The Royals & The Home of Golf
Whatever your views are on the Royal family, there is no denying their connection and influence over the game of golf. From the first record of commissioned golf clubs by King James IV of Scotland in the 1500s to the appointment of Prince Andrew in 2003 as the captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrew’s . Over the last 5 centuries they have played and shaped the game we know and love today.
There are 64 golf clubs around the world with the bona fide right to a ‘Royal’ title, bestowed by a member of the British Royal family. Scotland is the home of golf and to 11 Royal golf clubs, as well as numerous courses with their own unique connections to the monarchy. Here are our top picks:
Royal Burgess, Edinburgh
Royal Burgess is widely regarded as the oldest golfing society in the world. The legendary Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Junior both had a hand in creating the existing parkland course situated in Barnton. Burgess is ideally located just 5 miles west of Edinburgh’s city centre and close to the airport.
The Golf House Club Elie, Fife
Elie Golf Club does not have Royal in its title but since 1589 there has been a Royal charter permitting villagers to use the land for golf. Elie Golf Club also has a rather unusual feature installed in the starters’ hut - a periscope from the Royal Navy submarine HMS Excalibur. Golfers can have a sneak peek at the course and see other players in action. This coastal links course is located in the East Neuk of Fife, only 10 miles from St Andrews and is traditional links. 5 time open champion and renowned golf course designer James Braid famously said that Elie’s 13th hole is the best hole in golf.
Royal Troon Golf Club, Ayrshire
Royal Troon is one of only two Open Championship venue in Scotland with a Royal title. The club was granted this designation by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978 for its centenary. Troon is one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the world and even its signature hole has connotations of the Queen - the postage stamp (8th hole). This is traditional links golf at its best.
Gleneagles, Perthshire
Gleneagles is not a Royal club but rather drew inspiration from the monarchy, naming their courses the Kings and Queens both designed by James Braid in 1919 during the golden age of golf course design. They are beautiful and challenging inland courses set in the attractive Perthshire countryside. The 18th hole of the Queen’s is whimsically named the Queen’s Hame.
Duff House Royal Golf Club, Aberdeenshire
Duff House Royal Golf Club is one of the lesser known clubs on this list but is still one of Scotland’s Top 100 Courses. The club was founded in 1909 and granted Royal patronage by Princess Louise, Dowager Duchess of Fife, in 1925. Duff House is an Alister MacKenzie designed parkland course, which is almost Augusta-esque in its presentation. Golfers will see the 18th Century historic Duff House on their way round the course and will also catch glimpses of the Moray Firth.
You do not need to be royalty to play any of the courses mentioned and one of the great things about Scottish golf is that almost every course is available for visitors to enjoy. Green fees in peak season range from as little as £70 at Duff House, £100 at Royal Burgess or £120 at Elie up to the more premium Open and Championship level courses of Royal Troon and Gleneagles. You don’t have to be posh to play!
