 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| Home Scottish Links Golf The Basics Detailed information AFSD - how to determine the real length of a golf course Helpful Websites Platinum Page Upscale golfing products & services Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay... Ayrshire Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick... Northern Highlands Boat of Garten Brora Castle Stuart Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golspie Grantown-on-Spey Moray Nairn Nairn Dunbar Royal Dornoch Strathpeffer Tain Just east of Edinburgh Scotland's Golf Coast NorthBerwick, Muirfield, Gullane... St. Andrews area Other golf courses Machrihanish, Pitlochry... Links Lite Great links golf for the not-so-great golfer Donate What others say |
Bonar Bridge Ardgay© Bonar Bridge is an example of what it means to be an independent golfer traveling in Scotland ... a great price at a fun little golf course most visitors never heard of and will never see.
Bring your camera as well as your clubs Any golf course located so close to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club will suffer in comparison to that great jewel. In fact, I would choose to play a number of courses within 30 miles before playing Bonar Bridge -- courses likeTain and Golspie and Brora, for example. But having said that, I must also say I really enjoyed playing Bonar Bridge. It's not another links course in a land of great links courses, but a 9-hole heathland layout that weaves in and out of woods and hills and dales and lochs. Surrounded by the stillness of nature, the only sounds are the haunting call of an occasional cuckoo bird, the wind in the trees, the swish of a golf club and crack of a ball. This, together with buzzards and osprey winging thru the tall pines and mist-covered hills in the background creates an almost magical experience that relaxes the body and refreshes the soul. Playing Bonar Bridge was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. And price-wise, this has to be one of the best bargains in Scotland.
Bonar Bridge is an ideal course to play if you haven't had enough golf for a day and are looking for a second play or if you want to share a round with a high-handicapper who is intimidated by Royal Dornoch. It may seem short at 5,600 yards but with a par of 68 (SSS 65) the average fairway stroke distance (AFSD) is a respectable 175 yards. That's only 7 yards per shot less than the Old Course at St. Andrews, which has an AFSD of 182 yards. And if it weren't for three short par 3s, the average would be much higher. Speaking of the par 3s, they are wonderful little holes, the last one of which plays downhill to a green with a pond lurking behind patiently waiting for the unfortunate golfer who chooses the wrong iron. There's also a 500 yard dogleg that's as good as any hole in the area. You'll look forward to playing it again on the "back 9."
With the gorgeous scenery, the whispers of wildlife and wind, the wonderfully manicured golf course, and the deceptively challenging holes, golf at Bonar Bridge is a good walk...made even better.
Bona Bridge Ardgay Golf Club has no website, so use the following info... Address = Market Stance - Migdale Rd., Bonar Bridge, Sutherland IV24 3EJ , Scotland Clubhouse Telephone: (0) 1863 766199 Secretary telephone: (0) 1863 766750 email: BonarArdgayGolf@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ What to Do All Day - I recommend walking this lovely 9-hole golf course with your partner, as I did with Richard. It's an easy and exceptionally beautiful walk. Otherwise, see Northern Highlands |
