I came across Ru several years ago when he launched the excellent Scottish Golf Podcast - back in the days when there weren’t as many golf podcasts as there are today! It proved an invaluable resource for planning a golf trip to Scotland and Ru’s expertise led to appearances on many other shows, including No Laying Up and State of the Game.

Ru is a very busy man. He works at the European Tour in its brilliant social media team, and on top of that, has moved into hospitality with the launch of The Dunes at Cruden Bay. Look no further for perfect golf accommodation in the North East of Scotland.

I’m delighted to share Ru’s Favourite Scottish Courses. I hope you enjoy reading his words:

Despite being fortunate enough to visit many of the best golf courses internationally thanks to my role with the content team at the European Tour group, I felt under-qualified to comment given I rarely get to play them. Instead here are 10 Scottish golf courses which all offer enjoyable, memorable and unique golf experiences. They also happen to be my favourites.

CRUDEN BAY
Disclaimer - it’s my home course but also likely the catalyst for my deep love of the game and passion for Scottish links golf. Here come the clichés… no two rounds are the same, make time to play it twice, it’s fun and beautiful in equal measure and yes, embrace the blind shots!

NORTH BERWICK
I find those that love Cruden Bay also love North Berwick. It might be that both courses are fun and share the nice flow to their routings. Choose your parking spot carefully on arrival (I suggest avoiding the 200-230 yard landing area from 18 tee!) and make time for the clubhouse for a post round refreshment. I struggle to think of a golf course where I can recall every shot I hit like I can with North Berwick.

MACHRIHANISH
It might be the allure of Machrihanish’s remoteness that has me ranking it so highly. Yes, the opening tee shot is overrated (no, really it is!) but the stretch of holes on the front nine is a serene experience. These incredible holes are set amongst huge sand dunes and offer glimpse sightings of the island of Jura and the Atlantic Ocean. Sure the holes coming in are slightly underwhelming, but nothing’s perfect.

ROYAL DORNOCH
A lot is said and written about Royal Dornoch and most of it is true. Surprisingly, it was the course conditioning that stood out to me. Not just the greens and quality of turf but the firmness and the ability to use the ground as it was designed to be used. You know you’ve enjoyed a course when you walk off the last green and think 18 holes wasn’t enough.

CASTLE STUART
For me, the best modern links course in Scotland and frustratingly always criminally underrated in the golf course rankings. I love the playability of the course and the shots it demands round the greens. They say people make clubhouses and it’s certainly true here. No matter the Scottish Highlands temperature outside, nowhere does a warm and friendly welcome like the team at Castle Stuart.

OLD COURSE, ST ANDREWS
I admit it, I was underwhelmed after my first round on the Old Course. I‘ve since learned after several more rounds that it’s the madness of the Old Course that makes it so special. You hit shots here you’ll hit nowhere else and require imagination and creativity that I didn’t pack on my first visit.

FRASERBURGH
Fraserburgh is unknown to most but those lucky enough to play here are in for a treat. Ignoring the lacklustre start and finish, holes 12-17 might be the best in the region. It might also be home to the best collection of par 3 holes in the country!

THE MACHRIE
The recent redesign and resurrection of Machie on the island of Islay has breathed new life into this old links course. Like Castle Stuart, the playability of the course is welcome and often needed. The hotel on-site is perfect and the Scotch whisky capital of the world makes for a fun place to be after golf.

ELIE
Everything you would hope in a Scottish links golf course - history, blind shots, sea views and fun. Elie charms from start to finish and is always my first recommendation when asked about “golf courses near St Andrews”.

SHISKINE
Golf needs more Shiskines. Twelve amazing shortish holes on a Scottish island might be the perfect amount. Sure you’ll play better courses in Scotland but for as long as you’ll swing, you’ll never play another course like Shiskine.

A big thanks to Ru for sharing these. You can read the rest of the Favourite Courses series here.