Strathaven

Organised golf was first played at Strathaven in 1897 when locals played over a 9-hole course at Brownmuir Farm. Ten years later, Strathaven Golf Club was formed when land at West Overton Farm became available and a new 9-hole course was designed by Willie Fernie, the 1883 Open Champion from Troon.

In the early 1960s, the club purchased an adjacent farm named West Coldstream and an additional nine holes were designed and constructed by John R. Stutt. Many young trees were planted at this time and they have now matured after more than forty years of growth, allowing Strathaven Golf Club to claim to be one of the best parkland tracks in the West of Scotland.

The course has an overall yardage of 6,306 yards with a par of 71. It provides a challenge to golfers of all handicaps or none – low scores will only be made here at Strathaven if skill and judgement are used on the tree-lined holes. If par eludes the golfer and it’s not a day for low figures on the scorecard then the peaceful setting and sensational views of the surrounding Kype Hills will go someway to compensate for this.

There are some wonderfully named holes on the course: “Whaup’s Nest”, “Kype’s Rig” and “Kittle Neuk” to name only three. A further three holes are picked out for closer consideration: “The Sheugh” is the 343-yard, par four, 5th and a tough, right doglegged hole. A brave tee shot played to the left of two bunkers on the right of the fairway will allow a direct shot to the green. A stream to the front and bunkers at the left and the back protects the putting surface.

The 11th hole – “Nutberry” – is the first of four straight par fours on the back nine. It plays as a slight dogleg to the left and a precise tee shot is required to allow a reasonable approach shot to the green. A well-placed bunker thirty yards short left of the putting surface will catch pulled second shots. The final hole, the 408-yard, par four “Spinney” is a great finishing hole. It doglegs left and the safe tee shot is down the right of the fairway, avoiding the spinney on the left. The second shot is played to the largest putting surface on the course. Two large bunkers protect the front left and right of this green.