Royal Dornoch Golf Club *****

Golf Road, Dornoch, IV25 3LW

Nearest main town: Dornoch

 

If you're travelling north towards the Highlands to play Royal Dornoch, chances are you're also going to take in a great quartet of courses, including Tain, Golspie and Brora. A word of advice - make sure to leave Dornoch until last and leave on a high note.

This is one of the finest golfing outposts in Britain. Unburdened by the weight of holding an Open Championship (although it surely could) and handed an air of mystique by its isolation, Royal Dornoch is an exceptional course for visitors. The whole place is shrouded in peace and tranquillity, and only serious golfers with an appreciation of the history and elegance of the game head out this way, so you can be sure of a respectful and warm welcome.

The course itself is something of a conundrum. It's a straight­forward, fair links, with few blind shots and all the trouble laid out clearly before you. But the classic links shot, the bump-and-run, can feel slightly redundant; the greens are too well protected to allow you a straight line in, and they are often set on small plateaus. This is not a criticism, just the character of the course. You'll also find dramatic tee shots from elevated tees falling into basin fairways, gorse-covered dunes, and hills and greens nestled in the shadow of hills.

It is a timeless design, touched by the hands of Donald Ross and Tom Morris. (Ross emigrated to North America in 1898 and went on to become one of the greatest course designers of all time - trademark Dornoch traits can be found on most of Ross's courses throughout the world.) Highlights include the 5th, an exciting driving hole, and the 14th, called 'Foxy', appropriately so, including, as it does, an inventive double dogleg.

 

Secretary: Mr J. Duncan

Tel: 01862 810219 Fax: 01862 810792

Professional: Mr A. Skinner

Tel: 01862 810902 Fax: 01862 810902

Playing: Midweek: round £66.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £76.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 am-10pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: So many cherished memories...Finest links anywhere ... Golf as it should be ... Magical Northern gem...Course and facilities excellent... Good test of golf and good facilities. .. Only drawback is remoteness, but still worth the journey... It's not a frightening course but it can put egg on your face quite easily. .. Very hard but fair course. . . Just about worth the price of the trip. . . A magical, classical links of charm and beauty... Donald Ross country... Miles from anywhere, a haven of tranquillity ... The best experience in 40 years of golf... A real tear jerker.

 

Boat of Garten Golf Club ****

Boat of Garten, PH24 3BQ

Nearest main town: Inverness

 

Secretary: Mr P. Smyth

Tel: 01479 831282 Fax: 01479 831523

Professional: Mr J. Ingram (Shop Manager)                

Tel: 01479 831282 Fax: 01479 831523

Playing: Midweek: round £29.00; day £34.00. Weekend: round £34.00; day £39.00.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9.30am-8pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Good food, not to be missed. .. Magnificent surroundings ... How golf should be played... Maybe overrated... An unfair course in the summer when the ball bounces everywhere... Great location - I want to die here... They get everything right here... Superb scenery, absolutely compelling golf... A little too hilly in places to be considered a great... Had a great day.