As golf fans around the world turn their eyes to Augusta National for The Masters, there’s no better time to reflect on the genius of Dr Alister MacKenzie, the visionary behind some of the most revered golf courses in the world. Known for his naturalistic approach to course design, strategic brilliance, and artistic flair, MacKenzie left his mark on numerous courses around the globe. While his work at Augusta is rightly celebrated, it’s worth remembering that his influence can also be found much closer to home, in the rugged, storied landscapes of Scotland.
Scotland, the home of golf, inspired and shaped MacKenzie’s philosophies. In turn, he helped shape the game here too. This Masters week, let’s take a journey to five Scottish golf courses touched by the hand of MacKenzie: Blairgowrie Golf Club, Hazlehead’s Mackenzie Championship Course, Duff House Royal, the Portland Course at Royal Troon, and Bruntsfield Links. Each offers a unique glimpse into his design legacy, and a compelling reason to tee it up in Scotland this season.
Blairgowrie Golf Club – The Rosemount Course
Nestled in the heart of Perthshire, Blairgowrie Golf Club is home to the Rosemount Course, one of the most beautiful inland layouts in Scotland and a shining example of MacKenzie’s talent. He collaborated with James Braid to design the original Rosemount course in the 1920s, and his fingerprints are unmistakable.
Here, MacKenzie created a layout that blends seamlessly into the natural terrain, with subtle undulations, tree-lined fairways, and green complexes that demand imagination and precision. Rosemount isn’t about brute force, it’s about strategy, angles, and feel. The bunkering is classic MacKenzie: artfully placed to influence shot choices rather than simply punish poor execution.
The Rosemount has hosted numerous top events, including the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup and the Scottish Amateur Championship. Yet it remains welcoming, playable, and peaceful, the kind of course you could play every day and never tire of. It’s a true inland gem and a testament to MacKenzie’s belief that a course should challenge the best players while still being enjoyable for the average golfer.