DESTINATION GOLF 2022 SCOTLAND 2022
Royal Dornoch
Nairn
Nairn , like Castle Stuart , sits on the Moray Firth , but it could not be more different in its design or evolution . This is classic links where golf has been played since the 19th century . The land is low and rippling , and the golf is about subtlety and dealing with the challenges of the wind … and the sea : several of the opening holes hug the beach . Designed by Old Tom Morris , Archie Simpson and James Braid , amongst others , Nairn has evolved into a revered links with glorious greens well protected by pothole bunkers and natural hazards . Some are elevated , others sit in natural pockets but they all call for guile . Nairn , in a nutshell , requires intelligent navigation : narrow fairways are often flanked by gorse and heather and there ’ s also a burn cutting across the course . The sea views from every hole are inspiring .
Castle Stuart
When Castle Stuart opened in 2009 , it did so to worldwide acclaim . The Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen design was seen as dramatic and exciting , with the links routed over two distinct tiers . Wide rolling fairways , infinity greens , and wild , rugged bunkering give it an almost mystical feel which has given links design a new lease of life . This is as exciting as it gets and you can see it all from the spectacular clubhouse , high above the sea . Despite those wide fairways , accuracy off the tee is needed to open up the big , undulating greens . It all looks beautiful and it is playable for golfers of all abilities – those fairways always tempting you from the tee . The opening holes on each nine are low and by the sea , setting a bewitching rhythm that loops around and brings you back to the clubhouse on the higher terrain .
Royal Dornoch ( Struie )
The second course at Royal Dornoch , named Struie after the local estuary , is an interesting mix of different holes which have been forged together over the years . The surfaces are pristine but holes definitely shift in style and pace . The newest holes ( 1990s ) – mid-round – are out near the firth and show how beautifully the low duneland can be used to create exciting holes . The holes here thrive on the natural contours and while the routing is a tad unusual – thanks to an interesting evolution – the quality is consistent and the greens glorious . The two opening and closing holes occupy higher ground before the course stretches out over that more level terrain where deceptive twists and turns are almost invisible to the eye . The par threes are strong and the last of these – the 18th – has broken many hearts .
Royal Dornoch
As one of the world ’ s greatest and oldest golf courses , Royal Dornoch never fails to enthral . Its location in the Highlands is stunning but the course is even better . Here you will find the soul of Old Tom Morris flowing through the greens which are some of the best you will ever play on . They frequently sit up on large plateaus which make them delicious targets … even if that frustrates the bump and run approach . The golf course often feels like you have stepped into a painting , so perfect do the holes look from the tee box . It is laid out in a crescent around Dornoch Bay , with the course ’ s three tiers slipping down to the beach giving it an undeniable majesty .
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