Balmore Golf Club

Balmore sits just outside Glasgow, a proper links-style course that doesn't take itself too seriously despite having the credentials to do so. The layout winds through open moorland with views that stretch across the Lowlands - nothing fancy, just good golf in a decent setting.

You'll need to be a member or arrange a guest round through the club, and green fees sit at the standard rate for Scottish courses in this region. Allow a full morning or afternoon - eighteen holes takes the usual four hours, though the course moves at a decent pace. The course works best for golfers with a handicap; it's not particularly beginner-friendly, but mid-level players will find enough challenge without it turning into a slog.

What makes Balmore work is its straightforward approach. The greens are honest, the rough is punishing in the right way, and there's minimal faffing about with overly designed par threes. If you're staying at The WHW Hotel & Campsite nearby, it's an easy drive over and worth ringing ahead to book a guest slot.

It's not a bucket-list course, but it's the sort of place you'd recommend to a mate planning a Scottish golfing trip. Better than many paid-rounds you'll find closer to Edinburgh, and the local knowledge from the club members is genuinely helpful. Avoid Saturdays unless you've got an early slot - the member traffic gets heavy.