Golf in the Scottish Borders (1/4)
Golf in the Scottish Borders – (Part 1 of 4)
The Scottish Borders region is possibly better known for its fishing and rugby than for its golf courses. There are over 20 courses in the region, most of which are parkland layouts and all with their own challenges. It’s an area I have visited a lot for rugby but less frequently for golf. So I decided to head south, re-aquaint myself with Golf in the Scottish Borders and find out what I’d been missing out on!
Today I am featuring Eyemouth Golf Club and also highlighting 3 other courses in the Scottish Borders. I’ll be doing 3 more similar short blogs on ‘Golf in the Scottish Borders’ over the next few days, featuring different courses.
There is a huge amount to do in the Scottish Borders apart from golf and I’ll touch upon some of the other activities and places of interest in the area, at the end of the blog.
Today’s Featured Course
Eyemouth Golf Club
Eyemouth Golf Course sits on a cliff top on the east coast of Scotland just a few miles from the border with England. It has fabulous sea views from most holes and is the only coastal golf course in the Scottish Borders.
Most courses traditionally have one signature hole but Eyemouth has two holes that get a fair amount of attention!
Firstly, the 6th Hole (A Still No Ken) was voted ‘Britain’s No 1 Most Extraordinary Golf Hole’ and was included in the Top 18 Holes in Scottish Golf 2015.
Secondly, Eyemouth’s 13th hole (Hawkness) is Scotland’s longest hole at 656 yards when played from the tiger tee.
For the first four holes, you work your way around the clubhouse before crossing the road to the cliff top section of the course. The next six holes are fairly flat and allow you to take in the views. A climb up the 11th hole is where you’ll want to have a camera handy!
The 13th hole as mentioned before is the longest par 5 in Scotland and thankfully it’s downhill! However, you’ll want to conserve some energy for another climb at the 15th before working your way back round to the clubhouse.
Eyemouth is a treat to play and despite being on a cliff top, there is a definite links course feel to many of the holes. You’ll come across water hazards and water features, old stone built walls and bridges, wild flowers and some of the best views out onto the North Sea. This is the only option for coastal golf in the Scottish Borders, as the rest of the courses are all parkland layouts.
Eyemouth is a popular course, so make sure you book well in advance.
Other highlighted courses for golf in the Scottish Borders
The Hirsel
This is a course that is tucked away in the Scottish Borders with the ‘hidden gem’ tag attached to it. In Scottish golfing terms it’s a relative new comer, having been founded 70 years ago in 1948.
The course sits in the grounds of the former home of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, prime minister of United Kingdom in 1963-64.
It’s a well established, tree lined course where ‘short and straight’ is the best strategy on most of the longer holes. The huge trees define many of the holes at The Hirsel and it’s a ‘chip out’ if you go anywhere near them and their sprawling branches. Out of bounds also comes into play, as does the River Leet on several holes.
The signature hole (10th) is possibly the shortest par 3 you’ll play at 93-98 yards. However, it’s not as simple from the tee as you may think! Looking down to the 10th green, you are aware, not only of a 40 foot drop in elevation but also the five bunkers and the River Leet surrounding it.
The Hirsel has a Gents Open on 28th July (£15) and a Ladies Tex Mex Open the following day on 29th July (£10). It’s well worth a visit, particularly if you’re in the Berwick/Coldstream/Kelso area.
Duns Golf Course
Duns GC is a lovely parkland course situated to the west of Duns at the foot of Hardens Hill – it’s a relatively easy walking course with gentle slopes and one or two short, steep climbs.
The fairways are reasonably generous, however, there is a burn that you should be aware of on several holes. This is one of those courses that you know you’ll be round in 3 hours – and maybe tempted for another 18 after lunch!
They have a Senior Gents Open on 26th July (£10), Gents Open on 18th Aug (£15) & a Ladies Pairs Open on 2nd Sep (£15/pair)
Lauder Golf Course
The 9 hole course at Lauder maybe your first stop for golf in the Scottish Borders as you head south from Edinburgh. It’s a gentle sloping parkland course that dates back to 1896. The initial layout was by Willie Park Jnr, British Open Champion in 1887 & 1889.
They have a Gents Open on 29th July (£12) & a Ladies Open Greensome on 11th Aug (£15/pair)
Other non-golfing activities in the Scottish Borders
There is so much to do for both golfers and non-golfers in the Scottish Borders, plenty places to stay and many places to eat and drink in all the main towns.
- Fishing on the River Tweed and the River Teviot.
- Mountain biking at Glentress
- Plenty Hill walking, canoeing/kayaking & cycling to name a few.
Places to Visit (click the links for websites details):
Castles:
- Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
- Hume Castle, Kelso
- Hermitage Castle, Newcastleton
- Floors Castle
- Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum
Abbeys:
Museums:
- Hawick Museum & Scott Art Gallery
- Eyemouth Museum
- Jim Clark Room (currently closed until Spring 2019)
- Coldstream Museum
- Museum at Gungreen House
- The John Buchan Story
Exhibitions/Visitor Centres/Gardens:
Historic Buildings:
- Paxton House
- Mellerstain House & Gardens
- Borders Textile Towerhouse
- Smailholm Tower
- Old Gala House
- Bowhill House & Country Estate
- Traquair House
- Abbotsford House
