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Flat parkland course, part woodland with fine examples of pine, larch and silver birch. Adjacent to the more famous Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course, which hosts the 2014 Ryder Cup, but with a character all of its own. Short it may be but it can be tricky with cunning doglegs and guarded greens meaning that accuracy brings more rewards than sheer power. With great views across to Glendevon, it has an attractive wooded stretch from the 6th to the 13th.

After almost quarter of a century, the Open Championship returned to Carnoustie in 1999 and lived up to its reputation as the toughest links course in the world. Most of the world`s top players struggled to tame the 7,361-yard monster.

Precision golf required on this heathland course with tricky rollercoaster greens set within pines,silver birch and heather. In this tranquil setting it is easy to lose yourself in a layout so conceived that you barely notice other groups of golfers. Founded in 1894 when the original 9 holes were laid down by Old Tom Morris and in 1934 James Braid designed the extension to 18 holes.

At first sight, Crieff looks a sporting course, not too testing with reasonably wide fairways, no heavy rough and always the chance of a shot no matter how wayward. On a summer’s day with the turf lush beneath your feet, breathing in the highland air and panoramic views of the Strathearn Valley, this long and undulating parkland course is a delightful golfing experience. But it can be deceptive. When the wind gets up and the rains set in Crieff could be renamed grief. The last time we played here was such a day. My partner, accustomed to hitting 280-yard drives, found it took him driver, 3-wood and 4-iron into the teeth of the gale to reach the green on the 454-yard par-4 seventh. But it’s not just the weather that makes this course, opened in 1980 in its present form incorporating some of the old holes designed by Robert Simpson of Carnoustie in 1913 and 11 new holes laid out on the policies of Ferntower House, an intriguing test of golf. It has a rich variety of holes that make the golfer think about what he is doing. There are three par 5s on the front nine but it is perhaps the two par 3s that catch out many. From your very first shot you have to get it right. The first is a deceptive par 3, the tee alongside the unusual rotunda professional shop. Slightly uphill with bunkers guarding the green right and left but only 163 yards with trees behind the green making it look even closer. If the pro had a pound for every tee shot that was short, he’d be a wealthy man. The aptly named Wee Knock, the 124-yard fourth, is another tester. Uphill to a well-bunkered green front and back with trees all around, it is all carry and you have to be spot on or else it can be costly.

Championship undulating parkland course with the Gelly Burn providing a hazard on a number of holes. One of the most challenging yet fair courses. It is a test for the top golfer yet remains playable for the novice. There are many good par-3s and 4s, but it is the five fantastic par-5s, which separate Downfield from most courses, and with trees and water features in evidence on most holes it is a beautiful place to play. Downfield has played host to the Scottish Amateur and Professional Championships but it was the hosting of the 1999 Final Open Qualifying that put it firmly on the golfing map and it again played the same role in 2007. Former Open champion Paul Lawrie says: 'Downfield is one of the finest inland courses in Britain.'

Founded in 1892, this heathland course was originally laid out during the First World War and has recently been extended to 18 holes. Panoramic views and adjacent loch is home to nesting ospreys.A new clubhouse will be opened in March 2002 to complete the re-development of the course.

Two wooded heathland courses with pines, silver birch, gorse, broom and heather. In 1977 Greg Norman won his first European Tour event on the Rosemount, which is regarded as one of the best inland courses in Britain. The Lansdowne, designed by  Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas, has tighter fairways and a more modern layout. Also a nine-hole course. Founded in 1889.