We absolutely love and revere 9-hole golf courses. They might just be the most underrated type of layout in the game.
These are typically venues that are integral parts of their communities, they are often found in rural locations, and their design makes the most of limited acreage to create something memorable that is also ideally suited for an adaptable lifestyle where perhaps you don't always have the time to play 18 holes.
Given that many of these places will have limited budgets and manpower working on them, all of those resources can helpfully be concentrated on a course that is half the size of what is generally considered to be the standard.
Keen to uncover more destinations that should interest golfers who are more adventurous at heart, we received more than 600 comments on Facebook from people who kindly recommended layouts that you ought to play, showcasing a range of 9-hole courses that are among the best you could experience anywhere.
Several of these were repeatedly mentioned above the rest, which was an elite selection we shared in this feature article - 10 of the best 9-hole golf courses you simply must play - but there were other recurring golfing jewels that we couldn't ignore.
What you also realise is that so many of these courses are in Scotland, quite often found in remote locations and islands. You may think of Scottish golf as being about the legendary, classic links of St Andrews, East Lothian and Ayrshire, but these 9-hole courses demonstrate just how much depth there really is beneath the surface in the home of golf.
Some of us are already studying Google Maps to plan how exactly several of these could be ticked off in a single, unforgettable and exciting trip.
It's time to reveal even more of the 9-hole courses that every golfer should play!
Traigh Golf Course
Location: Arisaig, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Review Comment: "A stunning setting and challenging 9 hole course with an amazing backdrop. Greens are a little small but interesting. Well set up course, very quiet."
Blairgowrie Wee Course
Location: Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.9
Review Comment: "Bags of character to the course, a very fair test of golf, beautiful surroundings and a fabulous clubhouse."
Blair Atholl Golf Club
Location: Blair Atholl, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Review Comment: "Had a great day out, Fantastic 9 hole course ,well worth a visit, if you are in that area."
Reigate Heath Golf Club
Location: Reigate, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.0
Review Comment: "Was there a stand out hole? No! Was there a weak hole? No! Nine greens, 18 tees and being on heathland I presume the fairways will remain in the same condition throughout the year. When we played the greens were in great condition, firm but not fiery, a properly struck shot would respond."
Carrbridge Golf Club
Location: Carrbridge, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Review Comment: "What a great course, a real challenge and what makes it so great are the stunning views of the Highlands, operate a honesty box during winter which allows you to just turn up and play, course kept in very good condition and the greens are superb."
Portmahomack Golf Club
Location: Portmahomack, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Review Comment: "Great little challenge, when we played we had the course to ourselves, in great condition and a challenge as you would expect from a links course."
Burnham & Berrow Channel Course
Location: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Golfshake Rating: 4.9
Review Comment: "Great challenge, great welcome and love links golf - this was a fine example and in good condition."
Carradale Golf Club
Location: Carradale, Argyll & Bute
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Review Comment: "Fabulous nine hole course with fabulous views. Lots of interesting holes and a challenge to all golfers. A must play course - very friendly club - welcomes visitors."
Killin Golf Club
Location: Killin, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Review Comment: "First time at this course, warm welcome, staff very friendly, course in very good condition. Well worth a visit. Would come again if back in the area."
Leeds Castle Golf Club
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 3.8
Review Comment: "Lovely scenery overlooking Leeds Castle but without the tourists. Course in good condition. Staff always friendly and happy to help."
Tarland Golf Club
Location: Tarland, Aberdeenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Review Comment: "This course is beautifully maintained. The layout is interesting, challenging and hugely enjoyable. I recommend an evening round on a summer evening when the sun is setting over the surrounding hills. A perfect setting."
St Medan Golf Club
Location: Monreith, Dumfries & Galloway
Golfshake Rating: 3.7
Review Comment: "Really well presented and maintained course. Tough on the legs but well worth the effort."
Bonar Bridge & Ardgay Golf Club
Location: Bonar Bridge, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Review Comment: "Played the course today and can only praise its condition. It's many years since I played there and it was an absolute pleasure to stroll along the excellent fairways and putt on the super greens. It's a credit to the greenstaff and the management of the club."
Selkirk Golf Club
Location: Selkirk, Borders
Golfshake Rating: 3.3
Review Comment: "The course itself was in very good condition, with a lovely fairway and smooth greens. There are some pretty holes too, with the dogleg 5th probably my favourite (even if it didn't do me any favours). The par 5 8th and par 3 9th were also very lovely."
Bute Golf Club
Location: Kingarth, Isle of Bute
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Review Comment: "Amazing! This is an incredible course for £20. It is right by the sea. The first three holes are the best. The first starts from a slight rise next to the dimunitive clubhouse, before the second takes you down to the shoreline. Then the third hole is where you tee off along side the beach. The remaining holes are not so scenic, but still nice."
Isle of Harris Golf Club
Location: Scarista, Isle of Harris
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Review Comment: "Simply stunning location - have not played in a more picturesque setting."
Gairloch Golf Club
Location: Gairloch, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Review Comment: "The course is stunning and so pretty. Well done to the groundsmen for keeping the fairways and greens in such top condition. We live in Surrey and wish we had this course on our doorstep. We bumped into members every day who were very friendly. Honesty box for playing in the winter and the best £10 per person per round that we spent. You must go."
Helmsdale Golf Club
Location: Helmsdale, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: N/A
Review Comment: N/A
Dunecht House Golf Club
Location: Westhill, Aberdeenshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.8
Review Comment: "Testing 9 holes where second round is never the same! Very scenic and kept in very good condition."
Muthill Golf Club
Location: Muthill, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 3.8
Review Comment: "Really nice little course near Gleneagles. The course is not too testing but it is fun to play and definitely worth a visit if you want a quick round one evening."
Milnathort Golf Club
Location: Milnathort, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Review Comment: "Enjoyed this course. Greens in very good condition. Can get a bit crowded on the tees when it’s busy as it’s only 9 holes."
Maybole Golf Club
Location: Maybole, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Review Comment: "Gem of a course. Fantastic views, greenkeeping staff have done brilliant.
Machynlleth Golf Club
Location: Machynlleth, Powys
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Review Comment: "Probably the best 9 hole course in Wales. I played on Saturday in mixed weather and the course was in great condition and with a reasonable pace of play considering how busy the course was. Afterwards we enjoyed a drink in the excellent bar with great service."
Barra Golf Club
Location: Cleat, Isle of Barra
Golfshake Rating: N/A
Review Comment: N/A
Royal Household Golf Club
Location: Windsor, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.5
Review Comment: "Lovely 9 hole course in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Not long, but a number of fairways aren't especially wide, and you'll be lucky to find your feet if you go in the rough. The greens are pretty small and in decent condition. The biggest plus is the 'back door' view of the castle at the 4th tee."
Dalmally Golf Club
Location: Dalmally, Argyll & Bute
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Review Comment: "Superb mountainous scenery all around with an interesting and varied golfing challenge with some superb par threes, one over a long pond and another adjacent to a lily pond - it added for me on a journey back from Oban to Perth a new twist to John Betjeman's 'Seaside Golf' poem when I had 'a glorious sailing, bounding drive that made me glad I was alive' with 'splendour, splendour everywhere' in Argyll in the Highlands."
Sutton Bridge Golf Club
Location: Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.9
Review Comment: "Nice course. Enjoyed the round immensely, course played very well considering the weather we've had recently, thanks for the day."
Kingennie Golf Course
Location: Kingennie, Dundee
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Review Comment: "Great course with every hole giving a different challenge. Excellent course with fairways and greens in peak condition."
The quality of these courses is superb, the settings are often fabulous and scenic, the sense of tradition and place is special, and they collectively present the true spirit of what golf should be about.
Which of them are you most keen to experience one day? It's time to start planning your next journey of discovery.
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