Golfers headed for Britain typically want to play on the fabled courses of Scotland, birthplace of golf many centuries ago, but they may be surprised to discover there is a wide variety of excellent and challenging courses elsewhere in Scotland, as well as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

According to \"Golf in Britain,\" a free map guide available from VisitBritain, these gems range from rugged, windblown seaside links and lush parkland to challenging heath land and contemporary US-style layouts, something for all golfers no matter what their handicap or their preferred type of terrain.

The guide identifies nearly 150 courses, together with course information, booking details and web sites. Many are close to towns and cities and greens fees are generally modest (during long summer evenings, some courses, especially in Scotland, offer discounted \"twilight fees\"). At most of them it is possible to hire equipment, including clubs, carts and caddies, and some require an official handicap certificate or letter of introduction from golfers\' home clubs.

It highlights four courses which regularly host international events and on which everyday golfers can follow the footsteps, not to mention the divots, of world-class players: the De Vere Belfry, in the English Midlands, site of many Ryder Cup matches; the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, renowned as the home of golf; Royal Portrush, on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland; and Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales, venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup competition.

Not surprisingly, Scotland has more than 540 courses, from British Open venues such as St. Andrews, Turnberry and Carnoustie to lesser-known parkland courses, each offering their own special challenges. Many areas offer regional golf passes, allowing visiting golfers to play on several courses for a nominal fee.

This year is a special one at St. Andrews, where the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which together with the United States Golf Association, is the world body for the game, celebrates its 250th anniversary with the re-opening of the British Golf Museum, adjacent to the R & A clubhouse, following a major refurbishment and expansion. The British Open championship is to be played at Royal Troon, on the Ayrshire coast in south-west Scotland (July 11 - 18).

England\'s courses vary from such seaside British Open venues as Royal Lytham & St. Annes and Royal Birkdale, in the north-west to notable parkland courses, among them Wentworth and Walton Heath in the south-east. For stunning coastal scenery, golfers might want to tee off in Cornwall, in the south-west, or in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle, on the Northumberland coast.

There are few more scenically spectacular courses than those to be found in Wales, which strangely remains relatively undiscovered by American golfers. Royal Porthcawl, on the south coast, is considered one of the most challenging in Britain; Pennard is perched high on cliffs above Swansea Bay; and Royal St. David\'s is overlooked by the ruins of Harlech Castle.

Northern Ireland, with nearly 100 courses, has a choice of parkland, meadowland and coastal links, many of them against a backdrop of dramatic scenery. Among them are Royal Portrush, the Strand course at Portstewart, and Royal County Down, one of the most attractive settings in the British Isles.

The guide points out that there is a wide choice of accommodation options either at or close to most courses, including golf resorts, typically set in acres of parkland and beautiful gardens, homey farmhouse bed-and-breakfasts, country house hotels and luxury hotels with spas and fitness centers.

\"Golf in Britain\" is available free from VisitBritain\'s Travel Center, Suite 701, 551 Fifth Avenue (at 45th Street), in New York City, Mondays through Fridays between 9.00am and 6.00pm. VisitBritain\'s Travel Center can also be reached via email at: travelinfo@visitbritain.org or telephone on Toll Free: 877 899 8391. Online: www.visitbritain.com.