Sam Torrance's Top 5 Hidden Gems
When it comes
to playing golf in Scotland, you are always guaranteed
variety. From idyllic landscapes to
immaculate greens, discover Sam Torrance’s top 5 hidden
gems:
The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course,
Kelso, Roxburghshire
Set on the Duke of Roxburghe’s idyllic estate in
the Borders, this Dave Thomas designed course is a joy to play.
Stand out hole for me is the 14th called Viaduct. This
is easily one of the best driving holes in Scotland where you look
from on high down to the River Teviot meandering below you. With
immaculately presented greens and fairways, the reputation of this
course is set to grow and grow.
Western Gailes, Gailes,
Irvine
Western Gailes is one of those courses that once
you have finished playing, you just want to walk straight back to
the first and play it all over again. With views of the hills of
Arran and Ailsa Craig, this superb sandy links course has ambiance
and character in abundance. Even if you are not playing your Sunday
best, you will still enjoy the course that Harry Vardon and Gene
Sarazen rated as one of Scotland’s finest.
Longniddry Golf Club Ltd,
Longniddry
Resting amongst links golfing heaven in East
Lothian, Longniddry is a truly fabulous course. A mixture of links
and woodland, this course will get your strategic golfing brain
thinking. I particularly like the driveable dogleg Par 4,
5th hole, at just over 300 yards. A must see course for
all links enthusiasts.
Kilmarnock (Barassie), Troon
Although the east coast of Scotland has a
reputation for historic links golf, there are plenty of legendary
links on the west coast too. Set in Ayrshire, where I learned to
play golf, Kilmarnock (Barassie) is one of Scotland’s finest hidden
gems. Golf has been played there for over 100 years and is today an
Open qualifying course. Nestling beside Troon, Kilmarnock
(Barassie) is a tough links challenge and a great course to test
golfers of all standards.
The Torrance, Fairmont, St.
Andrews
The Fairmont Resort at St Andrews is luxury golf
at its very best. Alongside the prestigious hotel are two great
courses. The Torrance for me is everything a course should be.
Challenging, rewarding and a great place to escape to. The
17th will take you right down to the edge of the coast,
where the views from course are nothing short of breathtaking. A
delight at any time of the year.
