THINK Scottish golf and names like St Andrews, Muirfield and Carnoustie spring to mind. Glorious courses all, but so well known nowadays that the merest glimpse of their trimmed fairways requires long-term planning and a deep pocket. Thankfully, there is now an established and deeply attractive alternative north of the border - and one that requires less time in the car to get there. The Scottish Borders, about four hours from Liverpool, can now boast an impressive selection of 21 courses. And with the excellent Freedom of the Fairways package, they can be sampled at a very attractive price. Available as either three or five-day 'passports', they allow the golfer to play up to six or 10 rounds for just £65 or £90 respectively. Seniors and juniors get even better rates. New for 2004 has been the introduction of the senior pass with a three-day, three-rounds deal costing £40 and five-day, five-rounds for £52. Also, the pass can now be used at a weekend at 18 out of the 21 courses. So what about the golf? Well the parthree sixth hole at Eyemouth, the only links course in the Borders, was recently voted the most extraordinary hole in Britain. The pictures of Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and others that adorn the walls of the Roxburghe Hotel testify to some pretty illustrious past visitors. And Cardrona, the newest but quite outstanding addition, has already been coined the 'Gleneagles of the South'. I played three courses. Duns, a course formed in 1894 but only recently extended from nine to 18 holes, is the holder of the title 'Friendliest course in the Borders'. And it was easy to see why, the informal all-hands-to-the-pump nature of the clubhouse and bar-cum-pro shop immediately putting the visitor at ease. Even though the weather was miserable for the golf, there were the occasional glimpses of the spectacular views over the Cheviots that would be a delight on a clear day. A tricky and deceptively long course, it offers a stern test, particularly on the newer back nine. Plans for the future include new changing facilities and this is an excellent place to begin a Borders golf break. Borders courses make superb use of the rolling natural terrain that distinguishes the area. Lauder, a nine-holer to the north, was initially laid out by Willie Park Jnr, who was twice Open champion in the 1880s. The fact he still holds the course record, an unusually high 70, suggests that this is no pitch-and-putt. Peebles overlooks the picturesque town it takes its name from, while Selkirk winds its way up and down dale and will test any player's accuracy given the proliferation of heather and gorse. The two signature courses, requiring a modest supplement on top of the standard passport of £15-20, are The Roxburghe and Cardrona. Both were designed by the internationally renowned course architect Dave Thomas, and though both are less than 10 years old, are clearly destined for great things. To an extent they already have achieved quite a name for themselves already. The Roxburghe, set on the Duke of Roxburghe's 200-acre estate that also includes an exclusive hotel, was voted the fifth top inland course in Scotland - and Golf World magazine rated it among the top 100 in Britain. Home to the Scottish Seniors Open, it is a stiff but fair test with large greens, beautifully carved bunkers and fairways that truly reward accurate play. The view down the long 14th, towards a via-duct over the river Teviot, is one of the most stunning views you will find. The Cardrona is another Thomas creation, wending its way alongside the magnificent MacDonald Cardrona Hotel. Here the USGA-specification greens are genuinely flawless, the youth of the course - like the Roxburghe - hard to detect so skilfully have the existing woodland areas been used. The Scottish Borders is making a genuine effort to push itself as a region and so far it seems to be working - the Fair-ways scheme is Scotland's best-selling golf passport and this year's sales are considerably up on last year. At these prices - and with the quality of course on offer - it's not difficult to see why. For further details of the Freedom of the Fairways 2004 scheme, ring 0870 608 0404 or visit www.visitscottishborders.com Quick getaway FOUR nights' B&B at the Hotel du Golf Barriere in Deauville, Normandy, in France. A welcome dinner, one round of golf each at Deauville and Champ de Bataille, four-in-a-car Eurotunnel travel and personal insurances. £285pp. Six nights from £449pp. (valid for travel until June 30 2004). To book call French Golf Holidays on 01277 824100 or log onto www.frenchgolfholidays.com | 
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