The Nine-Holers of the West Coast
Oban would be a fine place to stay for the next grouping of four courses, or seven for the really adventurous. These first four are at Dalmally, Taynault, the Isle of Seal and the Links at Eriska. Both Dalmally and Taynuilt are overlooked by the brooding heights of mighty Ben Cruachan.
The jury is still out as to which of these neighbouring courses is the best – truth to say they are both outstanding.
Apart from many water hazards there is a wealth of wildlife at Dalmally and birds of prey, herons and otters can all be seen, while a rare pine martin has also been spotted. Taynuilt is a challenging parkland course enjoying views up Loch Etive. It has been claimed that the ninth is one of the best holes anywhere – on any course.
A trip to the Isle of Seil is always rewarding. The journey leads across the romantic Bridge over the Atlantic. This is a challenging coastal layout with the rank amongst the finest in the world. The locals know to keep their heads down from the view to avoid adding strokes to their handicap.
The seventh is a truly wonderful par three across a gully to a small green with a rocky outcrop at the back. The tee shot needs to be pinpoint accurate.
Another ferry trip awaits the adventurous golfer to the low-lying isle of Tiree, famous as the wind surfing capital of the world. Equally noteworthy is Vaul golf course, laid out by the navy in 1886. In the springtime the machair is alive with wild flowers scattered across the fairways which can mean finding the ball is a real challenge.
A stay in or around historic Fort William offers access to more fine nine-holers. A few miles to the east is the lovely Spean Bridge course hiding behind the railway station. Situated on gently sloping ground beneath Ben Nevis there are few facilities, but the course is in fine condition.
The eighth hole is undoubtedly the most difficult and is described by a member as being a ‘rascal of a hole’. Trees to the right of the fairway appear to drag a loose tee shot inexorably in that direction.
Further east still is Fort Augustus, a course bounded on one side by Scots pines lining the Caledonian Canal and on the other by the heather and gorse covered Glengarry Mountains. Two sets of tees mean an outward half is very different to the homeward half.
On the road to Mallaig to the west of Fort William nestles the gorgeous Traigh nine-holer, described by one newspaper as probably ‘ the most beautifully sited nine-hole golf course in the world’.
Only the members of Tobermory would disagree. The views embrace the cocktail islands of Rum and Eigg and the Cuillin mountains of Skye.
This links course has attracted many famous players and lots of recent publicity when a sink hole appeared on a fairway; damage which should now be totally repaired.
The last nine-holer in this group is Dragons Tooth at Ballachulish named after the dramatic hill towering over the course.
A favourite hole is the ninth played over a burn, through a stand of trees to a small green close to the welcoming clubhouse.
At the northern extremity of this trip through nine-hole heaven are the final three courses at Lochcarron, Gairloch and Ullapool where a stay at Mallaig would be a convenient centre for all of them.
A beachside course which de- mands some care where it plays across the main road, Lochcarron is a shortish but demanding course where several of the holes play around an ancient church.
About a mile south of the village the Gairloch course is another with stunning views to the south and west.
Wildlife on show can include the occasional sea eagle, seals, minke whales, porpoise, dolphin and red and roe deer.
This should not be a distraction as, with several fairways crossing each other, it is best to be alert for shouts of ‘fore’.
The friendly clubhouse not only stocks The Nine-Holer Guide but has fine food during the season together with changing rooms, and club and trolley hire.
Finally the journey ends at Ullapool where one of the newer nine-holers in Scotland was opened by that most famous of royal golfers HRH Prince Andrew, in 1998.
Laid out along the banks of Loch Broom, extensive views carry the eye to the Summer Isles. This is a gorse and parkland layout with 18 tees playing to nine greens.
The 16 nine-hole courses featured here offer the most inspiring collection of courses in a relatively small area anywhere in the world.
There is only one thing to do now. Go there. Play them.
It is essential that they are more than just a best kept secret.