Hawick

Hawick Golf Club was established in 1877 and boasted a membership of thirteen in its first season. The course on Vertish Hill, just south of Hawick, originally consisted of eleven holes, though it was extended by one hole two years later. It wasn’t until 1894 that a full 18-hole layout came into being. The current length of the course is 5,933 yards, consisting of fourteen par fours and four par threes.

There are some wonderful views to be had from the elevated position of the course and this becomes more evident as the routing rises from the 4th tee on the hole called “Well” then continues around the natural contours of Vertish Hill.

The difficult, 445-yard, par four, 6th hole, named “Hunter” is normally played against the prevailing wind and par is a very good score here. The course then levels out and more or less follows the same contour of the hill for a few holes.

The spectacular views continue until the 390-yard, par four, 11th hole, appropriately called “High” which climbs further up the hill. When the 437-yard, par four, 15th hole, “Gallery” is played, the highest point on the course has been reached and this time the Borders scenery is even more dramatic than before!

From here, the only way is down, with two short par fours “Pit” and “Burgess” played before arriving at the 210-yard, par three, final hole. From an elevated tee position on the 18th, the tee shot has to find a tricky green, located close to the road at the back.

Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Tony Jacklin are all honorary members at Hawick and Faldo holds the professional course record of 64.