The Rugged Highlands
The Scottish Highlands have seen a recent rise in stock with coverage of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Links and Nairn Golf Club preparing to host the 2012 Curtis Cup. This area of Scotland is often overlooked because of it's location but for those who are willing to make the journey to the Highlands some of the best golf in Scotland, luxury accommodation and warm Scottish hospitality awaits.
Castle Stuart
The brainchild of Mark Parsinen and designed with Gil Hanse, Castle Stuart Golf Links was created with the aim of attracting golfers from around the world to the Scottish highlands for a truly spectacular links experience. One of the most exciting projects in recent UK golf Castle Stuart course has moved from strength to strength since opening in 2009 and was ranked 56th in the world by Golf Magazine. The first Highland course to host a European Tour event this is an outstanding contemporary links on the Moray Firth offers striking views synonymous with the Black Isle.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Formed over a century ago, nestled in a historic town, designed by Old Tom Morris and the inspiration for Donald Ross' architecture the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch is more than a great links course but a golf pilgrimage of sorts. Famed golf course architect Donald Ross is Dornoch's native son and the trademark raised greens of the links at Royal Dornoch are a key feature of Ross' famous American designs, including Pinehurst No. 2.
Tom Watson described playing Royal Dornoch as "the most fun I've ever had on a golf course". This traditional links, outward and inward in nines, is a very straightforward courses with all challenges plainly in sight for the golfer but that doesn't make it any easier.
Formed over a century ago, nestled in a historic town, designed by Old Tom Morris and the inspiration for Donald Ross' architecture the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch is more than a great links course but a golf pilgrimage of sorts. Famed golf course architect Donald Ross is Dornoch's native son and the trademark raised greens of the links at Royal Dornoch are a key feature of Ross' famous American designs, including Pinehurst No. 2.
Tom Watson described playing Royal Dornoch as "the most fun I've ever had on a golf course". This traditional links, outward and inward in nines, is a very straightforward courses with all challenges plainly in sight for the golfer but that doesn't make it any easier.
Nairn Golf Club
Nairn is a classic, traditional out-and-back links designed by James Braid and has hosted a Walker Cup and an upcoming Curtis Cup. The course was 9th in the definitive list of the Top 100 Courses in Scotland 2011, with panel members including Bernard Gallacher, Sandy Lyle, Andrew Coltart, Ewen Murray and Andrew Cotter that is an accolade any course can bare with pride.
"The opening half a dozen holes along the coast rival anything at more illustrious Scottish courses" said Jock Howard, commissioning editor at Golf World. "The putting surfaces are in immaculate condition and the variety of the examination never gets boring. I can't think of anywhere I would rather be on a sleepy summer afternoon."
Nairn is a classic, traditional out-and-back links designed by James Braid and has hosted a Walker Cup and an upcoming Curtis Cup. The course was 9th in the definitive list of the Top 100 Courses in Scotland 2011, with panel members including Bernard Gallacher, Sandy Lyle, Andrew Coltart, Ewen Murray and Andrew Cotter that is an accolade any course can bare with pride.
"The opening half a dozen holes along the coast rival anything at more illustrious Scottish courses" said Jock Howard, commissioning editor at Golf World. "The putting surfaces are in immaculate condition and the variety of the examination never gets boring. I can't think of anywhere I would rather be on a sleepy summer afternoon."
