Bruntsfield Links

One of the biggest strikes against golf is that it's expensive, right? We've been conditioned to associate luxury with quality when it comes to the places we play. The idea of playing Pebble Beach arguably seems *more* special because we know it costs $500+.

Bruntsfield Links Short Hole Golf Club is the antidote. It's a 36-hole pitch-and-putt on land that has been used for golf since the 15th century. Its firm, bouncy turf and austere conditioning makes it both authentic and enjoyable. Oh, and it's free to play.

You only need a wedge (I selected my 52) and a putter here to have one of the best golf experiences in the world. Surrounded by center-city Edinburgh, you lob and bump shots on holes from 45 to 90 yards onto shaggy but puttable greens. On every hole, you need to use the natural rumpled contours to get your ball close to the hole. It is the same sort of cerebral test that the best "big" courses offer, but in miniature. When you're done, you can have a pint in The Golf Tavern, which started in 1472.

People talk about The Old Course at St. Andrews as the granddaddy Scottish golf experience (and for good reason), but for sheer authenticity and accessibility (remember - it is 100% free to play golf here), Bruntsfield might eclipse it.

If you come to Scotland and use Edinburgh's airport but neglect to come here, you have failed to have the best possible trip.