The 7th of March 1744 is a significant date in the world of golf, as it’s the date when the first rules of golf were introduced. There were 13 of them in total, handwritten on 2 sheets of paper. This made me wonder how many rules there are today.
I found out that since 1744, we have only gone from 13 rules to 24 rules. That seemed ludicrous, as the number of golf rules appear never ending to me. However, all is not what it seems, as I am sure you are aware. By the time you add together the 24 rules to the sub-rules, to the sub-sub-rules and to the definitions, you have a 240 page rules document. A bit more daunting than the 2 sheets of paper in 1744.
This is a reflection of the popularity of the sport. Without the instigation, moulding and developing of these rules, golf wouldn’t be the game that we know and love today.
So why were the rules set up in the first place?
In 1744, on the east coast of Scotland, the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links asked the Edinburgh town council for a prize for an annual golf competition. The golfers had been jealous of the local archers, who received a silver arrow from the town council for a competition in 1709.
Leith Links today
The Edinburgh town council presented the golfers with a silver golf club to be played for over Leith Links. This was on the understanding that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links set down rules that would govern the game of golf. The event was to be the first ever ‘open’ golf competition worldwide, played under the first rules of golf.
What were The First Rules of Golf?
It was on the 7th March 1744 that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links changed their name to the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’. This group of golfers created the first 13 rules of golf (above). John Rattray, who won the first annual competition, signed off these rules, as captain. The ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ later became the ‘Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ who now reside at Muirfield in East Lothian, Scotland.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ plaque on the cairn at Leith Links
The Home of Golf – Scotland or…Leith Links?
The fact that rules were drawn up was very important for the development of the game. It ensured regulation and set the benchmark for the sport moving forward. These rules formed the basis of the modern game and led to Scotland being viewed as the ancestral Home of Golf.
The Cairn at Leith Links
All that remains of golf on Leith Links today is a cairn with 3 commemorative plaques on it. The first shows the layout of the 5 holes of that first competition. The second commemorates 250 years of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The third and final plaque states Leith Links – The Home of Golf with a short description of the events of 1744.
The geographical term, The Home of Golf, will always be associated with Scotland, in the eyes of the golfing world. However, within Scotland, at its golfing core, Leith Links could well be the place where the term finds its origin.
THE HOME OF GOLF – A plaque commemorating the first rules of golf that formed the basis for the modern game.
The Leith Rules Golf Society
The Leith Rules Golf Society have been fundraising for a bronze cast statue of John Rattray, winner of the first ‘open’ golf competition in 1744. They hope to unveil the statue on Leith Links at some point this year.
The precise origins of the game of golf are unclear, in terms of the numerous ‘stick and ball’ games played throughout the ages. Despite this, these first 13 rules differentiated golf from any other stick and ball game. They marked a clear turning point in the modern game and they have a significant place in Golfing History.
The course layout at Leith Links in the 18th century
The Leith Rules Golf Society
The Leith Rules Golf Society has been fundraising for a statue of John Rattray to be located at the original first hole of Leith Links. More information on the Leith Rules Society can be found on their website – http://www.leith-rules-golf.co.uk/statue.htm
Midlothian sits just south of Scotland’s capital. It’s an ideal spot for a few days break and it has more than enough things going on, to keep you occupied, without necessarily having to venture in to the city of Edinburgh.
Views to the Pentlands from Glencorse Golf Club
The area is a perfect place for outdoor activities such hiking/walking, as the Pentland Hills have over 100km of waymarked routes, for all levels of fitness.
There are historic landmarks and buildings to visit, of which Rosslyn Chapel, as seen in the film, The Da Vinci Code, is one of many.
From skiing, mid-summer, at the Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend, to taking a walk on the wildside at The Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World, there is something for everyone! I’ve listed a number of activities in the area, at the end of the blog and also listed some accommodation nearby.
….and of course, there’s always golf – I visited four clubs in Midlothian this month and here’s what I found!
Newbattle Golf Club is 2 miles from the Edinburgh City bypass, 25 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 60 minutes from Glasgow.
The Course
Newbattle Golf Club can date its origins as far back as 1880 when the club was called, Dalkeith Golf Club. In 1896, the club changed its name to form Dalkeith and Newbattle Golf Club.
Dalkeith and Newbattle Golf Club continued until 1934, when a final name change to Newbattle Golf Club was established. This also coincided with the club moving to its present site.
Newbattle Golf Club – Clubhouse
The 5,912 yard par 69 layout was designed by the well known golf architect, Harry Colt in 1933 and opened in 1934.
Surrounded by trees, the majority of this Midlothian parkland course sits on gently sloping land. The River South Esk separates the first two holes and the last two holes from the rest of the course. Linking the two sections of the course is the Maiden Bridge, built by the monks of Newbattle Abbey in the late 15th century.
Newbattle Golf Club – 2nd green with the Maiden Bridge in the background
Holes
A large tree at the first hole invites you to play down the left, which is no bad thing as this is the best angle into a green. This first green slopes away from you and there is out of bounds not far behind.
The second is a great wee hole. It’s a 262 yard dogleg right, par four and you tee off from an elevated tee down to the fairway below. The hole is called Maiden Bridge, after the bridge that sits behind the green, as mentioned above.
The first real test comes at the 5th hole where you’ll have 438 yards of a gradual incline to the hole. You are rewarded with great views on the 5th green/ 6th tee over the Midlothian countryside to Arthur’s Seat in the heart of Edinburgh.
Newbattle Golf Club – 5th green looking over to Arthur’s Seat
The 6th is another tough 423 yard hole and plays into the prevailing westerly wind.
If you find the first six holes a tough challenge, then there is a bit of respite over the next six. Four of the par 4s average around 329 yards between the 7th & 12th. These par 4s are broken up with two good par 3s at the 8th and the 11th.
Newbattle Golf Club – par 3, 8th hole
The 8th is a great par 3. It’s only 169 yards but it’s downhill and, as you’re playing into a corner of the course, surrounded by trees, you’re never 100% sure what the wind is going to do!
The par 3, 11th is flat and a little bit longer than the 8th, at 171 yards. The green has five bunkers around it, although, depending on where you’re teeing from you may only see three…. but, trust me, the other two are there!
Newbattle Golf Club – 11th hole
Another good hole appears shortly after, in the form of the par 5, 13th “Lucky Dip”. This dogleg left is on, for the big hitters, as you may have a the prevailing wind behind you and the last third of the hole is down hill.
Your last really tough hole is the very next one at the 14th. This 236 yard par 3 plays into the prevailing wind to a green guarded by three bunkers. Par here is a great score and bogey is certainly no disgrace!
The final four holes are par 4s and all are around the 360 yard mark but it’s the 17th that’s the real standout hole for me.
Newbattle Golf Club – 17th fairway from the elevated tee
From an elevated tee, you play over the River South Esk down to the fairway below. If you decide to go for the green with your second then your shot will be back up to an elevated green. With trees on both sides of the green and bunkers front right and left, narrowing the entrance, accuracy is key here.
Newbattle Golf Club – 17th fairway to elevated green
There are a number of really good holes on this golf course that will test your game. It’s a relatively easy walking track and one that I will return to without hesitation.
Opens
Only one Open left at Newbattle and that’s a Seniors Mixed Open Greensomes on Wednesday 5th September.
Broomieknowe GC is 2 miles from Edinburgh City bypass, 25 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 60 minutes from Glasgow.
The Club/Course
Broomieknowe Golf Club – Clubhouse
The club was founded in 1905 and the original course was designed and laid out by Ben Sayers of North Berwick. The course was untouched until 1932 when none other than five times Open Champion, James Braid was hired to alter and extend Sayers’ layout.
The course would remain the same for 60 years until the construction of the Edinburgh City Bypass in 1992. Whilst some ground was lost at this time, another five holes were built on adjacent ground. By the time this work was complete, Broomieknowe GC measured 6,172 yards with a par of 70.
The course is a parkland layout, with its main defence being tight, tree lined fairways and well placed bunkers throughout.
Holes
Broomieknowe Golf Club – 1st hole
The first three holes allow you to get off to a gentle start, on the basis you’re hitting it straight. Length is not an issue but anything too far right or left will leave you chipping out of trees or being blocked out for your second.
A distinct change in layout comes, beyond the walled path, at the short 4th, which plays over more undulating terrain.
Broomieknowe Golf Club – 4th fairway
The 5th hole is a great 167 yard, par 3, which plays down to a green, guarded at the front by three bunkers. Trees and bushes aren’t far from the other three sides of the green.
Broomieknowe Golf Club – par 3 5th hole
Holes 6 & 7 are two really good testing par 4s and it’s no wonder that they are stroke index 4 & 3 respectively.
You get a chance to get a stroke back at the 8th hole. It’s a 467 yard, par 5 (back tees) and the green should be in range for the longer hitters.
The 9th is another good hole, which plays slightly up hill. This hole offers up another chance for the longer hitters to score here.
Broomieknowe Golf Club – 10th tee
The real tough test, on the back nine, comes at the 12th, 13th & 14th holes. 3 back to back par 4s averaging 440 yards each! The 12th and 14th are stroke index 1 and 3 respectively.
On the 12th & 13th it’s all about avoiding tree trouble and keeping it straight. As you tee off from the 12th tee, you may want to have a good look to your left and analyse the 13th green. It is a sunken green, with a severe slope at the front. It’s this slope that you’ll want to avoid, with your approach to the 13th.
Broomieknowe Golf Club – the sunken 13th green
As you stand on the 14th tee, you face and uphill 443 yard par 4, which, if it’s into the prevailing wind, will provide the toughest challenge of the day!
Broomieknowe Golf Club – 14th tee
The 15th is a good par 3 with a bunker sitting to the right of the green. This may force you to play a bit tighter up the left, on this tree lined fairway.
The 16th & 17th aren’t dissimilar to the 1st and 2nd where it’s all about getting the ball on the short stuff and avoiding the avenue of trees, lining the fairways. The 18th has an angled tee, which turns this hole into a slight dog leg right. A couple of bunkers guard the front of the green, so as long as you’re not blocked out by trees, it should be a straight forward finish to the round.
Broomieknowe Golf Club – 18th green
I would definitely recommend this Midlothian course, as it is a good test of golf, over a variety of holes and undulating terrain. There are some tough holes on this well maintained course but equally, there are opportunities to get something back on the shorter holes.
On a Monday to Thursday, you can play Broomieknowe for as little at £20! This is incredible value, so, form an orderly queue, it’s definitely worth it.
Opens
A couple of spaces left in their Opens at the moment, however, I think this blog might come out too late for the one on 21 Aug!
Glencorse Golf Club in Midlothian, is 3 miles from the Edinburgh City bypass, 20 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 55 minutes from Glasgow.
The Course
The club was founded in 1890 and was designed by Willie Park. The 18 hole track at Glencorse Golf Club is unusual, in so much that it has eight par 3 holes, yet it is possibly one of the toughest courses to play to your handicap.
The 5,217 yard course is short and it may have a par of 64 but the ‘Standard Scratch’ is 2 shots above at 66. The reason for this is that seven of the eight par 3s are over 200 yards long, in fairly tight surroundings!
The Glencorse Burn runs through the course and is a lovely feature to have. The burn does affect 10 holes and is maybe another reason for the standard scratch being two shots above par.
The course also provides great views of the Pentland Hills and surrounding Midlothian scenery.
Glencorse Golf Club – view from 18th tee area
Holes
As you tee it up on the first, you immediately get a taste of what this course is all about – challenging par 3s. It is a 225 yard, par 3, over water, to a green guarded by 2 bunkers.
Glencorse Golf Club – view looking back up the 1st, from behind the green.
The challenge continues at the 2nd and 4th where you’ll find two good par 4s before you reach the 5th, the toughest par 3 on the course. The 5th hole is named ‘MacGregor’s Rest’ in honour of, club member, George MacGregor OBE, who was selected five times for the Walker Cup and captained the side twice, in a glittering amateur career.
From the tee, you look down to a flagstick 237 yards away. The hole is completely surrounded by tall mature trees and the Glencorse Burn runs across the hole, separating the fairway from the putting surface. The large green has a slope at the front, which will cast any weak shots back into the burn. This is an intimidating hole, with an amphitheatre feel to it – par this one and you’ll be feeling pretty good!
Glencorse Golf Club – 5th hole with a couple of deer wandering along the side of the burn
The following five holes are perhaps where you’ll want to make a score. From holes 6 through to 10, there are four par 4s under 335 yards and only one par 3 at 164 yards.
In contrast, the five holes from 11 to 15 are as tough as you get. Three of those holes are par 3s, all over 210 yards. The first, of these par 3s, is at the 11th and it has water running the length of the hole, down the right hand side!
Glencorse Golf Club – 11th hole
As you come to close out your round, one of the highlights is the views from the 18th tee, over the Pentland Hills and down over the course and clubhouse below.
From an elevated tee, the 18th is a short downhill par 4, once again, over water. The elevation changes, the Glencorse Burn and prevailing westerly wind will make this lovely finishing hole feel a bit longer than the 319 yards printed on the scorecard.
Glencorse Golf Club – 18th hole heading back to Clubhouse & Pro Shop
Glencorse is not the sort of course you come across everyday, as it possibly has the toughest collection of par 3s in Scotland, if not UK. You may find yourself laying up on some of the par 3s with water in front, and having to rely on your short game, to get up and down.
It’s a fairly easy course to walk around, although, there are some big elevation changes but not too many. It is a short but challenging track that has lovely views and it’s certainly worth a visit.
Opens
Glencorse GC has some Open events over the next few weeks, which is always a great way to play a new course or a course you haven’t played for a while:
Kings Acre Golf Club is 2 miles from the Edinburgh City bypass, 25 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 60 minutes from Glasgow.
The Course
Kings Acre is a diverse entity. It caters for business and charity functions and events, as well as dealing with its golf academy and 18 holes golf course.
Kings Acre golf course opened its doors in 1997 and its 18 hole course was designed by golf architect, Graeme Webster.
Kings Acre Golf Club – Clubhouse
The Academy
The golf academy at Kings Acre includes:
Driving Range (floodlit) – 30 covered bays
Six target greens – laser measured, from the bays to the green
Three water features/hazards & 10 bunkers
2 teaching studios
A separate short game practice area to the left of the driving range
4 hole, par 3 course for juniors
Opening times during the summer –
Mon – Fri 8am to 9pm
Sat – Sun 7am to 8pm
The Course
The clubhouse is where both the outward and inward halves head off from and the conservatory area has great views of those teeing off from the 10th and those approaching the 18th green.
The course is just over 6,000 yards and plays to a par 70. It has four par 5s, six par 3s and eight par 4s – only one of the par 4s is over 400 yards and only two of the par 3s are over 200 yards.
The ground is undulating throughout, with some gentle climbs here and there. The only severe elevation changes are at holes 15 to 17, where you’ll want to conserve some energy for the climb back up the 17th.
Kings Acre golf course is a fair test of golf. It has plenty trees and well placed bunkers, in its armoury, but the large contoured greens will also present a real challenge to all levels of golfers.
Holes
The standout holes for me are at the par 5 third, which at 554 yards, you’ll hope the prevailing wind from the west is helping. There are 7 bunkers all around the green, so your approach will take a bit of planning.
The ninth hole, Tom’s Track, has OB on the left and fairway bunkers on the right. Get a good drive away and your second will be fairly straight forward, to a subtly sloping green.
The par 3 eleventh is a great hole, over a traditional stone built wall to a raised green with three bunkers on the left hand side, with no margin for error on the right. It’s 188 yards but plays a bit longer as you’re playing uphill.
Kings Acre Golf Club – par 3, 11th hole over the wall
By the time you complete the 14th hole, you can’t allow your concentration to lapse, as you have three potential card wreckers ahead of you at 15, 16 & 17. It’s not so much length that you have to focus on here, but more keeping the ball in play!
Kings Acre Golf Club – 14th hole
The 15th is a 497 par 5. You tee off from a great, elevated tee position but it is a sharp dog leg to the right, with out of bounds running all the way down the right hand side.
The 16th is a long par 3 that requires accuracy and the 17th is a short dog leg right par 4 where a safe tee shot will leave you an uphill second to the green.
Kings Acre Golf Club – 18th green
Kings Acre welcomes visitors and members alike and positively encourages those who haven’t played for a while (or at all) to come along and use their Midlothian facilities.
Accommodation
Kings Acre also has a cottage that can be rented out and it sits on the course, only minutes from the clubhouse. This is an ideal base for playing golf and exploring the area. Website details here: https://www.kings-acregolf.com/accommodation
Today’s date, the 7th March, is an important date for Scottish Golf and, in the year 1744, the date was certainly a stepping stone in Scotland becoming known as The Home of Golf .
How did golf in Scotland start?
Games involving balls being hit with bent or curved sticks/clubs had been played for centuries throughout the world, dating well beyond Christianity and written records. So we Scots can hardly lay claim to inventing stick and ball games – but what about golf?
The Romans had a game called Paganica or Cambuca, which involved using a bent stick to hit a stuffed ball to an allocated target. The Romans may well have played it in Scotland, whilst they were here and some form of the game may have remained.
Others suggest that from the 10th century AD, the Chinese played a game called Chuiwan. The point of this game was to hit a ball to a flag/hole. It was, perhaps, Mongolian traders who brought it over to Europe.
Scots would have played the Dutch game of Kolf in their early trading with Holland. The French claim the origins of golf came from their games Chole and Jue de Mail à la Chicane amongst others.
Let’s not forget that Shinty has been played in Scotland for 2000 years. Any Shinty player would have the eye/skill for the game of golf.
Nobody can confirm which of these club/stick & ball games were the exact origins of golf. However, we can be fairly sure that some of them had an influence in the early evolution of the Scottish game.
When was the game first played in Scotland?
What we do know is that there is evidence of golf being played in the 15th century. The first mention of golf being played was in 1457, when James II banned both golf and football through an Act of Parliament. Both these games interfered with archery practice and military training.
It is likely that this reference to golf may have had different meanings for those living in towns and for those living in the country. Additionally, the Act is more likely to have applied to the lower classes and less so to the upper classes.
There would have been several forms of golf. One form on the open country spaces and the coastal links land where a golf hole may have stretched 400 yards or longer. Another form would be a shortened game in the tight spaces of church courtyards and the narrow streets of the towns. This is where a lot of damage and injuries would occur.
At the time, there was no definition of what a golf hole was, nor was there a defined number of holes per round. There were no courses, as we know them today, nor were there any rules, other than the golfer, who took the least amount of strokes, won the hole. The game was nothing more than an unregulated pastime, played in several different formats.
Over the 16th & 17th centuries the game developed throughout the open spaces, on the outskirts of towns but particularly on the links land along the east coast of Scotland. Golf courses, albeit only 3-6 holes at a time, were beginning to crop up across the country.
What was the Turning Point that defined golf as a Scottish game and Scotland as The Home of Golf?
By the turn of the 18th century, the game of golf was becoming very popular. It was becoming clear that the Scottish climate and links land terrain was ideal for the game. Golf was beginning to develop, as clubs started to form and competition started to grow.
In 1744 The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links asked the Edinburgh town council for a prize for an annual golf competition on the links. It would appear that these Edinburgh golfers had been jealous of the archers who had been presented with a silver arrow for competition by the town council in 1709.
Leith Links today
The Edinburgh town council presented the golfers with a silver golf club to be played for over Leith Links. This was on the understanding that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links set down rules that would govern the game of golf. The event was to be the first ever ‘open’ golf competition worldwide, played under the first rules of golf.
It was on the 7th March 1744 that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links became the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ and they created the first 13 rules of golf (above). John Rattray, who won the first annual competition, signed off these rules, as captain. The ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ later became the ‘Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ and now reside and play over Muirfield in East Lothian.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ plaque on the cairn at Leith Links
The fact that rules were drawn up was very important for the development of the game. It ensured regulation and set the benchmark for the game moving forward. These rule would form the basis of the modern game and ultimately lead to Scotland being viewed as The Home of Golf.
The Cairn at Leith Links
All that remains of golf on Leith Links today is a cairn with 3 commemorative plaques on it. The first shows the layout of the 5 holes of that first competition. The second plaque commemorating 250 years of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers 1744-1994 and a third plaque simply stating Leith Links The Home of Golf and a short description of the events of 1744.
THE HOME OF GOLF – A plaque commemorating the first rules of golf that formed the basis for the modern game.
274 years after the first rules of golf were drawn up at Leith Links, The Leith Rules Golf Society are marking the event, in the summer of 2018. They will unveil a bronze cast statue of John Rattray, surgeon, archer, winner of the first ‘open’ golf competition, captain of the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ and the gentleman golfer who signed off the first 13 rules of golf in 1744.
[Update as at 31 August 2018 – The Leith Rules Golf Society has moved back the unveiling of the John Rattray statue to 2019]
Whilst the precise origins of the game of golf are unclear, there can be no doubt that these first 13 rules of golf have their place in Golfing History. The signing of these rules, at Leith Links on the 7th March 1744, helped pave the way for Scotland to, not only develop the modern game of golf, but also be recognised as The Home of Golf.
The course layout at Leith Links in the 18th century
The Leith Rules Golf Society
The Leith Rules Golf Society has been fundraising for a statue of John Rattray to be located at the original first hole of Leith Links. It is hoped that the unveiling of this statue will be held in the summer of 2018.
Free entry to European Tour event plus play Royal Dornoch for half price & a free meal!
Lots happening in October, it really is a great month to come to Scotland. Not only will you save money on travel and accommodation costs, but some golf courses have started to reduce their green fees as well – you may need an extra layer of clothes though!
Here are a handful of events that we have picked out for October:
Wigtown is a traditional market town, set in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. It is also Scotland’s National Book Town. There are only a few days left of this year’s festival but taking part this week are Chris Brookmyre, Judy Murray, Roy Hattersley, Martin Bell, Gavin Esler, Jeremy Bowen and Mairi Hedderwick
Golf courses to play, if you are in the area, are: https://wigtownshirecountygolfclub.com (M-F £32/$43/€37), possibly one of the flatter courses you will play. On the following courses at PortPartrick Golf Club (after 230pm £30/$40/€34) & Stranraer Golf Club (from 16 Oct £20/$26/€23) you will have some fantastic views.
As this show is in the evening, you won’t be missing out on any golf. The Enchanted Forest is renowned for being Scotland’s premier sound and light experience and attracted over 70,000 visitors in 2016. Tickets are selling fast and with less that 1,000 tickets available, the event will be sold out soon.
The Enchanted Forest team won the ‘Best Cultural Event in the UK’ at the UK Event Awards in London in December 2016.
If you decide to stay in or around Pitlochry for this event, then the golf courses to play in the area are Pitlochry GC – if you can play on a Wednesday its only £15/$20/€17 otherwise its £30/$40/€34 – it’s a short but challenging 18 hole course. It’s hilly but that means you will have some great views. Along the road, you will be equally delighted with a different challenge at the excellent 9 hole course at Blair Atholl Golf Club (£24/$32/€28 for 18 holes).
You may want to plan your trip around the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship that runs from 5 – 8 October this year. This European Tour event is played over St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie. Entry is free on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday but there is a £20 fee on the final day (Sunday) at St Andrews.
There are too many golf courses to mention them all in one post, but if you’re staying near Kingsbarns then you must try and play Balcomie Links at Crail where the weekend green fee reduces from £85 to £47/$63/€54. Further around the coast you will find the excellent links course at Elie – green fees are currently w/d £77 & w/e £88 but these reduce to w/d £45/$60/€51 & w/e £48/$65/€55 from 16 October.
If you are staying north of Carnoustie then book Arbroath Golf Course where you will get a round of golf, soup and sandwich for £20/$26/€23. Moving a little further north, the medal course at Montrose Golf Links £50/$67/€57 won’t disappoint.
Famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines including Gaelic music and song, highland dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and literature.
If you are attending Royal National Mòd then why not get along to Fort William Golf Club (£30/$40/€34) – it is an 18 hole course nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain). The Course measures 6217 yards off the white tees, 5464 yards off the yellow tees and 4850 yards off the Ladies tees.
Now in its 3rd year, The Dornoch Whisky Festival is an opportunity to learn about and savour malt whiskies in the beautiful location of Dornoch in the North Highlands of Scotland. A festival programme can be view on their website above.
An opportunity, not to be missed, is that you have the chance to play Royal Dornoch on Sunday 30 Oct for half price. Royal Dornoch needs little introduction but it is without a doubt one of Scotland’s finest courses.
The normal rate in October is listed as £130 but for the Stableford Competition, as part of the Dornoch Whisky Festival, the fee has been reduced to £65 plus a coffee and bacon roll before the round, a course planner, souvenir bag tag and a whisky miniature with a one-course meal after the golf – the event is open to both men and women who have an official CoNGU handicap – now that’s a great deal but book soon!
Tain Golf Club state on their website that if you play on a Tuesday or a Thursday after 2pm the green fee reduces to £25/€29/$34 – this will give you just enough daylight to get round throughout October.
It was on the 7th March 1744 that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links changed their name to the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’. This group of golfers created the first 13 rules of golf (above). John Rattray, who won the first annual competition, signed off these rules, as captain. The ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ later became the ‘Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ who now reside at Muirfield in East Lothian, Scotland.
Today’s date, the 7th March, is an important date for Scottish Golf and, in the year 1744, the date was certainly a stepping stone in Scotland becoming known as The Home of Golf .
An opportunity, not to be missed, is that you have the chance to play 