The question of who invented the game of golf is one of the sport's most hotly debated topics. England , Holland , Russia and more recently even China all lay claims to the origins of golf. But while many countries can justifiably claim to have ‘invented' hitting a ball with a stick, there is little doubt that Scotland in the UK is the home of the modern game of golf. And the UK is fast becoming the hot destination for China 's golfing elite.

At the China International Travel Mart, in November, the Scotland stand was one of the most popular amongst Chinese VIPs mostly enquiring about golfing holidays. Visit Scotland 's Ewan Colville says, “The UK and particularly Scotland ,is a popular destination for golf lovers because it has so many historic and famous golf courses. There's a certain amount of prestige and satisfaction that you get from playing on a course that you have seen the world's greatest players compete on. And playing Scotland 's Championship courses such as St Andrews or Turnberry can provide the ultimate golfing experience."
 

Golf in China has grown in popularity since China 's last emperor PuYi took lessons from his English tutor in the 1920s. Earning itself the nick-name “green opium” it has become an addiction for many wealthy Chinese. Although still a sport for the rich, golf is no longer confined to China 's super rich. These days it's not prestigious enough for China 's wealthiest golfers to simply be a member of an exclusive golf club such as Shanghai 's Tomson Club or Beijing 's Pine Valley . China 's most affluent are now looking for new golfing challenges and experiences overseas. There is a growing trend to follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods and Zhang Lian-Wei by playing on the some of the world's best and most famous courses.

But playing on these courses comes at a high price and is an extravagance that currently only China 's elite can afford. Tim Rammage, General Manager of British Airways which has recently started to offer luxury golfing packages to the UK , explains, “In order to guarantee playing time on many of the UK 's Championship courses you need to book at least one year in advance and pay a deposit of 4,000-5,000 British pounds (55,000-70,000RMB)”.

So for those who can afford it, where are the UKs best courses? Zhang You Cai, President and CEO of Sheshan Golf which recently hosted the HSBC Champions Cup in China with Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, has visited all of the UK's leading golf courses. For him Scotland 's St Andrews stands out. “ St. Andrews is really in a class of its own, its history and culture are exceptional.”

Generally regarded as the 'Home of Golf', St. Andrews is second to none as a golfing mecca. The game has been played here since at least 1457 when it was popular enough for King James II to ban it on the grounds that it interfered with archery practice. Every golfer's dream is to play St. Andrew's Old Course, the oldest golf course in the world – and arguably the most famous. While the Scottish Links courses are considered challenging, mainly due to the proximity to the coast and the unpredictability of the weather and winds, the Old Course with its notorious 10 foot tall Hell bunker on the 14h hole that is the most challenging. In fact Val Eglinton, a spokesperson for St Andrews Golf Resort and Spa, advises, “We suggest visitors should also play on one of the other Links courses such as Dukes to restore their confidence in their game!”.

The popularity of the Old Course means that there are more golfers wanting to play the course than tee-time available and it can be difficult to secure playing time. But for those with the finances she advises opting for the Old Course Experience, one of the few companies that can guarantee tee-time on the old course.

Another popular Scottish golfing destination is Gleneagles. With three 18-hole championship golf courses, Dorothy Welsh, director of sales and marketing for Gleneagles says that it is a natural choice for Chinese golfing enthusiasts. “Gleneagles has the famous Kings and Queens courses built in 1919, while the PGA course designed by Jack Nicholas offers a more modern experience. Nicholas even stated the Gleneagles offered him the finest parcel of land he ever had to work with”. The courses are built on sand and gravel, leaving long ridges, flat-topped mounds and enclosed hollows. The result is an idyllic golfing landscape where many of the fairways and greens, particularly on the King's course are isolated from neighbouring holes by the gravel ridges, so giving golfers the luxury of feeling they are playing on their own private course.  Since it opened in 1924 Gleneagles has been known as a rural playground for the wealthy, with its golf and grouse shooting the preferred choice of the British upper classes. Like St. Andrew's Old Course Hotel, the Gleneagles hotel is also renowned internationally for its excellent service levels and has received numerous awards from the international travel industry.

For those wanting an excellent golfing experience nearer to London , Sheshan's Zhang recommends Wentworth golf club. “Although the course is only 80 years old and has less history then St. Andrews it has a great design and atmosphere” says. T he narrow, tree lined, undulating fairways and well bunkered greens of Wentworth's West Course make it one of the most challenging courses in England. The West Course has been the home of the World Matchplay Tournament since 1964. The East Course, though not as long as the West, is a very challenging and interesting heathland course featuring tight tree-lined fairways and well bunkered receptive greens.