The pros’ favourite holes in Scottish golf

Colin Montgomerie 

Eight-time European No.1 and 2010 Ryder Cup captain

“For me, the best hole in Scottish golf is the eighth at Royal Troon. The ‘Postage Stamp’, as it’s known, is one of my favourite holes in Scotland because it proves that a par-3 doesn’t have to be long to be difficult. There really is no simple way to play it. You have to find the green from the tee or you face a tricky bunker shot from both sides to a raised green. It is a classic links hole. I always enjoy tough finishing holes, too, and the par-4 18th hole at Loch Lomond certainly fits that bill. Set amongst the historic Rossdhu Castle ruins, the hole is very pleasing from a visual stand-point and tests both your driving accuracy and precision with your long irons, as you try to avoid the water down the left from the tee and hit into a green that can have some difficult pin placements.”

Paul Lawrie

1999 Open champion and two-time Ryder Cup player (1999, 2012)

“There are a lot of excellent holes in Scottish golf but the one that really stands out for me is the 12th at Hopeman. It’s called ‘The Prieshach’ and is probably my favourite par-3. I played a lot of golf there when I was young – my parents actually had a caravan nearby – and I got to know it pretty well. It’s only 150 yards long but drops around 100 feet from tee to green, with gorse, bunkers and heather all there to gobble up any mishit. The views across the Moray Firth from up on the tee, meanwhile, are just out of this world. It’s a stunning little hole!”

Scott Jamieson

European Tour professional

“The 5th at Loch Lomond is probably my favourite hole in Scotland. It’s great in its own right but, when you add in the mountains, the loch, and a bit of sunshine, there’s just nowhere else like it. There’s a big run-off on the right hand side of the green, which also slopes a bit from left to right, so I’d always suggest that the best way to play it is to aim for the fat side of the green and try and hole your putt.”