Whalsay Golf Club, Shetland - Remoteness Redefined

[Robin_Hiseman]

Ever since seeing some of Clyde Johnson's fabulous still photographs of Whalsay, this uber-remote seaside 18-holes has held a fascination for me.


Now, You Tuber Liam Harrison of Golf Mates has done what nobody has done adequately before and showcased it with a charming and enthusiastic 8-hole playing vlog. I urge you to watch it. It may well have you checking out the flight schedules to Shetland. It looks extraordinary and the epitome of rustic, ends-of-the-earth golf. Count me in for a GCA golf trip, especially in June, when it barely gets dark.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqdb7fJrdE4&t=2189s

[Niall C]

Coincidentally I watched the Whalsay episode of Golf Mates episode last night. There looked to be some entertaining and challenging cross-country golf and clearly Liam Harrison was a big fan. Where were Clyde's photos ?


Niall

[Thomas Dai]

Pleased to see this piece produced as I noticed the existence of this course a few years back and have long wanted to learn more. I believe an occasional if esteemed contributor herein has visited.

Enthusiastic is an understatement of LH/GM opinion.
Community golf. Splendid.
Atb

[Robin_Hiseman]

Coincidentally I watched the Whalsay episode of Golf Mates episode last night. There looked to be some entertaining and challenging cross-country golf and clearly Liam Harrison was a big fan. Where were Clyde's photos ?


Niall

Niall


They were on Clyde's laptop. He might share them with you if you ask. They were from his drone.

[Thomas Dai]

For those who may be so inclined I believe there is a rural local ‘airport’ or at least runway immediately adjacent to the course.
Atb

[Charlie Goerges]

I just had to scroll quickly through, but that place looks like the definition of a course that is "draped over the land". I look forward to watching it later, thanks for the link.

[Clyde Johnson]

Thanks Robin.


There's going to be a piece on Shetland - which includes some of those photos - in William Watt's next Contours book series.


A trip to Whalsay, and Shetland in general, is highly recommended, especially if you catch it on a pure summer's day.

[Matt Schoolfield]

I remember adding Whalsay when I was updating the wiki with all the courses in Scotland, and it seemed remarkable. I would add that there are two other courses on Shetland: Asta Golf Course and Shetland Golf Club.

[Simon Barrington]

I remember adding Whalsay when I was updating the wiki with all the courses in Scotland, and it seemed remarkable. I would add that there are two other courses on Shetland: Asta Golf Course and Shetland Golf Club.

The 6th at Shetland GC looks a fun half-Par 4:

https://www.shetlandgolfclub.co.uk/hole6


(From Dai's Video later down this thread numbering may have been re-ordered as the 4th? Still "Slipway")

[Thomas Dai]

The old abandoned clifftop course amongst the military bunkers and installations at RAF base on Unst looks like it was exciting. Unst being the most northerly of the Shetland Isles and thus the U.K.
http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2009/12/most-intimidating-golf-course-in-world.html

And then there is Lighthouse keeper golf on Fair Island, the island that sits between the Orkney and Shetland Isles - https://www.forgottengreens.com/forgotten-greens/shetland-baltasound-unst/fair-isle/


Golf’s essentially a simple stick, ball, hole game playable almost anywhere.



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[Robin_Hiseman]

Clyde


I'm not familiar with William Watt's Contours, but have taken a look online. I've got a few blogs hidden away that might be suitable for his site. Let me know when your Shetland piece is available.


The Asta golf club is an unusual course, in that it reverses the direction of play every two weeks. One would have to plan a trip well to experience both routings.

[Matt Schoolfield]

The old abandoned clifftop course amongst the military bunkers and installations at RAF base on Unst looks like it was exciting. Unst being the most northerly of the Shetland Isles and thus the U.K.
http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2009/12/most-intimidating-golf-course-in-world.html

And then there is Lighthouse keeper golf on Fair Island, the island that sits between the Orkney and Shetland Isles - https://www.forgottengreens.com/forgotten-greens/shetland-baltasound-unst/fair-isle/

Thank you for this, I was able to add four courses I was missing from the area via your post: The Lighthouse Keeper’s Golf Course, The Knab, Lamba Ness, and Burrafirth.

[Thomas Dai]

For those keen to see another Shetland course …. here’s Shetland GC not too far north of Lerwick -
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VSpdr_caicI
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[Brian_Ewen]

The old abandoned clifftop course amongst the military bunkers and installations at RAF base on Unst looks like it was exciting. Unst being the most northerly of the Shetland Isles and thus the U.K.
http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2009/12/most-intimidating-golf-course-in-world.html

Wow, never knew there was a golf course there at one time.

I crew changed through Unst for many years, and sometimes got stuck in Unst, staying at the Hagdale Lodge.

Believe Unst is a Space Port now.

[Thomas Dai]

YouTubers following each other around the World.
Who can find the most remote, dramatic etc etc … which we then share further!
Here’s Randoms/EAL’s recently released contribution on Whalsay - /https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E-qeqvPi9ys
Atb

[Robin_Hiseman]

You wait for years for a film about Whalsay and then two come along within a fortnight.


Erik Anders Lang this time.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-qeqvPi9ys

My interest is definitely piqued, but it is a proper commitment to go there ahead of other enticing places. I imagine that on a nice day it may be golfing heaven, but one would have to be extremely fortunate to be that lucky, unless you can schedule a visit at short notice with knowledge of a favourable weather window.

I'll get there. Maybe some of you can join me.