Whalsay Golf Club

[Sponge1980]

Whalsay Golf Course is 6152 yards long and has a par of 71. Its located at Skaw Taing on the north end of the island and it is a breathtaking location. The course is the most northerly in the British Isles and large parts of the course run along the coastline which can make it quite exposed if its windy. There is a local rule which allow preferred lies on the fairways all year round as they are not so manicured as most fairways are, but this in no way detracts from the quailty of the course. The 2 stand out holes for me were the 16th and the 18th. Both are played from elevated tees with cliffs cutting into the 16th fairway and the 18th fairway doglegging round a loch.

There is also wildlife all around the course. Large groups of seals can be seen sitting out on the rocks and we even saw 2 otters by the 4th tee. Apparently its also not uncommon to see killer whales from the ferry on the way there.

The hospitality of the members and the locals was like nothing I've ever experienced before and they could not do enough for us while we were there. For pictures of the course here is a link to their website.

http://www.whalsaygolfclub.com/

 

[thecraw]

Looks lovely. That 18th looks really really good, I wouldn't want to be standing on that tee needing birdie for buffer!

 

[Grumps]

And believe me it knows how to blow a howlie up there .
Did you play the course in Lerwick too ?

 

[Sponge1980]

We didnt play the Lerwick course this time but I have played it before. We were playing in a club team competition that is played for bewteen 8 different clubs, with each club taking a turn at hosting it. This year was Whalsay's turn.

 

[Sponge1980]

Looks lovely. That 18th looks really really good, I wouldn't want to be standing on that tee needing birdie for buffer!

Its a great finishing hole. From the mens tee, in a straight line its about 285yds to the front of the green. You can make it with a strong back wind. Apparently when they hosted the Island Games some guy flew the club house with his tee shot. None of the locals were impressed though as it was out of bounds.