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Many foreign tourists especially Americans visit Scotland to experience Scottish golf... the home of GOLF. Without doubt the Old Course at St Andrews in the east is considered the most famous golf course in Scotland .  However for those who want to visit a number of the west coast courses , The County of Ayrshire has a number of golf courses within easy reach of a base in TROON which itself has a good selection of golf courses the most famous being the Open championship course at Royal Troon, many more are available within a 10 mile radius

Some of the best loved Golf Courses in Scotland are listed below

• Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire Rossdhu House,   G83 8NT  Tel: 01436 655555

• Former Open champion Tom Weiskopf admitted he was "blown away" after his first glimpse of the Bonnie Banks scene where he was getting the chance to design this course. . Many others will have shared that sentiment after playing Loch Lomond or walking it while attending the Barclays Scottish Open which has been staged here since 1996. The condition of the course is always perfect and the setting is spectacular with rolling hills on one side and lapping waters of the loch on the other.

• Turnberry Ailsa, Ayrshire Turnberry Resort, KA269L        Tel: 01655 334032
• Turnberry is recognised as one of the world's finest golf resorts. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream make for special conditions on the famous Ailsa links. The Ailsa staged its first Open in 1977 and many still believe that year was the greatest Open of all time as Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head to head in their famous Duel in the Sun. Colin Montgomerie has lavished praise on the Ailsa course by insisting it is "the finest links in the world" and few would disagree. There are too many good holes to mention on this championship links which will host The Open next year although four to 11 are as stunning and difficult as you'll find anywhere.

Kingsbarns, Fife KY16 8QD  Tel:  01334 460860

Kingsbarn opened in 2000 and has developed into a top-class championship links with a stunning seaside setting. Certain sections of the Mark Parsinen/Kyle Phillips design run along the seashore then up into an old cliff, creating an unusual but hugely effective amphitheatre effect. You can see the sea from every hole with the magnificent 12th an exquisite example of Kingsbarns' magnetic effect. It is all of 606 yards from the championship tee with the lapping waters of the sea on the left-hand side and high, rough-filled dunes to the right. Without doubt one of the best holes in championship links golf.

Gullane, East Lothian West Links Road, EH31 2BB                01620 842255

 Muirfield may be the jewel in East Lothian's golfing crown Gullane is not too far behind according to many notable figures in the game. The No.l course has hosted Open Championship qualifying on a number of occasions as well as staging countless flagship amateur tournaments. It is the epitome of links golf at its best, the difficulty factor being increased at some holes by their undulating nature. The climb alone is worth it though when you stand on the seventh tee and enjoy a panoramic view of Edinburgh, the Forth Bridges and Fife.

• Muirfield, East Lothian DuncurRoad, EH312EG                 Tel: 01620 842123

• This course is regarded by many of the game's top players as the "fairest" on the rota of venues used by the R&A to stage the Open Championship. Muirfield has a history of producing great champions including the likes of Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. The last winner of an Open at Muirfield was Ernie Eis in 2002. One of the charms of this links is it's laid out in two separate loops the front nine running clockwise on the outer and the back nine going in the opposite direction on the inner.

• Royal Troon, Ayrshire Craigend Road, KA 10 6EP               Tel 01292 311555

• It is easy to see why so many of the world's leading competitors always look forward to the return of The Open at Royal Troon - it is as stern yet honest a championship links as you will ever see. From start to finish this course, founded way back in 1878, is simply a fine test of golf. The most famous hole is the eighth or, as most people will know it, the Postage Stamp. At just 126 yards it is the shortest on any of The Open courses but there have still been many catalogues of disaster there over the years.

• Gleneagles, Perthshire Gleneagles, PH31 NF   01764 662231

• Golf in Scotland just would not be the same if it weren't for the beauty and unashamed charm of this Perthshire hideaway at Gleneagles The PGA Centenary Course, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2014, sits among some of the country's most beautiful scenery. Depending on the weather it can be a fearsome yet always exhilarating challenge. You can't help but stand on the third tee, set high up into the trees, and feel completely excited at the thought of what lies ahead. Quite simply one of the best inland courses in Scotland.

• Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire AuRon Road, AB42 ONN  Tel: 01779 812285

This is a classic Scottish links in every way - and the kind of course that makes a massive impression on first-time visitors. At just 6395 yards Cruden Bay is by no means long but, proving size doesn't always matter, has so much to offer. There are tight rolling fairways, deep bunkers and quite brilliant sloping greens to negotiate throughout. It's a place where you have to show some imagination, a thinking man's course and one where good strategic play will be rewarded. Every hole provides its own test and it's one of those venues where it's difficult not to enjoy your round.

• Camoustie, Angus 20 Unks Parade, 0077 JE                   Tel:01241 802270

• Carnoustie has now firmly established itself as the most exciting championship links in the world after another four days of unbeatable top-level golf during a dramatic Open last summer. R&A chief executive Peter Dawson believes the final hole is built for drama. He said: "If there isn't some excitement at the 18th here you're not going to get it anywhere. It's just staggeringly good." Designed by James Braid, this course is one of the true great links in the world. Play to your handicap and you will receive the coveted Carnoustie Medal which is quite an achievement.

• The Old Course, St Andrews. St Andrews Links, KY169SF      Tel: 01334 466666

• Great tradition, magnificent history, worldwide fame. The Old Course at St Andrews has it all and more. Without doubt it is the most famous course in the Home of Golf and almost always tops every visiting player's wish list. The "old lady", as she is known, starts and finishes in the town, with the houses on the right-hand side of the 18th fairway and green creating a truly unique finish. Another St Andrews trait is the number of magnificently sized double greens, not to mention some sizeable bunkers such as The Beardies, Hell and Coffins.