My favourite nine holer!

Durness has been a spot I have visited since my early life, every April for a family holiday. Although my visits in adult life have become infrequent I still remember the course at Durness with vivid images of the challenges the course throws up.

1st
The opening hole is a dogleg up the hill, the skill being to land the ball far up enough from the tee so it holds its position allowing an easy short iron in to the elevated green. The views back over the bay are exceptional and may prove a distraction the first few times it is played.
2nd
This hole is a gentle dog leg, easy from the tee but a difficult green to catch.
3rd
This hole drops over the hill, the long drive being rewarded as the ball is sure to run out down the hill. The green is positioned with a hill either side and trouble through the back.
4th
A very tricky tee shot to what looks to be a very narrow fairway, although there is more room off to the left than it appears. The whole right side of this hole is trouble. The second stage of the hole is somewhat of a flattened crest, with trouble either side, I always feel an extra club into the green is improtant.
5th
A great hole, with the elevated tee and the split fairway, around what can only be described as a lump! Do not go through the back of this green, only doom awaits there.
6th
An outstanding risk and reward hole, a canal/pond on the fairway needs to be avoided, whilst making sure your ball ends up as close to the loch and as far up as possible....this leaves a fantastic shot over the loch, or an easy lay-up, depending on the wind and the level of confidence.
7th
A stunning par 3, simply difficult, a small green and the norm of a cross wind, this is a real challenge, I have played a 7-iron and made it, I have played a driver and made it, this hole is very, very exposed.
8th
An excellent par 4 which takes full benefit of the the infinity pool effect. The tee shot, straight back to the bay makes you feel like you can run out of fairway, the same is true with the second shot. The green is very difficult to catch, with the large drop and the hard conditions, good placement and allowing the ball to run on might be best.
9th
This is a world class par 3, over the cove, at hight tide you can be playing over the ocean. Look out for a special tee, it sits back at over 200 yards and makes the hole an absolute beast. The small and hard green needs to see your ball, as anything short risks rolling back onto the rocks below.

Overall
A rugged Northern golf course, the furthest north on the mainland, don't expect it to be perfectly manicured, this isn't what this course is about. The local members are usually excellent and very welcoming, the green keeper does a sterling job. Get up here and play, you wont regret it.