Short or Par 3 Courses - Ireland or Scotland

[Steve_Roths]

Got a friend travelling to both countries coming up and wanted to add in some different courses.


The pitch at putts at N.Berwick and Turnberry come to mind for short courses.


Anything else worth visiting for fun in either Ireland or Scotland?

[Tom_Doak]

In Ireland there are lots of pitch and putt courses, but it's got its own separate culture, as distinct from the big courses as disc golf would be.  I don't recall any par-3 courses alongside any of the famous links, as of yet anyway.

[Tim Gallant]

The Bruntsfield Links with a pint in The Golf Tavern after - a wedge and putter is all that's needed and it's free!!

[Mike Hendren]

Are the pitch and putt courses generally played with a heavier ball?

[Conor Rankin]

Royal Portrush has a par 3 course called the Skerries. It was a great little nine hole course but has become 4 or 5 holes with the new routing of the Dunluce and Valley courses. Some land from the Skerries course was used for the finish of the Valley course

[Adam Lawrence]

I'm at Castlerock today. The nine hole Bank course isn't a par three, and although it's relatively short it for sure packs a decent punch. However, it is truly magnificent. Wonderful, wonderful terrain, and mostly used very well indeed. I really enjoyed the big course, but I reckon the Bann is more fun.

[Thomas Dai]

I'm at Castlerock today. The nine hole Bank course isn't a par three, and although it's relatively short it for sure packs a decent punch. However, it is truly magnificent. Wonderful, wonderful terrain, and mostly used very well indeed. I really enjoyed the big course, but I reckon the Bann is more fun.

I’m a big fan of The Bann Course at Castlerock and did a GCA photo tour of it, from which, thanks to Photo-bucket, the photos have now disappeared. Worth playing.


Otway, near Rathmullen in Donegal would be another.

Covesea near Lossiemouth would be a Scottish contender.

Atb

[Adam_Messix]

The Skerries course at Royal Portrush is currently 6 holes due to the changes to the Dunluce and Valley.  I was informed that after the 2019 Open they will likely use some of the ground where the old 17th and 18th holes of the Dunluce to add some holes.  The 4th is a natural punchbowl in the dunes near the new 18th tee of the Valley that alone makes it worth seeing and the 5th has an angled green with a tightly mowed hill that misdirects a pull that is quite good too.

While taking the back roads to avoid traffic, I saw a pitch and putt that looked cute using some smaller land movements to create interest.  Wish I had time to stop and didn't catch the name of the course, but on a brief glimpse it looked fun.   

Adam--
Is the entire course at Castlerock back open? 

[Adam Lawrence]

The Skerries course at Royal Portrush is currently 6 holes due to the changes to the Dunluce and Valley.  I was informed that after the 2019 Open they will likely use some of the ground where the old 17th and 18th holes of the Dunluce to add some holes.  The 4th is a natural punchbowl in the dunes near the new 18th tee of the Valley that alone makes it worth seeing and the 5th has an angled green with a tightly mowed hill that misdirects a pull that is quite good too.

While taking the back roads to avoid traffic, I saw a pitch and putt that looked cute using some smaller land movements to create interest.  Wish I had time to stop and didn't catch the name of the course, but on a brief glimpse it looked fun.   

Adam--
Is the entire course at Castlerock back open?

It is. Been at their media day today.

[Mark Chaplin]

The Balgove at St. Andrews is kept in superb condition and whilst not linksy is a good short game test.

[Marty Bonnar]

Hickory Golf at Kingarrock is a blast;


https://www.nts.org.uk/Kingarrock-Hickory-Golf/


Cheers,
F.

[Eric_Terhorst]

The 9-holer at Portmahomack, not far from Dornoch, is definitely worth a visit if your friend is up that way.


http://www.tarbatgolf.com/

[David Bowen]

I was never overcome with a fever to play greater than when I looked upon the pitch and putt course in Doolin on the west coast of Ireland.  Alas, it was wet and windy and my fair weather wife was in the car.  The traditional music in the nearby pubs was almost a salve for the missed opportunity.

[Steve_Roths]

Any thoughts on St. Olaf's at Cruden?

[Thomas Dai]

Any thoughts on St. Olaf's at Cruden?

Epic wee course. Not that wee actually. The 6th-7th-8th might even be the best 3 holes of the total 27 (28) at CB.


If you’re at CB and don’t take the opportunity to play the St Olaf you’ve really missed out.


Atb

[Tim Fitz]

Clew Bay, just north of Westport in Mayo is the second most fun I have ever had on a golf course.  I don't think it registers on the Doak scale, but sure fits the bill for a fun, quirky short 9 holer.  If I recall correctly, it didn't have a bunker on the entire course, but the wind was sure a factor.

[Steve_Roths]

Would the Castle Course at Lahinch count as a short course?  Looking at the routing there appears to be a handful of par 3 holes back to back:


2,3,5,6,7

[David McIntosh]

There's the Wee Course at Blairgowrie comprising four par 3s and five par 4s. It's certainly more than a pitch and putt but none of the holes are overly long with the longest one and two shotters about 180 and 415 yards respectively (all of the other par 4s are 340 yards or less).

My understanding is that the holes were designed by MacKenzie and formed part of the original 18 hole layout at Blairgowrie but weren't used when Braid subsequently redesigned and added new holes to what we know as the Rosemount course today.