While the likes of Perthshire, Aberdeen City and Shire and Ayrshire grab all the global golf headlines, the Scottish Borders remain a bit of a golfing secret. This is surprising given that this extremely accessible region boasts more than 20 courses that offer everything from testing parkland 18-hole challenges, through to family friendly nine-hole courses that showcase why this is one of the friendliest golf destinations in Britain. With a swathe of rolling hills and winding rivers, as well as a superb golf pass, which this year celebrates its 21st anniversary, the Borders stack up as a top notch golfing break.
Play the Famous Roxburghe Golf Course in the Scottish Borders
Perhaps the most famous course in the Borders is The Roxburghe Championship Golf Course, which is said to be one of Sam Torrance’s favourites. Designed by Dave Thomas, one time Ryder Cup player turned golf architect and the man behind the Belfry, this 18-hole course spreads across the expansive Roxburghe Estate, which is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Not many courses can boast a clubhouse set in a Jacobean mansion. With trees, rolling hills and the River Teviot running through this is a scenic wonder.
Don’t let the beauty or the generous greens fool you, though, as the bunkers are deep and you’ll need good iron control to shoot a low score. The signature hole is the Viaduct, a par five monster with an elevated tee that offers a sweep of scenery as well as views of the eponymous viaduct. Afterwards you can spend the night at the historic Roxburghe Hotel or just enjoy a meal in one of the Borders’ best restaurants here.
First Rate Cardrona Golf Course at the Cardrona Golf & Spa Hotel
Another Borders star is the Cardrona. Another modern course, opened in 2001, it is again the work of Dave Thomas. This beguiling par 72 mix of parkland and woodland features wide and undulating USGA greens and a distance of over 7,000yds from the medal tees. It offers a real test and Cardrona has featured on the European Challenge Tour. It is renowned for its large contoured greens and unforgiving bunkers with the outward nine simply outstanding, with the 7th the highlight as you have to hole out on an elevated green. The golf friendly Cardrona Hotel is also on hand with a restaurant overflowing with local produce and rooms overlooking the course.
Great Golf Courses Dotted Throughout the Scottish Borders
Just along the road from Cardrona is the trim Borders town of Peebles, where the course at Peebles Golf Club is a thrilling uphill challenge. A round here really brings out the best of the sort of Borders scenery that so entranced writers such as Sir Walter Scott. Course characteristics include lush fairways and velvety greens.
The oldest club in the Borders meanwhile is at Hawick. It was established in 1877 and it is an illustrious place with Colin Montgomerie, Tony Jacklin and Nick Faldo all honorary members. In fact Faldo holds the course record at Hawick’s Vertish Hill course with a sparkling 64. The course follows the contours of Vertish Hill with the higher holes opening up sweeping views.
Golf in the Borders does not stop there. Torwoodlee is an 18-hole 6,021yds par 69 parkland gem shrouded by trees on the banks of the River Gala, while the 18 holes of Duns Golf Club lie by the Lammermuir Hills, founded in 1894 but not extended to 18 holes until 1997. Then there is the Woll Golf Course at the New Woll Estate near Selkirk, a parkland par 70 that is a bit more forgiving than most Scottish 18 hole courses.
Golfing Right on the Scottish-English Border
Moving south right on the Border with England a final Scottish golfing flourish is The Hirsel Golf Club. Part of the Hirsel Estate this parkland treasure offers views out across the Cheviot Hills. With its par 3 holes laden with water hazards The Hirzel has even been dubbed ‘Scotland’s Augusta’. Also near the border in the east is the Borders’ only coastal course, Eyemouth. The village is most famous for its superb seafood, but the golf is first class too. The stand out hole is the sixth, which is easily one of the most spectacular in the country. It is a real test of nerve as you have to clear a large gully to make the green and have a chance of making a good score on this par three.
Nine-Hole Golf Courses in the Scottish Borders
Golf in the Scottish Borders is not all about testing courses and championships though. The region is one of the most open and friendly for beginners and families too. There are myriad nine-hole courses dotted all around. St Boswells Golf Club by the River Tweed is actually a bit of a test despite only having 9 holes and it is real visual treat too. Other enjoyable nine-hole options include Melrose Golf Course, which dates back as far as 1880, Selkirk, a heathland course laid out by Musselburgh’s Willie Park, and Newcastleton, a scenic gem that dates back over a hundred years, but which is seldom busy.
Golf Passes for Golfing in the Scottish Borders
What really helps the Borders excel for a golfing break is Scotland’s best selling golf pass. This initiative comes of age this year as it celebrates its 21st anniversary of offering easy access and major discounts on the region’s courses. The Freedom of the Fairways (.Tel. 01835-863170) has a range of well tailored options. It is easy to see why it is so popular. The options include a three day pass that costs just £105 and allows up to six rounds of golf on consecutive days or four rounds if your play includes weekends. The five day pass is priced at £145 and permits up to 10rounds of golf on five consecutive weekdays or eight rounds if your play includes a round at a weekend.
While the likes of the brand new Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen Shire and forthcoming Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles in Perthshire grab all the golfing headlines at the moment the Scottish Borders remain something of a tempting golf secret. This easily accessible and compact region is ideal for a golfing break, though, with Scotland’s most popular golf pass testament to the great value on offer, whether you are wanting to test yourself on a challenging 18-hole course or just enjoy a relaxed nine-hole round amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.
