Golf in the gently scenic Scottish Borders is a particular treat, with a long season - from April through October at least - and plenty of distractions for non-golfing members of your party.
There are at least 21 courses to choose from and most are easy to reach from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. People are already calling the new 18-hole, Dave Thomas Cardrona course, at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Country Club, near Peebles, the Gleneagles of the South.
Here are some others to try:
- Duns - 18-hole, gradual hills
- Eyemouth - 18 -hole, coastal course
- Galashiels - 18-holes, hilly and steep
- Hawick - 18-hole, the 16th hole is Nick Faldo's favorite.
- Innerleithen - 9-hole, moderate course
- Jedburgh - 18-hole, moderate to hilly
- Kelso - 18-hole, flat but with a challenging layout.
- Lauder - 9-hole, laid out in the 1890s with stunning views of Lauderdale
- Lilliardsedge - 9-hole, on a holiday park with tent and RV camping
- Melrose - 9-holes over hilly parkland
- Minto -18-hole on the lower slopes of the strange looking Minto Hill, overlooking the Teviot Valley
- Newcastleton - 9-holes
- Peebles - 18-Panoramic views beside the River Tweed
- Selkirk - 9-hole, heathland on Selkirk Hill
- St. Boswells - 9-hole, 108 year old course on the south bank of the Tweed, with views of Dryburgh Abbey
- The Hirsel - 18-holes, gradual hills and beautiful parkland, called "The Augusta of the Borders"
- The Roxburghe - 18-hole, gradual hills and long distances
- The Woll - 18-hole, flat with mature trees, ponds and The Woll Burn
- Torwoodlee - 18-hole, parkland course designed by Will Park, by the River Gala
- West Linton - 18-hole, flat with views of the Pentland hills
Save with the Freedom of the Fairways 2009
Between April 1 and October 31, 2009, Visit Scottish Borders is offering 3 and 5 day, Freedom of the Fairways passes for juniors, adults and seniors. Keen golfers, could play 36 holes in 5 days for as little as £12 per round. A 3-day golf passport, good for 6 rounds over three consecutive weekdays (4 rounds on weekends), costs £88 (£44 juniors) . The 5-day passport, for 10 rounds over five consecutive weekdays (8 rounds on weekends) cost £120 (£70 juniors). Seniors over 55 can buy 3-day, 3-round passes for £55 or 5-day, 5-round passes for £70. Passes can be purchased online. And the good news is, the price is still the same as last year.
