotscraig, Monifieth ( 58 pts)
20. Blairgowrie Lansdowne (57 pts)
21. Archerfield Dirleton (55 pts)
22. St. Andrews Eden (54 pts)
23. Leven (53 pts)
24. Roxburghe, Tain (52 pts)
25. Longniddry (50 pts)
26. The Glen (43 pts)
27. Monktonhall ( 40 pts)

 

[3 jabber]

And well in case anyone is wondering; here's how I've ranked the ones I have played so far; I use a points system generated by AI based on the score I input for different categories. Obviously subject to change and move around, and this isn't every course I've ever played, just those from the list so far.

1. Royal Dornoch (90 pts)
2. Muirfield (86 pts)
3. Renaissance, Loch Lomond, The Old Course (83 pts)
4. Carnoustie (79 pts)
5. Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart (78 pts)
6. The New Course, Machrihanish (74 pts)
7. Cruden Bay, Dumbarnie (73 pts)
8. Nairn, Elie, Dunbar (72 pts)
9. Gullane 1, Gleneagles Queens, Dundonald (71 pts)
10. Gleneagles Kings, Blairgowrie Rosemount, Archerfield Fidra (69 pts)
11. Trump Aberdeen, Glasgow Gailes, Gullane 2 (67 pts)
12. Moray Old, Fraserburgh (66 pts)
13. Jubilee (65 pts)
14. Brora (63 pts)
15. Craigielaw (62 pts)
16. Kilspindie (61 pts)
17. Gullane 3 ( 60 pts)
18. Fortrose, Crail Balcomie (59 pts)
19. Scotscraig, Monifieth ( 58 pts)
20. Blairgowrie Lansdowne (57 pts)
21. Archerfield Dirleton (55 pts)
22. St. Andrews Eden (54 pts)
23. Leven (53 pts)
24. Roxburghe, Tain (52 pts)
25. Longniddry (50 pts)
26. The Glen (43 pts)
27. Monktonhall ( 40 pts)

Interesting list you have compiled, I'd be keen to know your ranking criteria.

 

[evemccc]

Interesting list you have compiled, I'd be keen to know your ranking criteria.

As much as I love Dornoch, and I do truly love it as it is the place where I really fell in love with golf (and saw how good golf can be) and I’ve played it four times, I can easily pick holes in it as a course and I’m always so somewhat surprised to see it consistently so high on peoples rankings.

The 8th and 17th are close to being very similar to each other, the 3rd and 4th are too….the 7th has the views but it isn’t a great hole. Nor is the 16th. The 15th would not make anyone’s composite links list by any stretch..I am sure of that

All the rest are absolute world class holes IMO

 

[simo71]

As much as I love Dornoch, and I do truly love it as it is the place where I really fell in love with golf (and saw how good golf can be) and I’ve played it four times, I can easily pick holes in it as a course and I’m always so somewhat surprised to see it consistently so high on peoples rankings.

The 8th and 17th are close to being very similar to each other, the 3rd and 4th are too….the 7th has the views but it isn’t a great hole. Nor is the 16th. The 15th would not make anyone’s composite links list by any stretch..I am sure of that

All the rest are absolute world class holes IMO

A little harsh on the 8th/17th.

For most "normal" golfers - the 8th is a huge downhill second shot and the 17th is a completely uphill second shot! The 8th is designed not to go over the hill with your drive (very hard these days since they've pushed the tees back) and the 17th is designed very much to get you down the hill.

The 16th however - terrible hole!

 

[patricks148]

As much as I love Dornoch, and I do truly love it as it is the place where I really fell in love with golf (and saw how good golf can be) and I’ve played it four times, I can easily pick holes in it as a course and I’m always so somewhat surprised to see it consistently so high on peoples rankings.

The 8th and 17th are close to being very similar to each other, the 3rd and 4th are too….the 7th has the views but it isn’t a great hole. Nor is the 16th. The 15th would not make anyone’s composite links list by any stretch..I am sure of that

All the rest are absolute world class holes IMO

i thought the old 7th was a much better hole, not quite sure on the whole view thing, you can see the sea now and maybe Embo's dilapidated pier