If you are planning a golf break in Scotland this year and find yourself wondering if there is any real option other than playing your golf in St Andrews, let me tell you that there are many choices.
East is not necessarily the best, although we would be the first to admit that Golf in St Andrews is very high on everybody's list.
Perthshire also has much to offer the golfing visitor, with many lesser known golf courses such as Auchterarder and Blairgowrie, hidden gems as the golfing fraternity likes to call them.
The Gleneagles PGA Centenary course is hosting the 2014 Ryder Cup match between Europe and The United States of America, a wonderful course in the middle of beautiful Perthshire.
It's a great event that has been eagerly awaited.
Always leave enough travelling time between golf courses when planning your golf breaks in Scotland.
When studying a map and looking at Royal Troon on the Ayrshire coast, don't be lured in to thinking you can play on the east coast, and be back in time for a short round before dinner across in Fife.
Our roads are not as wide and straight as some you may normally drive on, they are slower moving.
Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
There is always tomorrow! If you are hoping for some golf in St Andrews, there are many courses found within a few miles of the Old Course.
Kingsbarns is a wonderful golfing experience, and the view is just about the same as it is only just a little further up the coast.
There are many quirky golf courses on offer if you have decided on Scotland as your holiday destination.
Not too far from Edinburgh you can find Musselburgh, where in 1672 golf was first recorded as being played on their Old Course Links.
It's understood that Mary Queen of Scots actually played golf there as long ago as 1567.
You can even hire some old hickory clubs if you want to get a real feel for the history of golf.
If you are coming to Scotland to play golf on any of the Championship courses, be aware that you might have to produce your handicap certificate, especially at The Old Course in St Andrews and Royal Troon.
At present it's 24 for men and 36 for women, and less at Troon.
A few of these clubs may require you to play on a second course as part of your green fee.
Always check out the dress code beforehand for these major golf courses.
A holiday in the Lowlands or the Highlands of Scotland, or a visit to the Mecca of golf in Fife on the east coast, you'll find that no day is really long enough to take it all in.
Please visit our web site at golf-link-scotland to help you decide on your options where we have a comprehensive golf course listing with contact information.