Scotland is known as the home of golf, and there’s very good reason for this. With over 550 courses, it’s safe to say we’re spoiled for choice, especially when it comes to some budget-friendly hidden gems.

From the treelined hills of Oban to the stunning coastline at Moray, we’ve picked five of our favourite unsung heroes that we hope will start to appear on more peoples radars.

Dunaverty, Southend

Dunaverty is a scenic seaside links, set on the southern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula with gorgeous views over Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig, and the Mull of Kintyre.

Expect a short but highly engaging layout, where natural contours, quirky holes, and small greens demand creativity over distance.

A visit offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a round that feels more like a coastal wander than a conventional game of golf. Take your time on the 11th tee and soak in the view westwards towards Mull and the coast of Ulster beyond.

Green fees range from £60 on the weekends in summer, all the way down to £25 during the winter months. The one caveat with Dunaverty is that for most, it will be a long journey to reach Southend. However, you can combine Dunaverty with Machrihanish Golf Club and Machrihanish Dunes for an incredible golf trip, well worth the pilgrimage!

View our three rounds on YouTube below:

Cullen Links, Buckie

Cullen Links offers a unique golfing experience on the world’s shortest yet most scenic true links course.

It is set dramatically along the rugged Moray Firth coastline and certainly exposed to the Scottish elements. The layout features many blind shots, dramatic elevation changes, and holes designed through towering red sandstone rocks.

Its charm lies in the blend of holes, breathtaking scenery, and a warm, welcoming clubhouse atmosphere. Green fee’s are £60 in peak season for 18-holes, however, the club regularly offers promotional discounts especially in their winter months. Keep an eye out on their social media pages for these!

Cullen was our first ever YouTube video! Of course, a lot on the filming side went wrong, however, the video still shows the beauty of the golf course.

We’ll certainly need to head back to Cullen soon – this time with working microphones, hopefully… 👀

Anstruther, Fife

Anstruther Golf Club is a charming nine-hole coastal course in Fife, Scotland. It is renowned for stunning views over the Firth of Forth and its famously challenging par-3 fifth hole, “Rockies.” 

Although only a 9-hole course, very few would complain about heading back around the loop to complete a full 18. Green fees vary depending on the time of year, however you can expect to pay around £30 in peak summer for 9-holes at Anstruther.

Given its proximity to St Andrews, Anstruther is certainly a perfect addition to any golf trip in Fife. Not to be missed amongst the big names!

Glencruitten, Oban

Glencruitten Golf Club is set in the hills above Oban on the west coast of Scotland. The course offer a scenic and varied round with incredible views over the town and surrounding islands.

Designed by the legendary James Braid, the course combines tree-lined fairways, undulating terrain, and natural hazards to test golfers of all abilities. Several holes feature significant elevation changes, requiring both accurate shot placement and careful club selection.

The peaceful and mountainous setting adds to the charm and sense of escape at Glencruitten.

The course is also routed through heavy forest so you rarely come across other golfers. Friendly staff and a welcoming clubhouse complete the experience, with plenty of memorabilia celebrating local hero Bob MacIntyre, who grew up playing here.

At £60 during its peak, you’re sure to enjoy this fun, quirky course in the gateway to Scotland, without breaking the bank.

Covesea, Moray

Covesea takes your breath away the moment you drive down the single track road entrance.

Set right on the edge of the North Sea, almost every hole gives you amazing coastal views. The 5th green is something truly special – perched high above the shoreline, it’s the highest point on the course and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.

The layout is compact, but very interesting, with a mix of holes ranging from 100 yard par 3’s to 400 yard par 4’s. With rolling fairways, natural dunes, and the ever-present sea breeze keeping you on your toes, it feels like an authentic Scottish links course, despite only being opened in 2012.

Then there’s the 7th hole, where you actually have to hit your tee shot over a gigantic rock – it’s the sort of quirky challenge you’ll never forget.

It’s a course full of character, beauty, and is so secluded you forget about the busy world outside of the cove.

We played in April, meaning we had a small discount, however a full summer green fee is still only £25 for 9-holes!

And that’s just a small amount Scotland has to offer! Be sure to follow along if you want to see more hidden gem courses from the home of golf. And as always, please reach out with your suggestions and we’ll be sure to add them to the list and feature them across CGgolfs ⛳️