For generations, 18 holes has been the accepted standard for a round of golf.
But with people becoming increasingly time-poor, a growing number of clubs are questioning whether it still needs to be the default.
After running into financial difficulties in 2019, Eastwood Golf Club - a moorland course on the outskirts of Glasgow in Scotland's central belt - was forced to appoint an administrator and shut its doors after 126 years in operation.
Enter Glasgow-based property developer Colin Whitelaw, who took over the land at the end of 2019, three months before the Covid-19 pandemic forced a change in his plans.
“Instead of thinking it was a land deal, I had to really think about whether I was going to continue maintaining the golf course,” Whitelaw told Top100 Golf Courses. “That was the big issue, and wondering whether there was value in that. We decided there would be.”
As a member of Prestwick Golf Club, where the first nine Open Championships were played over the layout, and a long-time player at Shiskine Golf Club on the Isle of Arran, Whitelaw was familiar with the concept of a shorter format.
“We’ve played Shiskine for 35 years or something and just loved the whole idea of going out and playing for two-and-a-quarter hours…. It’s just a lovely number.”
Whitelaw said he reflected on the fact that there were a handful of 18-hole members-only clubs in and around the south side of Glasgow that he would have to compete with if he kept the original layout of Eastwood Golf Club.
“Why would we establish another 18-hole members-only course that had already failed?” he said.
The idea for a 12-hole course was developed in 2021, with Eastwood Twelve opening its gates in June 2025.
Eastwood's existing parcel of land contained a collection of holes that Whitelaw believed could work in the shorter format.
The resulting course has five par threes and seven par fours, including two par fours of more than 400 yards.
“It’s actually a very good test of golf, and we established a set of three tees so we could have something for the higher handicappers, but a real challenge for the low handicappers,” Whitelaw said.
Just over a year after opening, Eastwood Twelve has amassed more than 320 members. Roughly half of its rounds are being played by visitors.
Whitelaw said there was plenty of demand after opening, with curious visitors coming from afar to test the new layout, and that the club’s only hiccup this year was the “appalling” weather during spring, which he estimated had lost them 10% of their turnover.
“It’s been a rollercoaster… but it’s all going in the right direction,” he said.
The club has also taken a different approach to marketing.
Whitelaw credits his daughter Samantha, the club's general manager, with building its presence on social media platforms Instagram and TikTok.
“The power of Instagram and TikTok has driven our business, without a doubt. If you look at our figures in terms of followers, it’s quite amazing for a wee company. That’s been a big eye-opener for me.”
The result has been a club that draws both members and visitors, rather than relying solely on traditional membership.
Whitelaw said a lot of people want to get out and hit a ball, but many think that 18 holes is too many and 9 isn’t enough.
“When people come off the golf course… particularly the ones that have not been before, the first thing they say is, ‘12 holes, that’s a brilliant number’.
“To get dressed up, to get your kit out and go out for an hour-and-a-half is just not quite enough, but to go out for 12 holes, two-and-a-quarter hours, is a much better prospect.”
As for the demographic of golfers attracted by Eastwood Twelve, Whitelaw said the vast majority were time-precious people aged 30 to 50 who would play before, after or during the working day for a few hours.
“We have a lot of business owners who can nick away, but we don’t actually have a lot of older people.”
Whitelaw said the club has worked hard to improve the quality of the course, including through investment in five robotic mowers.
“The quality of the cut and everything… The fairways are fantastic because of that.”
Whitelaw says there were fewer than 10 12-hole courses around the world when he first began looking seriously at the concept.
He now puts the number at 33, including around eight in the UK.
Asked if 12-hole courses would become more prevalent in golf’s future, he said “definitely”.
“People are more time-precious. I think the modern man is not allowed to disappear on a Saturday morning at 8am and come home at 5pm, that’s a big factor. There’s just so much more going on in life… there’s so much to do.
“I think the demands on people nowadays are more inclusive, I think families are more inclusive. People want to still play golf, but they recognise they can’t escape for seven hours.”
Talking about the state of Scotland’s golfing market, which has approximately 550 to 600 courses, Whitelaw said there are too many for the playing population, meaning “a lot of courses are on the margin”.
“Scotland is overshopped, that’s the problem, there’s so much choice.
“There’s this problem, and you can see it happening, that the poorer facilities go and chase the market down, and they spiral out of control and get into this situation where you get £10 Tuesdays. It’s just nonsense, and there’s no future in that, but I’m not sure what you do about that because they survive, just.”
He suggested that developing a new 12-hole course would be too expensive given the potential returns, but there was a real market for transforming an existing course.
“I think there’s definitely a market for it.
“I think quality is the key to the element, it’s not the quantity, actually. If you’ve got a quality product, people will come up and pay for it.”
He referenced the quality of Cabot Highlands in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, and how people would happily travel to experience it.
“That whole Moray-Firth neck from Royal Dornoch right to Nairn is just becoming so exciting, and people are really happy to go up there and travel to play these links courses, it’s fantastic.”
Whitelaw said if he were to open another 12-hole course, he would try to do it with a links layout, “because you get better all-year-round play”.
“But as I say, we inherited this situation, and it’s a moorland course, but it plays more like a parkland course frankly.”
As for Eastwood Twelve, a full seven-day membership is currently priced at £795, which Whitelaw says will increase once the club has built a solid membership base.
“It’s less than two-thirds of what the equivalent courses are nearby… We’re very competitive at the moment, but obviously hoping longer term that will nudge its way up.”
Trump Turnberry has announced the opening of its new 12-hole golf course at Donald Trump’s South Ayrshire resort in Scotland. The par-three course, featuring holes from 70 to 206 yards, is promised to offer “something completely different while maintaining the same commitment to quality”. At £120 for 12 holes, ‘Trump’s Twelve’ is priced at a premium by short-course standards, positioning it as an extension of the Turnberry experience rather than simply an alternative to the resort’s practice facilities. “Trump Turnberry continues to set the standard for world-class golf,” Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organisation said. “The Ailsa and King Robert the Bruce are recognised among the finest championship courses anywhere, and Trump’s Twelve completes an exceptional collection.” Built on land previously occupied by the Arran Course, Trump’s Twelve was designed by Turnberry's in-house team, led by Director of Golf Courses and Estates Allan Patterson. It combines undulating greens, natural wasteland areas and carefully positioned water features, creating a short-course layout for golfers of all abilities. The course’s official opening on August 10 comes after recent enhancements to Turnberry’s Ailsa course and the development of the resort’s PGA-certified Golf Academy and practice facilities. “This new course is another example of our long-term investment in the transformation of Turnberry and our ambition to create unforgettable golfing experiences for every guest who visits the resort,” Trump said. Artificial grass tee-lines ensure every hole has the option of a premium teeing area regardless of the conditions. Turnberry General Manager Nic Oldham said the course is “another exciting addition” to what is believed to be one of the finest golfing experiences anywhere in the world. “Complementing the Ailsa and King Robert the Bruce, this course is every bit as enjoyable for families, Academy guests and experienced players looking to sharpen an important part of their game. It reflects our continued commitment to providing outstanding experiences for every golfer who visits Turnberry." Trump’s Twelve will also serve as an integral part of the Trump Turnberry Golf Academy, providing an ideal environment for beginners taking their first steps into the game, juniors developing their skills and accomplished golfers refining their wedge play, distance control and scoring. "This is a fantastic addition to the academy. Short-game performance is where golfers save shots, and Trump's Twelve gives us an outstanding environment that simply wasn't available before. Whether someone is picking up a club for the first time or preparing for tournament golf, the course allows us to coach every aspect of scoring in realistic playing conditions.” Turnberry Golf Academy Manager Alistair Kyle said. "It will become a key part of our coaching programmes, junior development, family experiences and academy packages while also offering tremendous enjoyment for guests simply looking to play a memorable round."
Scotland has golf courses for every standard of golfer. While its famous championship links attract visitors from around the world, some of the best places for beginners are shorter, less intimidating and considerably easier on the wallet. Top100 has compiled 10 courses that offer an enjoyable introduction to Scottish golf, taking into account their length, difficulty, green fees and overall atmosphere. Some are classic links, others are inland parkland courses, but all offer something that makes them worth considering for a golfer still finding their feet. 1. Gullane No.3 Why play it: Short, scenic East Lothian links Length: 5,134 yards (4,695m) - Par 67 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: £70 Best for: First taste of links golf Gullane No.3 may sit in the shadow of its more famous neighbours, but it's an excellent introduction to East Lothian links golf. At just over 5,200 yards, it's short enough to be approachable for beginners, with only one par four exceeding 400 yards, while strategically placed bunkers and slick greens still provide plenty of challenge. The biggest reward comes between the fourth and 15th, where the course climbs Gullane Hill before opening up to spectacular views across the Firth of Forth. With Muirfield, North Berwick, Luffness New and Kilspindie all visible from the higher ground, it's a brilliant way to experience one of Scotland's great golfing regions without the price tag or pressure of its more famous neighbours. 2. Kilspindie Golf Club Why play it: Quirky seaside golf packed into a compact layout Length: 5,494 yards (5,024m) - Par 69 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: £120 Best for: Fun, informal links golf Kilspindie is almost tailor-made for beginners looking to experience traditional Scottish links golf. Measuring just under 5,500 yards, the course places far more emphasis on accuracy than distance, with seven of its 13 par fours measuring less than 300 yards. Its compact layout beside Aberlady Bay also means you can enjoy a genuine seaside golfing experience without the intimidation of a long championship course. Founded in 1867, Kilspindie is steeped in history, while its secluded setting beside the nature reserve gives the course a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. From the opening ‘Point’ to the 252-yard closing hole, ‘Home’, the layout is packed with quirky, old-fashioned holes that reward beginners who learn to plot their way around rather than simply reaching for the driver. 3. St Andrews Links - Strathtyrum Course Why play it: The easiest route into playing St Andrews Length: 5,628 yards (5,146m) - Par 69 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: £60 Best for: First-time visitors wanting to play St Andrews The Strathtyrum is arguably one of the best options for beginners wanting to play at St Andrews. Opened in 1993 and designed by Donald Steel and David Thomas, the 5,628-yard layout is shorter and more forgiving than the Old Course, with generous fairways and relatively straightforward greens giving newer golfers room to enjoy themselves. Its fairways are framed by 15 bunkers, while cleverly positioned hazards and several water features provide enough challenge to keep experienced golfers interested. The Strathtyrum allows beginners to experience the atmosphere of St Andrews Links without the pressure associated with its more historic courses. 4. The Glen Golf Club Why play it: Spectacular coastal views and approachable links golf Length: 6,275 yards (5,738m) - Par 70 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: £100 Best for: Scenic golf The Glen is a brilliant choice for beginners who want to experience Scottish links golf without being overwhelmed by length. Nine of its 12 par fours measure under 400 yards, while relatively gentle greens and generous opportunities from the tee make it possible to enjoy the course without needing a perfect game. The real highlight, however, is the scenery, with much of the course perched above the Firth of Forth and views towards Bass Rock, Fidra and Fife. The famous 13th, known as the ‘Sea Hole’, runs alongside the coastline, while the dramatic downhill 18th at ‘Jacob's Ladder’ provides a memorable finish. With the beaches and walking trails of North Berwick surrounding the course, The Glen has a relaxed, holiday atmosphere that makes it particularly appealing to newer golfers. 5. Hopeman Golf Club Why play it: Affordable clifftop links with spectacular views Length: 5,624 yards (5,143 m) - Par 68 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From £60 Best for: Affordable coastal golf Hopeman is a great reminder that Scottish links golf isn't all about length. The Moray Firth course rewards accuracy rather than power, with gorse lining its fairways and just one par five on the scorecard. For beginners, that makes it an inviting place to learn how to plot your way around a links rather than simply trying to overpower it. The highlight is the 12th, a 150-yard par three played from an elevated tee more than 100 feet above the green at Clashach Cove. With panoramic views across the Firth, it's the sort of hole that can make a beginner fall in love with Scottish golf. The course has been played since 1909 and remains a wonderfully traditional, unpretentious links experience. 6. Crieff Golf Club - The Ferntower Course Why play it: Friendly parkland golf in a spectacular setting Length: 6,493 yards (5,937m) - Par 71 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From £70 Best for: Relaxed inland golf For beginners who want to experience Scotland beyond the links, Crieff is an excellent alternative. Set among the rolling parkland of the Strathearn Valley, the course offers generous fairways and relatively forgiving rough, making it possible for newer golfers to enjoy their round without constantly searching for their ball. Crieff has plenty of golfing pedigree, too, with an original nine-hole layout designed by Old Tom Morris in 1891 before Robert Simpson and James Braid helped develop it into an 18-hole course. Add in its friendly welcome and excellent value, and Crieff offers a relaxed way for beginners to experience Scottish golf away from the country's famous links. 7. Prestwick St Nicholas Why play it: Traditional links golf without the championship price tag Length: 6,044 yards (5,526 m) - Par 69 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: £110 Best for: Traditional Scottish golf Prestwick St Nicholas is proof that a golf course doesn't need to be long to be a challenge. Described by Henry Cotton as a “miniature championship course”, its generous fairways make it approachable for newer golfers, but blind shots, strategically placed bunkers and tricky greens mean course management is essential. There's plenty of history here, too. The club's members originally played on the neighbouring Prestwick course, which hosted the first 12 Open Championships between 1860 and 1872. For beginners, it offers a chance to experience traditional Ayrshire links golf without having to take on one of the region's more intimidating championship layouts. 8. St Andrews Links - Eden Course Why play it: Authentic St Andrews links with a little more challenge Length: 6,140 yards (5,614m) - Par 70 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: £80 Best for: Beginners ready to step up If the Old Course feels too intimidating, or its £355 green fee is simply out of reach, the Eden offers a far more accessible way to play at St Andrews. Designed by Harry Colt in 1914, this par 70 layout provides a genuine links experience without the pressure or price tag of the Old Course. The Eden is strategic rather than brutally difficult, with generous fairways giving beginners room to find their feet. The challenge comes around the greens, where deep bunkers, humps and hollows demand a little more thought. With a two-tiered fifth green and the tricky 17th among its highlights, the Eden is an ideal next step for golfers who want to experience the Home of Golf while testing themselves. 9. Dunbar Golf Club Why play it: Classic links golf with a little more bite Length: 6,547 yards (5,987m) - Par 71 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From £145 Best for: Beginners ready for a challenge Dunbar is a step up in difficulty from some of the shorter courses on this list, but it offers an excellent introduction to the more demanding side of Scottish links golf. The course hugs the North Sea coastline for much of its back nine, with spectacular views towards Bass Rock and the wind adding an extra layer of challenge. For beginners, it's a chance to discover why links golf requires more than simply hitting the ball straight and far. There's plenty of history to enjoy along the way, too. Golf has been played around Dunbar since the 17th century, while the course has benefited from the influence of Old Tom Morris, Ben Sayers and James Braid. 10. Brora Golf Club Why play it: Wild, natural links golf with a relaxed atmosphere Length: 6,211 yards (5,679m) - Par 70 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From £180 Best for: An adventurous first links trip Brora offers beginners something that the famous championship courses often can't: the chance to experience a truly natural Scottish links without the pressure of a world-famous name. The 6,211-yard course isn't overly long, but its exposed coastal setting means the wind can quickly change the challenge. The opening nine runs remarkably close to the North Sea, with the second tee perched beside the beach and spectacular views stretching along the coastline. James Braid redesigned Brora in 1923, and relatively little has changed since. The 162-yard ninth, named the ‘Sea Hole’, is a particular highlight, while the closing par three provides a suitably challenging finish. Five-time Open Champion, the late Peter Thomson regularly played Brora and called it one of his favourite links courses in the world. Which Course is Best for You? With so many excellent options, the best Scottish golf course for a beginner depends on the type of experience you're looking for. Best for a first links experience: Gullane No.3 - Short enough to be approachable, but still delivers the classic East Lothian links experience. Best for experiencing St Andrews: St Andrews Strathtyrum - A more forgiving introduction to the Home of Golf than the Old Course. Best scenery: The Glen - Few courses on this list can match its views across North Berwick and the Firth of Forth. Best value: Hopeman - Affordable green fees and spectacular Moray Firth scenery make it an excellent option for golfers on a budget. Best traditional experience: Prestwick St Nicholas - A chance to experience traditional Ayrshire links golf without tackling one of the region's toughest championship courses. Best inland option: Crieff - A scenic alternative to links golf, with a more relaxed setting for golfers still finding their feet. Best for a challenge: Dunbar - Longer and more demanding than some of the other courses on this list, but a good choice for beginners looking to test themselves. Best for character: Kilspindie - A short, quirky and highly memorable links where no two holes quite feel the same. Green fees quoted are summer 2026 rates where available
The Home of Golf is a bucket-list destination for any golfer, but experiencing some of Scotland's best courses can quickly become an expensive pursuit. Fortunately, you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to play some of the country's highest-ranked courses. From historic inland layouts to remote links on the coast, Scotland is home to plenty of exceptional courses that can be played for less than £100. Top100 has collated five of the highest-ranked courses open to the public for under £100, offering travelling golfers the chance to experience some of Scotland's finest golf without the premium price tag. 1. Lanark Golf Club (Lanarkshire) Scotland ranking: 33rd | Green fee: £90 If you're looking for affordable golf with considerable history behind it, Lanark is hard to beat, with a round setting you back £90. Founded in 1851, it lays claim to being the world's oldest inland golf course – and the 25th oldest golf club in the world – with more than 170 years of golf played on the same stretch of common land. But history isn't the only reason to visit. Sitting around 600 feet above sea level on free-draining glacial sand, Lanark has the characteristics you might expect from a links rather than a moorland course. The layout also carries the fingerprints of two of golf's greatest architects, with Old Tom Morris creating an 18-hole routing in 1897 before James Braid reshaped four holes in 1927. While Lanark will certainly test more experienced golfers, its charm isn't reserved for the low-handicapper. The varied terrain, interesting greens and relatively forgiving setting make it an enjoyable course for anyone keen to experience traditional Scottish golf. For golfers still finding their feet, it offers a chance to play somewhere with genuine history and character without feeling like they've stepped onto an intimidating championship stage. Located in Scotland's Central Lowlands, the 33rd-ranked course in the country is easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, with both cities less than an hour's drive away. 2. Southerness Golf Club (Dumfries & Galloway) Scotland ranking: 36th | Green fee: £95 If you're looking to escape the crowds without compromising on quality, Southerness is well worth the journey. Perched on a remote headland on the Solway coast, this lesser-known links offers spectacular views across the water to the mountains of the Lake District, with Criffel providing an impressive backdrop. Founded in 1947, the course was laid out by Philip Mackenzie Ross, a former partner of renowned architect Tom Simpson, and is widely regarded as his finest solo composition. At just over 6,500 yards, Southerness may appear manageable on paper, but its par of 69 makes it a stern test, with eight par fours measuring more than 400 yards. Gorse and heather line the fairways, while some of the best holes hug the shoreline. Despite its challenge, generous fairways provide plenty of room to enjoy the course, making Southerness an appealing choice for golfers of varying abilities. Ranked 36th in Scotland and costing just £95, it's a superb-value way to experience genuine Scottish links golf without the crowds. 3. Pitlochry Golf Course (Perth & Kinross) Scotland ranking: 58th | Green fee: £85 “Where golf, beauty and the social life go hand in hand,” a common description of Pitlochry Golf Club reads. Set above the colourful Victorian town of the same name, the course winds through the Perthshire hills with spectacular views at almost every turn. It's a setting that makes the walk between shots feel just as rewarding as the golf itself. Designed by Willie Fernie in 1908 and later tweaked by Major Cecil Hutchison, Pitlochry makes full use of the natural landscape of the Balnacraig and Drumchorry farms. The opening three holes climb steeply uphill, but the effort is rewarded with some of the finest views on the course. At under 5,700 yards and a par of 69, Pitlochry doesn’t intimidate on the scorecard, but its small, fast greens and dramatic changes in elevation make it a deceptively tricky test. With no par fives, and holes crossing gorges and valleys, there's plenty to keep experienced golfers interested while its friendly atmosphere makes it an inviting choice for those still finding their game. Ranked 58th in Scotland for just £85, it's a scenic and affordable addition to any Scottish golf trip. 4. Gullane Golf Club – No.3 (Edinburgh & Lothians) Scotland ranking: 59th | Green fee: £70 Gullane No.3 may live in the shadow of its famous neighbours, but calling it a lesser course would be a serious disservice. Opened in 1910, this compact links offers the same superb conditioning and spectacular East Lothian setting as Gullane No.1 and No.2, but at a far more accessible price. At just over 5,200 yards, length isn't the key to scoring here. With only one par four exceeding 400 yards, Gullane No.3 rewards accurate approach play and a confident putting stroke, while strategically placed bunkers and slick greens provide plenty of challenge. The course climbs Gullane Hill between the fourth and 15th holes, with the reward being one of the finest views in Scottish golf – across the Firth of Forth, with the other two Gullane courses to the right, and Luffness New, Kilspindie and Craigielaw all visible below. For golfers who want to experience one of Scotland's great golfing regions without breaking the bank, Gullane No.3 is an easy choice. With two top-10-ranked Scottish courses nearby in Muirfield and North Berwick, Gullane No.3 is also an ideal addition to a multi-course East Lothian itinerary. Ranked 59th in Scotland and costing just £70, it's one of the country's best-value links experiences. 5. St Andrews Links – Eden Course (Fife) Scotland ranking: 62nd | Green fee: £80 Struggling to get on the Old Course, or not wanting to pay £355 for the privilege? You can still walk the links of the Home of Golf and play at St Andrews for just £80, with the Eden Course offering a very different – and far more affordable – way to experience this legendary golfing destination. The Eden is by no means a mere alternative, with five-time Open champion Tom Watson once describing its front nine as being up there with the best in the world. Designed by Harry Colt in 1914, it is a strategic rather than punishing test, with generously proportioned fairways giving way to some of the most undulating greens across the St Andrews Links Trust courses. Deep pot bunkers, fairway humps and hollows and out-of-bounds hazards keep you thinking your way around the 6,112-yard, par-70 layout. The course's standout holes include the two-tiered fifth green and the challenging 17th, while the pond between the 14th and 15th is the only inland water hazard across the Links Trust courses. Ranked 62nd in Scotland, the Eden is a fantastic option for golfers who want the St Andrews experience without the Old Course price tag. Green fees quoted are summer 2026 rates where available
