BEST COURSES IN SCOTLAND

I just got back from Scotland and a few courses I would recommend (outside of the St Andrews Links courses) are North Berwick, Gullane 1, Kilspindie, Dumbarnie, Elie House, Lundin Links and Carnoustie.

My favorite is Royal Dornoch. Top 5 ranked course in the world. Stay in Inverness and play rounds up in the Scottish Highlands and you won't be disappointed. Plenty of good golf up there including Brora and Nairn.

I got to go to the TT event at st Andrews last year. We played two of the courses there which were both fun. My favorite of the trip though was kingsbarns (pretty epic) and dunbarnie links (even in awful weather). Have fun!

Any Links Course is worth playing as they are very precious. There are only "links-like" and faux links in the USA. Very few links in the world ...

I rate courses for a noted magazine. I've played over 50 links in Scotland with zero regrets,
Prestwick, Brora, NBWL and Cruden Bay - ignore that you cannot hit driver 290 "center cut".
Professional Men's golf has become an aberration that is ruining our perception of golf courses.
Keep only a hybrid or 2/3iron as your longest club if you are a smash and gouge player and play real strategic golf.

I must disagree with your statement about no “links” courses in the USA. The term “Links” refers to courses where the land links with the sea. That technically makes any course on the Atlantic or Pacific a Links course. No greater example than the courses at Bandon. I have played many in the USA, Scotland and Ireland too including the most famous Scottish links course (Old Course at St. Andrew’s) and no holes there are actually on the ocean. Glad to hear you have enjoyed your traveling golf. Best wishes for many more rounds in the future.