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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

With more than 550 courses packed within its borders, Scotland may seem to have more than its fair share of golf. But this is the home of the game and the place where it was born over six centuries ago, so if there is anywhere that should have the best courses and more of them, this is it.

Turnberry's Ailsa Course hosts the 2009 British Open

The problem with having such a profusion of world-class layouts is that while a few receive a lot of attention, most receive little and many of these are all but ignored.

The first time golf traveler making the pilgrimage Across the Pond, typically has St. Andrews on top of their mind and understandably so. In and around this historic town, some two-dozen links layouts, all top quality; literally call out to be played.

It often isn't until the second or third trip that many venture too far away from St. Andrews ancient walls and begin to discover this is the land of golfing plenty and there are many other groupings of outstanding courses that are every bit as enticing.

Royal Troon hosts the 2008 British Seniors Open

They exist in the Highlands and along the Scottish Borders; they surround the city of Aberdeen and along the northeast coast. You will find them around Edinburgh and the golf rich county of East Lothian. They are in central Scotland, the county of Angus and one of the heaviest concentrations will be found along the Ayrshire shoreline in southwest Scotland.

This is home to Turnberry's renowned Ailsa Course, ranked number one in the entire British Isles and a three time British Open host, scheduled as venue for golf's event of the year for the fourth occasion in 2009.

Only a half hour's drive from Turnberry is the seaside resort of Troon, Scotland's western golf headquarters and home to Royal Troon, a seasoned veteran for eight Open Champion ships so far and 2008 host to the Senior British Open when Tom Watson defends his crown.

Original venue for The British Open, Prestwick, shouldn't be missed

Venerable Prestwick Golf Club, where the first dozen British Open Championships were held between 1860 and 1872, is only a brief ten-minute drive away. Prestwick hosted a total of 24 Opens before it was retired from the event in 1925 and belongs on the must play list of every golf aficionado.

But this is still only the beginning of Ayrshire's golf story -- Troon maybe only a small town of 15,000 inhabitants, but it's big on golf with no less than 15 courses within a 15-minute drive of the town center and there are some sparkling gems among them.

If you are looking to play the best of the best, Turnberry Ailsa, Royal Troon and Prestwick shouldn't be missed, but selecting an additional two or three courses to play, will allow you to take full advantage of your Troon stay. It will bring another dimension to the trip and an opportunity to experience another side of Scottish golf.

Western Gailes is one of Ayrshire's best

Take a little guidance in the selection process from the organizers of next year's British Senior Open, who have already selected Royal Troon as venue for the main event.

The R&A, together with the Senior European Tour, have also chosen three Troon area layouts as qualifying courses. These guys know the courses they use as qualifiers, must be of a standard and condition that will provide a serious test of golf to some of the world's best professional and amateur golfers. Follow their cue and you can't go wrong -- Western Gailes, Dundonald and Glasgow Gailes fit the bill perfectly.

Western Gailes is one of Scotland's most under-rated, classic links layouts and about as tough as a links can get. Wedged between sand dunes and a railway line, if there was only more room to accommodate the crowds drawn to an Open, this beauty would be a part of the prestigious small group of courses that are Open venues -- it really is that good.

Kyle Phillip's brilliant design at Dundonald

But take full advantage of the lack of fame and make Western Gailes an essential part of any visit to this part of Scotland. You'll find more of the finer things of golf here than on practically any other course.

Dundonald gives the impression of being one of those historic links layouts that has been sitting around for a century or two. Nothing could be further from the truth; it's only 4 years old. This is a truly masterful design from American, Kyle Phillips of Kingsbarns fame, the links just outside of St. Andrews that has been lauded since it opened in 2000.

Dundonald is the younger sibling that proves Kingsbarns was no fluke and Phillips has simply, done it again. Owned by the ultra-private Loch Lomond Golf Club, Dundonald currently offers limited visitor times and I can only suggest you take advantage of it before there's a change of heart.

The testy challenge at Glasgow Gailes is too often overlooked by visitors

Dundonald is heading for a future glory that will have anyone who has missed an opportunity to play it, kicking themselves.

Glasgow Gailes is another often overlooked layout, deserving of far more attention from visitors. Laid out along the Ayrshire coast, just north of Troon, the greens here are something to behold and among the best to be found anywhere in Scotland. This is a layout filled with variety that seems never to present the same or even a similar challenge twice.

Thinking golfers who are accurate and can avoid the thoroughly obnoxious rough, will do well, but those with a tendency to stray away from the required path, may have a less than pleasant experience. There's nothing unfair about Glasgow Gailes, it just doesn't know the word forgiveness -- be warned.

It may be the trophy courses of Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick that draw you to the golfing wonderland that is the Ayrshire coast, but miss some of the lesser known jewels that flourish here and you will be missing a real treat.

For a few ideas and suggestions on how to include more of Ayrshire's golf in your trip, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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