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Have you played Arran yet?

Author Holiday Arran

It is a common question among well-travelled golfers – Have you played Arran yet?

The Isle of Arran boasts the greatest number of golf courses per population in the world and has become known for its challenging but fair courses that are all open to non members. The island’s seven picturesque courses reflect the beauty and diversity of the whole island and, with an island population of around 4,700, there is one course to every 671 islanders.
You would not be surprised then, to see the fairways and greens filled every summer with golf enthusiasts from around the world. And, outwith the regular tourist season, every club boasts a healthy membership.

Arran boasts golf courses where golden eagles fly overhead, seals bask on seashore rocks and red deer graze the fairways. The golf courses are comfortably spaced round the coast of the island, each in its own way complimenting the landscape, enjoying and providing a never ending panorama of exquisite sea and mountain views. In common with the rest of the UK, the seven golf courses have been continuously upgraded over the past ten or fifteen years and collectively provide the full range of features any golfer might expect to play in a lifetime. All the courses have their own quirks and character, from the scenic courses at Corrie and Lochranza, to the hustle and bustle of Brodick and Whiting Bay golf clubs.

…there is one course to every 671 islanders

There is also a special 12-hole course at Shiskine, which is listed among the 100 best courses by a national golfing magazine. The Isle of Arran, known as the jewel in Scotland’s crown, lies off the south-west coast of Scotland. The Island is 23 miles from north to south, 11 miles from east to west, 56 miles all the way round the coast, and rises from sea level to the top of Goatfell Mountain at just over 1,000 metres.

Arran is also regarded as a Scotland in miniature because of its undulating hills and rocky peaks in the north, to the busier, but geographically flatter, southern end. While most of the courses are found in the southern half of the island, the north-based courses are worth a round or two for the scenery alone. The setting of Lochranza Golf Course is idyllic. Steep mountain slopes surround three sides with the fourth opening to the Kilbrannan Sound. Playing Lochranza, it is difficult not to be distracted by the scenery and the wildlife as it seems the course is designed to be as much an entertaining walk, as it is a challenging game of golf. In terms of playing golf, the fact that it looks a simple golf course can be deceiving.

The Island is 23 miles from north to south, 11 miles from east to west, 56 miles all the way round the coast, and rises from sea level to the top of Goatfell Mountain at just over 1,000 metres.

The pretty nine-hole course at Corrie is famed for its views. Set beneath towering granite peaks, it is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The course is situated seven miles north of the main ferry port, Brodick, and, with green fees of £8 per round during the week and £8 for a weekend day ticket, is worth the journey. However, if you cannot get to Corrie, there is an 18-hole course in Brodick, accessible to all ages and abilities, just a short walk from the ferry.

Unlike the island’s other courses, the entire Brodick course is set at sea level. From its opening hole, the longest par four on the course, to its three tough cross-water par threes, tricky dogleg par five and deceptive par fours at the turn, it presents challenges and obstacles which are great to take on. Further down the east coast of the island, and a three-mile drive from Brodick, is Lamlash Golf Club. The course, recently named as one of Scotland’s top 100 golfing gems, can be seen from the road and is a delightful 18-hole, par 64.

Although quite short in distance, measuring at some 4,640 yards, it offers a serious challenge for golfers of all abilities, an example of this lies in the fact it has many long par threes, including two measuring over 220 yards. Set on the hillside above the village, there are some spectacular views overlooking the Clyde Estuary and the Ayrshire coast, including famous courses such as Royal Troon & Turnberry. Whiting Bay is one of the most popular courses on the island and is a 20-minute drive from the Brodick ferry.

Unlike the island’s other courses, the entire Brodick course is set at sea level.

Like Lamlash, it is situated on a hillside with superb panoramic views across to Holy Isle and the mainland coast. Visitors are make to feel very welcome and can enjoy inexpensive golf on what is a scenically beautiful course. The wild west of Arran features two traditional summer season courses that now have all-year-round appeal. The well-run Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club is open for play all year round, weather permitting.

In 1997 Golf Monthly magazine voted Shiskine the 77th best course in the UK and Ireland and in the past two years this 12-hole course has been ranked in the top 100 courses in Britain. Machrie Bay Golf Club is a small but interesting nine-hole course situated 12 miles from Brodick in the village of Machrie. The first hole here has one of the narrowest fairways on the island with the beach on one side and the road on the other.

All seven clubs have joined together to create the Arran Golf Pass giving one round on each golf course. This offer is aimed at first time visitors to the island, though equally available to returning visitors, inviting them to sample these delightful golf courses set among some of the most unspoiled scenery and amazing range of wild life to be found in Europe. For more information visit club websites or telephone:

Lochranza Golf Club Tel: 01770 830 273
Lamlash Golf Club Tel: 01770 600 296
Machrie Bay Golf Club Tel: 01770 840 213
Shiskine Golf &Tennis Club Tel: 01770 860 487
Whiting Bay Golf Club Tel: 01770 700 487
Brodick Golf Club Tel: 01770 302349
Corrie Golf Club Tel: 01770 810606

All seven clubs have joined together to create the Arran Golf Pass giving one round on each golf course.