Links Golf in Scotland

[phan52]

I have been to Ireland five times and love everything about it, not just the golf. It really feels comfortable to this old Mick. But I just went to Scotland for the first time, and it will not be my last. I was unprepared for the Scottish Highlands, some of the more striking landscape I have ever seen. Our destination on the other end of the Highlands was what I have to think is the definitive links course, Royal Dornach. It is very difficult to get there but it was worth it. Nine out, nine back and no earth moved, just put together on a narrow dune just off the North Sea. The imagination it took to do it is impressive. It is so far north that they have tee times until 6:30 PM this time of year. We played it twice, the first day in benign conditions, and the second day with strong winds, the way it is supposed to be played (according to the caddies). More difficult but it was more fun. Another course we played way up north is Nairn Golf Club, another very old linksland track, not to be missed if in the neighborhood. The wind was really blowing that day. We went down to St. Andrews and played Kingsbarns, which is near The Old Course, and it was a treat. I was shocked to find out that it was only 23 years old because it is so well designed that you would think it was there for over 100 years. The difference is that they moved a whole lot of earth and sand to build the course. As good as it is, I will take the originals, like Dornach.

We didn't play The Old Course but we snuck on for pictures on the Swilcan Bridge. It wasn't a problem, even encouraged. I do want to get back over there and play The Old Course, Carnoustie, and others on the east coast. I really enjoy links golf; it requires so much imagination. 

[Beastie]

‘The Nairn’ is one of my favourite courses in Scotland, and maybe one of the least well known. In the North East you should also consider Castle Stuart, Cruden Bay, Murcar and Royal Aberdeen. All fantastic links courses. 

There are loads of other fun links courses without the cache, or the size of the more famous names. Spey Bay, Cullen, Montrose,Stonehaven are all a good day out. 

Also should could consider the are around North Berwick which has loads of incredible links courses. Muirfield, Gullane #1, North Berwick etc.So many courses so little time.

[phan52]

15 hours ago, Beastie said:

‘The Nairn’ is one of my favourite courses in Scotland, and maybe one of the least well known. In the North East you should also consider Castle Stuart, Cruden Bay, Murcar and Royal Aberdeen. All fantastic links courses. 

There are loads of other fun links courses without the cache, or the size of the more famous names. Spey Bay, Cullen, Montrose,Stonehaven are all a good day out. 

Also should could consider the are around North Berwick which has loads of incredible links courses. Muirfield, Gullane #1, North Berwick etc.So many courses so little time.

I lobbied to get to Cruden Bay instead of playing Dornach twice, but it would have required too much travel in the short time we had. The area around Berwick is what we are considering for our next trip. It would also allow for a little longer stay in Edinburgh, particularly Old Edinburgh. We only had one evening there before we flew home and it wasn't enough. I am sorry that I discovered links golf so late in my life. Not enough time left. 

[snapfade]

For you guys that have played in Scotland, were you able to walk up and play or do all courses require advanced tee time reservations? We are considering adding a Scotland leg to our Portugal trip but it might be a spur of the moment flex in itinerary depending on what everyone wants to do. Wife's family wants to come from Germany and Spain to meet up. I'm thinking of just shooting over to Scotland for a few days and playing what I can by myself, it's only 200 bucks give or take. All they are going to do is lay around and eat seafood and drink wine all day. Is a spur of the moment thing doable or do I need to book in advance?  

[phan52]

We had tee times in advance, but we played some high-volume, popular courses. But there is a good links course around every corner, particularly in the Lothian area east of Edinburgh and also near St. Andrews. 

[jsgolfer]

@DaveP043 and I just got back from a Scotland Golf Trip on Saturday. And I will say, it was even better than I thought it would be.  We had great weather and the courses were spectacular. We booked through an agency, as we had 12 golfers and needed 3 tee times at all of the courses, and we weren't disappointed with any of the trip, other than the price.  

I can't wait to go back, and try the courses North of St. Andrews, having now played the Old Course, with a birdie on the Road Hole. 

If I picked a favorite course, it was really hard, but Turnberry was amazing.  Muirfield would probably be a close second. The postage stamp at Royal Troon, though was one of my favorite holes. 

 

[guitarget]

The Postage Stamp sure doesn't look like much.....but I don't think I've seen any player in an Open who wasn't thrilled just to get on the putting surface.

[jsgolfer]

4 hours ago, guitarget said:

The Postage Stamp sure doesn't look like much.....but I don't think I've seen any player in an Open who wasn't thrilled just to get on the putting surface.

Out of the 12, only @DaveP043 actually found the putting surface.

[DaveP043]

On 8/4/2023 at 10:24 PM, jsgolfer said:

Out of the 12, only @DaveP043 actually found the putting surface.

One of the few memorable shots from Troon, a gentle flighted 8-iron into a nice breeze to maybe 12 or 15 feet.

[klineka]

On 8/4/2023 at 10:24 PM, jsgolfer said:

Out of the 12, only @DaveP043 actually found the putting surface.

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

One of the few memorable shots from Troon, a gentle flighted 8-iron into a nice breeze to maybe 12 or 15 feet.

How far is it usually/how far does it usually play?

Is it a combination of the wind and the slope on the green that make it difficult? It doesn't look overly long from the pictures

 

[DaveP043]

10 minutes ago, klineka said:

How far is it usually/how far does it usually play?

Is it a combination of the wind and the slope on the green that make it difficult? It doesn't look overly long from the pictures

 

I think it played something like 125 yards, slightly downhill.  I normally hit a full 8 a little over 140.  But a pretty small green, maybe 13 yards at the widest (based on Google Earth), and a little under 10 yards in the back section.  What you don't see in @jsgolfer's photo is the really steep drop-off and deep bunker to the right, which is definitely in play from the tee, or on your second shot if you miss left.  

[jsgolfer]

18 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I think it played something like 125 yards, slightly downhill.  I normally hit a full 8 a little over 140.  But a pretty small green, maybe 13 yards at the widest (based on Google Earth), and a little under 10 yards in the back section.  What you don't see in @jsgolfer's photo is the really steep drop-off and deep bunker to the right, which is definitely in play from the tee, or on your second shot if you miss left.  

Yeah, my picture definitely doesn't show how sloped it is to the bunker.  I hit the green just on the right-side and my ball rolled into the bunker.  One of our other players in my group did the same. And then his shot out of the bunker, spun back just enough and caught the slope and rolled around the bunker on the right-side and came back into the bunker right next to where he was standing.  I believe by the time he was done, he had a smooth 7.  I got it out to the middle of the green and made 4.