[Scott Whitley]

If you could play two (maybe three) of Brora, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Moray Old and Fraserburgh, which would you choose?  Also, would you skip Castle Stuart to add another to your list?  (Yes, definitely playing Dornoch). Thanks in advance.

[Jon Wiggett]

Scott,


though many here might suggest otherwise I would not skip Castle Stuart. After that I would definitely play Brora but add Golspie and Nairn to your list ahead of Fortrose. Wick and Tain are also worth a look. Fraserburgh and Moray are very fine courses but a good distance away compared to those I have mentioned prior. Also, if you are open to non links then Boat of Garten should not be missed.


I am just north of Inverness so feel free to PM if you want/need any info on accommodation or a playing companion on the odd day.


Jon

[Greg Gilson]

Scott, Jon's suggestions are pretty spot on, of course.

Said another way, if I had the option of 3 rounds in that neighbourhood I would definitely go (1)Dornoch (2) Castlestuart (3) Brora. If I had the option of a 4'th round I would definitely recommend a second round at Dornoch above the others but , if pushed, I would instal Nairn (if prepared to make the slightly longer drive) or Golspie.

Hope this helps.

[David_Tepper]

Scott -

A lot depends on how much driving you wish to do, what time of year your will be there and if you are inclined to play 36 holes in a day. If you visit from mid-May till the end of July, you can play golf till 10:00pm.

If you base yourself in or near Dornoch (which I would recommend doing for 3 or 4 nights), the courses at Brora, Golspie & Tain (which are all very much worth playing) are all within a 20 minute drive. There is a ticket you can purchase which will give you discounted green fees at all of those courses.

http://www.dornochfirthgolf.co.uk/default.php 

From Dornoch, figure it is a 1-hour drive to Castle Stuart, a 2-hour drive to Moray Old and a 3+ hour drive to Fraserburgh.

While not a links, Duff House Royal is on the coast between Moray and Fraserburgh and is well worth playing.

DT 

[Bill_McBride]

Golspie is the sleeper of that group in my opinion.  Great walk through several different environments, and a terrific set of par 3s.

[Sean_A]

If you could play two (maybe three) of Brora, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Moray Old and Fraserburgh, which would you choose?  Also, would you skip Castle Stuart to add another to your list?  (Yes, definitely playing Dornoch). Thanks in advance.

If money isn't an issue I wouldn't skip Castle Stuart. 

Would suggest Brora is the one of your four choices to make sure to play.  Fraserburgh is easy to chuck out because its such a drive.  Because of distance Moray is probably the other I would chuck out if its a two horse race. 

If three courses: Brora, Fortrose and Moray

If two courses: Brora & Fortrose

If you are looking to change out a course and have cash (plenty of it), I would chuck Fortrose for Carnegie. 

Ciao

[James Brown]

If you could play two (maybe three) of Brora, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Moray Old and Fraserburgh, which would you choose?  Also, would you skip Castle Stuart to add another to your list?  (Yes, definitely playing Dornoch). Thanks in advance.

Of these four, Fortrose is the least interesting.  Brora is 100% worth it.  Moray has a really interesting closing stretch.  Fraserburgh is pure except for 1 and 18. 

[hhuffines]

I would recommend studying the long holes at Brora before you play, unless you have a caddy.  I played it recently as a single and had a little trouble figuring where to hit quite a few shots.  That said, I loved it there!

[Niall C]

I would recommend studying the long holes at Brora before you play, unless you have a caddy.  I played it recently as a single and had a little trouble figuring where to hit quite a few shots.  That said, I loved it there!

Isn't that part of golf, figuring out where to hit it ?

Niall

[Ally Mcintosh]

Moray Old is a seriously underrated golf course. It is head and shoulders above Fortrose and Rosemarkie, despite me having a fondness for the latter from playing there a lot as a kid.

Ally

[Niall C]

Scott

I'm assuming you are travelling about anyway so the relative distances with the courses you name maybe isn't that big an issue or no issue at all. That being the case I'd put the courses you mention in the following order;

Moray Old
Fraserburgh
Brora
Fortrose & Rosemarkie

I'm possibly doing F&R a disservice as I haven't played it in decades. Fraserburgh and Brora are a close call with the more interesting golf of Fraserburgh against the rustic charm of Brora.

Moray Old though is the best of that bunch IMO although I am biased having been a member for a few years. To me the golf is every bit as good as Dornoch and probably better but then I don't think RD is quite as good as some say although it is indeed very good and you won't be disappointed. Moray Old has a different character and maybe not as scenic although it definitely has its moments, and many more highlights than just the closing stretch as maybe inferred by James.

Lots of good suggestions on other courses to play but appreciate that these are the ones that have peaked your interest and therefore wouldn't suggest you drop any of them for another course. Just go with what interests you. If you are looking to get a bit more golf in then suggest maybe playing some of the 9 holers that litter that part of the country. They offer some great "non-standard" golf.

If you are driving up the A9 the there are a couple of nine hole options at Blair Atholl and at Strathtay. Of those two I'd pick Strathtay which is more adventurous/quirky golf complete with the original wooden hut for a "clubhouse" together with honesty box. If you are willing to travel a good bit further off the A9 then there is Dalmunzie which was designed by Tom Simpson which has some terrific golf albeit like a lot of these courses the rabbits and the sheep do there fair share in keeping the place in order. 

A bit further north and closer to Boat of Garten you have Ballindalloch which is a modern 9 holer by Tom McKenzie with some interesting greens. You also have Nethy Bridge (Abernethy GC) which I haven't played but have walked and it has some good old fashioned golf including a par 3 played over a public road. A favourite of Jon Wigget and looks well worth a play.

If you are driving up from the south by way of the Dundee/Aberdeen road then Fraserburgh makes sense. Close to the town itself is Rosehearty links which Tom Doak seemed to enjoy and which my friends from that part of the world speak highly of. Right beside Moray GC you have the nine hole links called Covesea which is great fun although suggest you don't tee up one of your brand new Pro V's.

Over towards Dornoch area you have Bonar Bridge which I have played and has some good golf and is really quite scenic. Also Portmahomack (Tarbat GC) which has everything some good golf and quirk in equal measure. The you have Jon W's own course at Brahan which will test your sporty credentials. All these nine holers will likely cost you no more than £10 or £15 for nine holes and maybe £20 for a second go round.

And if you are up that way I'd take up Jon's offer of a game. Good golfer and good company, he'll be able to keep you right on where to go and what to do. Just look out for the lump of metal on the end of a stick which he calls a rescue club.

Niall

[David_Tepper]

"Isn't that part of golf, figuring out where to hit it ?"

Niall -

The first few times you play Brora, the issue isn't so much "where to hit it" as "where is the next tee, where is the next golf hole." It is pretty easy to get disoriented in a number of places out there.

DT

[Ian Mackenzie]

If you plan on doing that much driving and are even considering Fraserburgh, then go play Cruden Bay!!!


That makes all your other decisions easier as it is on top of list with all courses you mention except RDGC.

[Charlie_Bell]

Niall,


When I played Brora, we were a foursome without a caddy.  On several holes we had a difficult time figuring out where the next tee was and, when we got there, where to aim.  Of course, the pea-soup fog didn't help.

[Steve Salmen]

Is Lossiouth still used as an air base? If so it is very loud.

[hhuffines]

Niall C, thanks for the smart ass reply!  I was trying to help someone enjoy their day if they play Brora.  If you ever saw the movie, Arthur, please remember what Hobson told the guy in the office.


Hart

[Bob Montle]

Finally an easy question that I'm qualified to answer!
Fraserburgh and Brora.   No question.

[Niall C]

Niall C, thanks for the smart ass reply!  I was trying to help someone enjoy their day if they play Brora.  If you ever saw the movie, Arthur, please remember what Hobson told the guy in the office.


Hart

Actually Hart, it was a perfectly serious reply. Using your brain is part of golf, and the very best architects allowed for that and encouraged that.

Niall

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