This golfer went to Scotland without his clubs

Well, well, well, guess who FINALLY played some golf last week. Yeah, that’s right, this guy did. 

I was joined by my good friend Barry and my coach Sam - plus his brother. 

Those of you that watch a bit of the Golfshake YouTube channel might recognise Sam from the short series I did last year where he featured during one of my lessons - but I know you’re all gagging to find out how it went.

Well, between Sam and myself, one of us was two-under through two after starting 2026 birdie, birdie, and one of us has played in The Open.

In case you’re wondering, I haven’t played in The Open…

So yes, a birdie birdie start - in tricky conditions - and eventually I got to the turn in +1 - which after not playing golf for three weeks and working really hard on my game I was pretty chuffed with. As we got closer to the finish I dropped a few more, especially over the final four holes where the wind picked up and tiredness really kicked in. 

Which Golfer Visits Scotland Without His Clubs?

No golf this week, though, as I am writing this I am actually sitting in a very plush lodge up the side of a mountain on the banks of Loch Ness - just a trip away for the other half’s birthday. I did, however, use the Golfshake app to check out what courses are local - Fort Augustus seems to be the closest, a 9-hole layout - but Cabot Highlands (Formerly Castle Stuart) is only around 40 mins away from here. But I did leave the clubs at home this time so temptation doesn’t get the better of me...

It's quite a strange feeling though, driving to Scotland without my golf clubs. Scotland is a place I tend to visit at least once a year - with a trip back up already pencilled in for April. But the scenic drive up takes me around Loch Lomond, past Cameron House where I visited a few years back, and Loch Lomond itself. Seeing the signs for the Ayrshire coast also got me thinking, what is better? East or west coast of Scotland for golf?

I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time on both sides. West - I’ve played Western Gailes, Dundonald Links, Turnberry, Kilmarnock Barassie, and on the east, I've played The Old Course, Dumbarnie and Elie. I know there are loads more that I haven’t played on both coasts and I think it would be a brave person to try and decide one over the other. I’m sitting on the fence. The Old Course is a course I’m hoping to play for the fourth time this year, and I’d go back every year to play it, but I love places like Western Gailes and The Ailsa at Turnberry, so it is really a tough job to pick.