Playing golf in the UK and Ireland can often feel like an alien experience to those making their maiden voyage to the isles. Whipping wind, baked-out links turf, stone walls, bushy heather, and the dreaded ‘pot’ bunkers are all features that feel inherently unique to the courses that can be found here.
And if that wasn’t enough, there are a few splendid courses featuring sheep that graze the land and are as much a part of the course as the fairways and greens. Before your mind spontaneously combusts as you think about something like that happening at your local Country Club, it should be said that the relationship between livestock and golf has been intertwined from the beginning.
When golf started to take hold some 500+ years ago in Scotland and England, many of golf’s first courses were laid out on what is known as ‘Common’ land. This meant that no one group had ownership, but merely had rights to its use. And so from St Andrews to Wimbledon, golf was a game that shared its land with everyone from fishermen to farmers.
And how fortuitous this relationship was. For the farmer’s sheep ate the grass, which kept the playing surfaces short, and when an approaching storm was on the horizon, these little furry friends would hunker down into scrapes within natural hillocks, which became the formations of the very first bunkers.
This harmonious relationship between golf and livestock thrived for years, and while most courses are now retained solely for golf, there are a number of notable exceptions. How lucky we are that these exceptions exist, for there are few better experiences than golf accompanied by sheep. Their effortless lifestyle seems infectious and makes the worries of today gently fly away with the passing breeze.
So what are these beacons of yesteryear where livestock and golf go together like PB&J? Below are five that would do well to feature on any golf itinerary. They may be a little scruffy around the edges, but any issues you have with the greenkeeping will likely be met with a resounding ‘Baaaaa’.
Probably the first course that comes to mind when you think about sheep and golf is the brilliant little Brora. A true links course that resides in the North of Scotland (not far from Royal Dornoch), this course is a magnificent mix of half-par holes and interesting green complexes. Mix in a plethora of sheep and cattle, and you have one of the purest golf experiences in Scotland.
Located on the tiny western Scottish Isle of Iona, this course will take two ferries to get to. But those adventurous enough for the journey will find one of the most breathtaking courses. Snugged next to the sea on the far side of the island, Iona has a green fee of exactly £1 and is maintained by the livestock that inhabit the land (plus a few generous locals!). If you ever wonder what golf was like 200 years ago, a stroll around Iona would give you a pretty good idea.
More affectionately known as ‘Westward Ho!’ (one must never forget the exclamation point!), the links here are as exhilarating as it gets. Playing alongside our woolly wonders, and even the occasional horse, you will encounter blind shots, rumpled fairways, and sleeper-tie faced bunkers that will live in the memory long after you’ve forgotten your score.
One of the most majestic 9-hole courses, the greens here need to be seen to be believed. Located in a sleepy little village in County Mayo, on the West Coast of Ireland, this course ditches the frills and focuses on genuinely great golf. Tom Doak tells the story of how he was driving by and commented ‘that land would be perfect for golf’, only to realise that it was already home to Mulranny Golf Course.
There is far away, and then there are the Outer Hebrides. Located off the West Coast of Scotland, South Uist is home to Askernish, a lost Old Tom Morris course that was rediscovered a few years ago and lovingly put back together by Martin Ebert and a few locals. In addition to being a contender for a World Top 100 golf course, it is about as remote of a course as you can play. But don’t worry, your loneliness will be replaced by tranquillity as you see sheep grazing unfazed, just as they have for centuries.
This feature was written by Tim Gallant. An American living in Scotland, Tim has played many of the world’s finest courses and brings a unique perspective to the game. He is a member at North Berwick and a regular contributor to the Golf Club Atlas website.
Interested in a golf trip taking in some of these iconic golf clubs? Contact golf@outpostoverseas.com and start planning your perfect golf trip.
