DESTINATION GOLF 2022 SCOTLAND 2022
Reay
Moray Old
Expect a crowd as you approach the 18th green at Lossiemouth , for this is one of the best finishing holes in Scotland , and the town ’ s main street runs right alongside . It is a fun way to finish on a course that heartily embraces the tradition of Scottish links , next to the beach and the Moray Firth . It was designed by Old Tom Morris , over low-running links land . Subtle but constant undulations abound and the routing flips direction constantly , which means the wind threatens from every angle ... no easy thing given the narrow gorselined fairways . The greens here are small , fast and flat – although 16 and 17 will come as a surprise – and the course is exceedingly well bunkered .
Durness
The other northern coast links is a nine hole beauty outside Durness . This may be the remotest of Scotland ’ s mainland courses but it is an exhilarating adventure to get here … and one that continues on the course . The scenery is spell-binding and hitting shots at distant mountain ranges , towering dunes or beautiful bays takes Durness to a different level . But this links has so much more . The condition is magnificent , there are 18 different tees and holes constantly keep you guessing . The shapes of the land add hugely to that as you head up and over a rollercoaster landscape that presents greens in almost unbelievable locations . You finish with a tee shot over low cliff tops and sea to a par three green that seems almost impossible to hit . Reload ? It would be rude not too . A perfect approach to fun , welcoming golf .
Reay
“ The scenery is spell-binding and hitting shots at distant mountain ranges , towering dunes or beautiful bays takes Durness to a different level .”
Along the Scottish mainland ’ s northern-most coast you will find two very different and entertaining links . Reay , west of Thurso , was founded in 1893 and redesigned by James Braid , in 1933 . This exposed links plays over a tilting landscape that flips back and forth on the opening holes and more severely on the closing holes . The back nine definitely boast a climb or two and some blind shots are tossed in for good measure . Given its location so far north , this is about the fun of links golf combined with some wonderful holes and entertaining greens . This is nature ’ s links . It may only be a par 69 of 5,800 yards but it starts with a 235 yard par three and finishes with one . Index 1 is another par three of 196 yards to a plateau green . Anything short will perish . The sweeping par five 6th beside the sea is named Braid ’ s Choice .
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