Scotland, let it be known, also has a far more organized and modern road system—but the truth is, you don¹t need to do much driving, and that's reason number two. If you want, you can stay in one place your entire visit, play a different course each day for a week or so, never drive more than half an hour and never play a less than top-quality course.

In the Ayr region, in addition to Troon and Turnberry, there's Old Prestwick (site of the first 12 Opens), Prestwick St. Nicholas, Western Gailes, Barassie and the refurbished Kintyre Course at Turnberry, not to mention the private Dundonald (if you can get on).

Near Muirfield there's Gullane Nos. 1 and 2, North Berwick, Luffness, Longniddry and Dunbar (all links courses, all British Open qualifying sites). In the Highlands it's a bit more spread out, but you can easily make a week out of the courses at Dornoch, Skibo, Nairn, Brora and Tain, plus Neil Hobday's just-renovated course and club at Spey Bay.

But make no mistake, the ultimate one-stop mecca is St. Andrews—and now more than ever. Why go anywhere else when there are four superb links courses (Old, New, Jubilee, Eden) within walking distance of town; four more beauties (Kingsbarns, the Duke's, the Devlin and Torrance at the Fairmont St. Andrews Bay) within a 15-minute drive; four links charmers in the fishing villages of Crail, Lundin, Elie and Leven (all less than a half-hour away); and four parkland beauties (three at Gleneagles, one at Blairgowrie) within an hour's drive. And lest we forget, Carnoustie is just 45 minutes away. That's 17 courses—with an 18th, St. Andrews' Castle, on the way.
 
Ultimately, Ireland never had a chance for the simple reason that Scotland's head start was insurmountable. It is the place where golf was born, the place that has given us Old Tom Morris, the featherie, the Road Hole, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, and 88 British Open Championships. My heart is where my home is‹lay me down in the cradle of golf.

But I will confess: Now and then, there's nothing like an Irish fling.