It may have excellent transport links, it may offer a wide range of good quality housing, it may boast highly regarded schools and other local amenities or be close to a well-known landmark or beauty spot. But there's another factor which has long added a premium to residential property values: proximity to a top golf course. The golfing spotlight will not just fall upon Ayrshire this week and the Royal Troon Golf Course, but on properties close to Scotland's other 550 courses, too.  

Dating back to the 15th century, The Old Course in St Andrews, Fife, is Scotland's oldest and most iconic golf course. It's also the only top-class course in the country where private homes are situated on the edge of the green. The demand for these properties is high, particularly among high net worth golf-lovers from Europe, North America and Asia and, not surprisingly, they carry a hefty premium.  

The premiums in other golfing locations are significantly above nearby towns and the Scottish average. American buyers particularly appreciate the history attached to courses like Muirfield in Gullane, and homes in this area, which has three world-class championship links courses, generate premiums above the average for the wider East Lothian region, and well above the average Scottish house price.  

For homes above par, we’ve selected 10 of the best currently on the market close to three of Scotland’s most famous courses.