[Ran Morrissett]

Most architects lust over dunescapes beside big bodies of water, where the sand component makes an ideal, inexpensive medium for shaping and drainage. Yet, when I think of courses that I regard significantly higher (Rock Creek, Cape Kidnappers, Banff, Fishers Island, The Country Club in Brookline) than most people, I discover that they have a common denominator apart from great architecture, namely a rocky ground component. Now, along comes Ardfin – well! First, I was just plain thrilled to be going to the region. After all, I 'dragged' my bride to the Isle of Harris for a honeymoon, love Askernish on South Uist, and have re-read Peter May's Hebridean trilogy. Pick your adjective to describe this part of the world: raw, unbridled, authentic, rugged, on and on. We each have a few dream spots and Ardfin quickly became one of mine.

Thinking about those six courses mentioned above (all of which I have in my world top 50), the question becomes: how can rocky ground can be conducive to great golf? We delve into that in the profile. Typically, courses not built on sand must quickly surface drain. Hence, 'high side golf’ becomes integral to the design and the golfer must feed shots off  slopes to work the ball toward a hole location. Examples at Ardfin include holes 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, and 18 and that 'aim at A to get to B'  brand of golf is hugely appealing to me. If you enjoy Redans, you probably fall into the same camp. Yet, such strategy falls apart if you don't nail the drainage and unlike some world class courses like Wade Hampton and Loch Lomond that took a while to get it right, Ardfin’s drainage (both below ground and via a network of ditches) is excellent on day one. Thank you Greg Coffey for letting Architect Bob Harrison and Sol Construction get it right at the start.


Bernard Darwin wrote, 'The prettiest courses are the best' and he was right.

I have been fortunate to see two of Bob Harrison's big three, namely Nirwana Bali and National Moonah but not Ellerston. After Nirwana Bali, I thought, he’s a lucky man to have the opportunity to lay three holes along cliffs. After Moonah, what a lucky guy to work in rolling dunes. However, if you combine the best attributes of those two properties, the end result pales compared to Ardfin. In the profile, I ask what environment would you rather find yourself? I am not sure that there is an answer (but again, I am admittedly biased). There are 70 photos (a record and for good reason) and all the pics in the profile are from my camera to Chris Buie for re-sizing, then directly into the web site. Ardfin requires no photo-shopping.

Just like architects took a few decades to figure out how to work with heavy machinery, golfers are figuring out how to use transportation to maximize happiness. Some like always being on the go and heading somewhere new. Not me - I want to get somewhere, stay awhile and unplug from the world. Solitude is the ultimate luxury. Unspoiled Jura in general and Ardfin in particular represent that in spades. Our four day stay on Jura enabled us to see both the course and the island in all their varied glories. One member of our group, a really fine player, was only able to be on the island for six hours. Sure enough, he caught the 40mph wind, scattered shower version, which is unfortunate as my pictures convey a more felicitous playing experience.

Of course, Lorne Smith’s ‘joy-to-be-alive’ metric is amplified at a place like Ardfin where you are in a fierce battle one minute with Mother Nature and the next, serenity prevails. As an example, I had a 19 degree hybrid into the 13th green in the early afternoon and a mere pitch in the evening. As is true for every course in a windy location, Ardfin is many courses wrapped into one with the playing conditions ever changing. And the important thing is that the design provides the required flexibility.

What a treat it will be to watch this course evolve. Getting there is a time commitment, so this lengthy, detailed profile is meant to help you determine if Ardfin will hold a similar magic for you as it does for me.

Here is its link:

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/scotland/ardfin-golf-course/

Best,

[Thomas Dai]

Woooooooooooooow!
Great profile.
Somewhere else to combine with Buda 2018 and Askernish!?
Location per Google satmap - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.7975582,-6.0168734,3739m/data=!3m1!1e3
atb

[Adam Lawrence]

If you can get on.


Nice profile Ran. Having seen the course in construction and been blown away by the setting but very concerned about some of the difficulties of the site (basically that it was all rock or peat) I'm so glad to read reports from the likes of you and David Davis that it all came together.

[Philip Gawith]

Thank you Ran. That really is something else! I think a trip next summer beckons. And thank you too Mr Coffey. The hedge fund industry has delivered us another fabulous golf course!


Philip

[Ally Mcintosh]

Thank you Ran. That really is something else! I think a trip next summer beckons. And thank you too Mr Coffey. The hedge fund industry has delivered us another fabulous golf course!


Philip

And the hedge fund industry will likely provide the only visitors if the prices I heard were correct.

[Niall C]

Ally


Fair point. As one of the few on GCA who hasn't had access to this course  , what are the access arrangements if any ? Is this yet another high end/expensive/exclusive course that seems to be proliferating in Scotland ?


Niall

[Adam Lawrence]

Ally


Fair point. As one of the few on GCA who hasn't had access to this course  , what are the access arrangements if any ? Is this yet another high end/expensive/exclusive course that seems to be proliferating in Scotland ?


Niall

Niall


Nothing has been made entirely clear yet. It went through planning identified as a personal course for the use of the owner and his guests only. There keep being hints about access for others -- and certainly a personal golf course does not need four sets of tees, a substantial range and a fifteen bedroom lodge -- but nothing has been entirely confirmed yet AFAIK. Ally's hint about a very high price doesn't surprise me at all, though it sounds as though he has heard something that I have not.


At one point, before the lodge came on the scene, there was a story circulating that the only people able to play would be those who rented the big main estate house. Mr Coffey is reported to be fanatical about privacy and the path between holes seven and eight goes basically straight through his garden, so my suspicion is that there will be no public access when the family is in residence. But how long will they spend there? We don't know.


The only thing we know for certain is that the owner has big ambitions for his course. From that we can deduce that he'll have to allow SOME outside play, which I guess we already knew given that I got to see it being built and Ran and David have had the opportunity to tee it up. It isn't clear yet how that will operate. But I come back to that lodge. You can't exactly staff an operation like that with casuals  who only work once every few weeks when there are guests in residence. And though Mr Coffey is super rich, it is a characteristic of the super rich that they don't like throwing money away. Which implies a regular guest presence. But this is all speculation and deduction.

[David Davis]

Ran,


It's a great review, thanks for taking the time to put pen to paper in such a lovely way over this course. Needless to say to the dojo they know I too absolutely love the place even having seen it in some rather extreme conditions in a much more premature state in a far colder period of the year.


I really do hope that more people get to experience this magical place and study some of the best modern architecture in existence.

[Marty Bonnar]

Ran,


It's a great review, thanks for taking the time to put pen to paper in such a lovely way over this course. Needless to say to the dojo they know I too absolutely love the place even having seen it in some rather extreme conditions in a much more premature state in a far colder period of the year.


I really do hope that more people get to experience this magical place and study some of the best modern architecture in existence.

David,
I wholeheartedly second that emotion. However, I fear if you look closer, you’ll see the tracks of my tears. I hope you’re right, but it doesn’t look promising.


F.

[Niall C]

Adam


Many thanks for your response. I suspect your deductions might be correct.


Niall

[Thomas Dai]

Sounds like the best opportunity t9 have a look will be via ‘right to roam’ while watching the high rollers helicoptors whirl in from Turnberry or wherever on their way to/from Dornoch, (Coul?), Castle Stuart, Royal County Down etc.
Atb

[Jonathan Mallard]

Ran,


What was your Doak Scale rating?

[Michael Moore]

Ran,


What was your Doak Scale rating?

Bro, we just got seven thousand words!

P.S. It has occurred to me that if there were no such thing as top 100 lists, courses like this might never get built.

[David Davis]

I would give it a 9 right now and honestly I think it has the chance to become a 10 as it matures just a little.

[Bill Gayne]

I would give it a 9 right now and honestly I think it has the chance to become a 10 as it matures just a little.

I haven't seen the Ardfin course  but a nine or ten would put it in well inside the top 100, at lowest top 50 worldwide. I went through the list of top 100 and I think there are eight cliff top courses in the top 100 (two Cabot courses, Cape Wickham, Kawana, Cape Kidnappers, Shanqin Bay, Pebble Beach, and Cypress). I'm comparing to other cliff top courses based on Ran's review and obviously cliff top courses can be ranked very high.


A nine or ten is extremely high company. In the opinion of those who have seen the golf course, where would Ardfin fit on this list?


Bill

[David Davis]

I would give it a 9 right now and honestly I think it has the chance to become a 10 as it matures just a little.

I haven't seen the Ardfin course  but a nine or ten would put it in well inside the top 100, at lowest top 50 worldwide. I went through the list of top 100 and I think there are eight cliff top courses in the top 100 (two Cabot courses, Cape Wickham, Kawana, Cape Kidnappers, Shanqin Bay, Pebble Beach, and Cypress). I'm comparing to other cliff top courses based on Ran's review and obviously cliff top courses can be ranked very high.


A nine or ten is extremely high company. In the opinion of those who have seen the golf course, where would Ardfin fit on this list?


Bill

Bill,


Cypress is the best in that list though I wouldn't call it a cliff top course.


I've played all the courses you listed and am personally in the camp that believes Pebble is overrated though I do enjoy playing there.


Right now I have Ardfin as the #2 course in your list.


I would rate them as follows:


Cypress
Ardfin
Pebble
Cabot Cliffs
*Shanqin Bay (though right now they have lost their 17th hole and without it they would drop to the bottom of this list.
Kawana (personally wouldn't call this one a cliff top course either, though at two points there is a cliff.
Cape Wickham
Cape Kidnappers
Cabot Links (though if this is a cliff top course then so are Bandon Dunes - Pacific Dunes)

[Adam Lowes]

Is the closest Harrison has gotten to a design without a centre line tree hazard?!


Amazing walk through, thanks.

[James Boon]

Ran,


Many thanks for this! I remember first hearing about a course on Jura some years ago and hoping that one day it would be stunner that I get to see one day. It certainly looks a stunner, as to whether I'll see it, fingers crossed and who knows?


Talking of which, its worth noting that the current Golf World / Monthly Top 100 of GB&I has omitted the unltra exclusive courses from their rankings?


Lastly, just checking on whether that actually is Arran in the background of the photo of the 17th or is it the Kintyre peninsula?


Cheers,


James

[Conor Rankin]

Thank you Ran for the write up. It will be interesting to follow how this course develops and if it becomes apparent how to get on to play


I don't know if it has already been posted but the development photos are on the Harrison website


http://www.harrisongolf.com.au/ardfin-estate-golf-course


Conor

[Bill Gayne]

I would give it a 9 right now and honestly I think it has the chance to become a 10 as it matures just a little.

I haven't seen the Ardfin course  but a nine or ten would put it in well inside the top 100, at lowest top 50 worldwide. I went through the list of top 100 and I think there are eight cliff top courses in the top 100 (two Cabot courses, Cape Wickham, Kawana, Cape Kidnappers, Shanqin Bay, Pebble Beach, and Cypress). I'm comparing to other cliff top courses based on Ran's review and obviously cliff top courses can be ranked very high.


A nine or ten is extremely high company. In the opinion of those who have seen the golf course, where would Ardfin fit on this list?


Bill

Bill,


Cypress is the best in that list though I wouldn't call it a cliff top course.


I've played all the courses you listed and am personally in the camp that believes Pebble is overrated though I do enjoy playing there.


Right now I have Ardfin as the #2 course in your list.


I would rate them as follows:


Cypress
Ardfin
Pebble
Cabot Cliffs
*Shanqin Bay (though right now they have lost their 17th hole and without it they would drop to the bottom of this list.
Kawana (personally wouldn't call this one a cliff top course either, though at two points there is a cliff.
Cape Wickham
Cape Kidnappers
Cabot Links (though if this is a cliff top course then so are Bandon Dunes - Pacific Dunes)

David,


Wow, I know you've seen a lot of golf and that is a really high standard.


Thanks for the response.


Bill

[Tom_Doak]

I would give it a 9 right now and honestly I think it has the chance to become a 10 as it matures just a little.

Your previous review of it noted two or three holes you didn't think worked very well.  That's a 9 and better than all those top 100 courses you listed?


It is undoubtedly a gorgeous spot but I'm starting to feel that these super exclusive places shouldn't be ranked at all, because the "experience " seems to have so much influence on peoples opinion.


The only problem with that approach is trying to figure out where to draw the line: is it between Ellerston and Tara Iti, or between Tara Iti and Seminole, or should Seminole and Augusta be ranked?  You've probably got more chance of playing Ellerston than Augusta - especially if you're a rater.

[David McIntosh]

*Shanqin Bay (though right now they have lost their 17th hole and without it they would drop to the bottom of this list.

David,

Interesting perspective on your rating of the courses Bill listed.

Whilst I'm conscious this is an Ardfin thread, I'm interested to know why the loss of one, admittedly excellent looking, hole at Shanqin Bay would warrant moving the course to the bottom of your personal list? I get that the others (Kawana, Cape Wickham, Cape Kidnappers and Cabot Links) are all world top 100 so the standards are very high and the margins fine but wondered if there were any other factors.

Based on your play at Ardfin, is there a 'glue that holds the course together' hole that if substituted for a basic/ordinary replacement would result in Ardfin dropping down your rankings?

[David Davis]

Your previous review of it noted two or three holes you didn't think worked very well.  That's a 9 and better than all those top 100 courses you listed?


It is undoubtedly a gorgeous spot but I'm starting to feel that these super exclusive places shouldn't be ranked at all, because the "experience " seems to have so much influence on peoples opinion.


The only problem with that approach is trying to figure out where to draw the line: is it between Ellerston and Tara Iti, or between Tara Iti and Seminole, or should Seminole and Augusta be ranked?  You've probably got more chance of playing Ellerston than Augusta - especially if you're a rater.

Tom,


"Your previous review of it noted two or three holes you didn't think worked very well.  That's a 9 and better than all those top 100 courses you listed?"


I couldn't recall saying this or implying it in my review but wasn't sure so went back through it again. I only mentioned that two approaches were really tough as we played them into the wind. I don't think that says it doesn't work, I think that says you may need to lay up and try to play smart or the small forced carry will be impossible for most players into a serious wind. I guess it's ok to have some very challenging hole on some of the best courses in the world. At least if we include Pine Valley and Cypress Point and a few others in the mix.


Your other point is one I guess you have direct control over with regards to your Confidential Guides though I find unlikely that some of the other companies and publications who need or survive from the publicity generated from their rankings will make those choices. As you know I have little to say about this but It's hard for me to imagine leaving out all these courses in a Global Ranking. I mean you mention Tara Iti but I can't imagine that deep down you would like to have this omitted from any rankings. I for one wouldn't want it to be as it's awesome and one of your best. Leave courses of that level out then for me you could skip the rankings all together or just put together a ranking of courses that everyone can play.


I definitely wish people could see these places as relative discussion would be all the more interesting.


Yes, 9 for me is extremely high and there are not many of those I would give out but it's rare that I really find a course where I think there are 18 excellent to great holes. Pebble is most certainly not one of them and to me Ardfin is. But that's just my opinion.

[David Davis]

*Shanqin Bay (though right now they have lost their 17th hole and without it they would drop to the bottom of this list.

David,

Interesting perspective on your rating of the courses Bill listed.

Whilst I'm conscious this is an Ardfin thread, I'm interested to know why the loss of one, admittedly excellent looking, hole at Shanqin Bay would warrant moving the course to the bottom of your personal list? I get that the others (Kawana, Cape Wickham, Cape Kidnappers and Cabot Links) are all world top 100 so the standards are very high and the margins fine but wondered if there were any other factors.

Based on your play at Ardfin, is there a 'glue that holds the course together' hole that if substituted for a basic/ordinary replacement would result in Ardfin dropping down your rankings?

Hi David,


I don't want to thread jack but I didn't say it drop to the bottom of my list, only to the bottom of the list of courses mentioned.


The 17th is one of the most spectacular and perhaps even best holes at Shanqin Bay. Now it's planted full with trees. There is a makeshift alternative hole which I have never played because all the holes were in play when I visited but let's face it we are talking about picking hairs of the best 100 courses in the world and if courses start losing holes this has a great affect to the routing and the course in many ways. Diamante Dunes another example lost their 18th hole due to real estate. They had to change it, these things can make a huge difference.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Ran thanks for the comprehensive review and I know you think about these things carefully. It looks like a great place to golf.
 
Picking at this I note, there are 3 par 3’s all playing as pretty heroic, effectively knob to knob?  This type of hole plays very hard on windy days. Second tee shot of the day 205 yards, do or die!
 
Sometimes the dust needs to settle and over time one grows to appreciate the quality of things for their ‘quiet’ moments and the balance that can bring. Might repeat plays highlight their difficulty and perhaps the choice of forsaking more variety be lamented? But then this doesn’t seem like a course for repeat plays and they certainly do all look most appealing.
 
Not worried as my chance of an invitation was indistinguishable from a zero anyway.

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