Argyll and Clyde Golf Trip

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Doing initial planning for a 10 day golf trip for self and three mates. Want to give guys a flavour of Scottish golf and of the Scotland of this part of the world. My starter fior ten is:

Ayrshire Coast - Largs
Cumbrae - Millport
Arran - Shiskine and Brodick
Kintyre - Machrihanish (Old) and Carradale
Islay - Machrie
Cowal - Dunoon/Cowal

And maybe on way back to Glasgow finish off at my old course East Renfrewshire for a taste of James Braid moorland golf. And possibly pop up to Oban after Cowal but probably too much of a round trip.

So you see - I want a real mix - where the course may not be that fantastic let's have real feeling for playing in Scotland and have fun. Did the same a few years ago for a Perthshire tour. Other than Blairgowrie Rosemount, I avoided Gfleneagles and the championship courses nearby in Fife. So we did Rosemount, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dunkeld and Birnam, Aberfeldy, Comrie, Taymouth Castle. Those of you who know these tracks will get what I'm after. But we can spend a bit more than we did that time.

Budget will limit at least two of us so if I have Machrie and Machrihanish I have to ease back on big Ayrshire links courses - so no Turnberry, Troon, Prestwich, Western Gailes unless I can get reasons to REALLY justify one of these.

But this is a stake in the ground. All thoughts and suggestions welcome.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

For some of the best views in Scottish golf at decent green fees why not consider either my old track Gourock or Greenock which has 27 holes? I'd say both of them are better than Cowal.

 

[IanG]

For some of the best views in Scottish golf at decent green fees why not consider either my old track Gourock or Greenock which has 27 holes? I'd say both of them are better than Cowal.

Agreed, I grew up as a brat hacking round the the 9-holer at Greenock GC every day in the summer but not really appreciating how amazing the views from up there are. Gourock is great too.

From your list i'd sacrifice all the rest for the Machrie, Machrihanish and Shiskine.

Your list involves quite a bit of travelling, so frankly I'd avoid some car/ferry miles and and play some courses more than once.

Have fun whatever you decide.

Ian

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Rothesay is short but has amazing views.
Ferry route looks as if it could be an interesting holiday without the golf!
Skelmorlie/Colintraive/Portavadie/Tarbet/Lochranza/Tarbet/Port Ellen perhaps?

 

[Val]

When do you plan coming up?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

For some of the best views in Scottish golf at decent green fees why not consider either my old track Gourock or Greenock which has 27 holes? I'd say both of them are better than Cowal.

many thanks Sir - just the sort of guidance I'm looking for. Will have a look at their websites. I've not played Cowal - just plucked it out of the air as a possibility for that sort of area and it's on an 'island' (nearly). Gourock and Greenock are distinct possibilities. What about Rothesay?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Rothesay is short but has amazing views.
Ferry route looks as if it could be an interesting holiday without the golf!
Skelmorlie/Colintraive/Portavadie/Tarbet/Lochranza/Tarbet/Port Ellen perhaps?

Hadn't done the logistics but something like that. We want to do a mix of golf and touring.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

When do you plan coming up?

No plan yet - maybe late September.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I sense a voters v's non-voters challenge match in the air!

 

[Bobirdie]

Dont play cowal. The course is always sodden. Think its only a 17 holer now.

Rothesay is not too bad as stated good views but i would prefer to play gourock or have a look at mar hall aswell. Its around 25 mins from gourock.

 

[Dodger]

Rothesay is short but has amazing views.
Ferry route looks as if it could be an interesting holiday without the golf!
Skelmorlie/Colintraive/Portavadie/Tarbet/Lochranza/Tarbet/Port Ellen perhaps?

I would say that if you had the time and were really wanting Machrahanish a beautiful way of getting there is this route but for Skelmorlie read Wemyss Bay as your starting point.

Not only would you enjoy your golf but you would also love the travel as the boats would break up the driving and the scenery is simply stunning.

Only problem comes if it is windy enough for the ferries to be disrupted.

 

[williamalex1]

I have car and passenger tickets for the Dunoon/Gourock ferry, if there any good to you can have them free.:swing:hogan

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Steady on Alex, a Scotsman giving something away..............FREE.
Some of us have a reputation to uphold you know.

 

[williamalex1]

Steady on Alex, a Scotsman giving something away..............FREE.
Some of us have a reputation to uphold you know.

Sorry for letting the side down Doon , but he is a ex pat.:cheers: