Bute Golf Club

Bute is one of my favorite courses in Scotland. I would echo everything said by the previous critic. One of my great golf joys involves aesthetics or beauty; and Bute has it to the max. The Isle of Arran, near across the water, forms the backdrop for Bute. The mountains are lovely. Bute Golf Club is right on the sea, so the wind, wave and sea breeze are ever present. You can play all day for 10 GBP (2008) It's not busy. You can get lost in yourself. AND THEN THERE'S THE GOLF! Bute is a bit primitive, but its charm is intoxicating. It's seaside rather than links, although with some of its primitive layout (involving stone walls and beach -- see previous report) it definitely brings links golf to mind. Greens have good turf, though the contours are simple. To get there you only have to take the ferry out of Wemyss Bay (SW of Glasgow)to the Bute port of Rothesay, for about 25 GBP and then drive to the SW corner of the island. On a sunny day (OK ... not that probable!) it's absolutely brilliant. Oh Yes: You have to look hard for the wee sign (and probably ask a few locals) to find the course. The "parking lot" is the roadside. The club "shack" is 2-3/10ths of a mile through a couple field paths. One of Scotland's all-time experiences worth 10 times the price.

I always enjoy playing unique golf courses, and I would definitely classify "Bute Golf Club" as unique. The course is set in a wonderful back area of Bute. Upon arrival at the course, you soon realize that this feels like an adventure. You get ready at your car, throw your golf bag over your shoulder and proceed to walk through a farm, making sure that you close each gate behind you so that the livestock remains in the farm. After a good walk through a couple of fields you get to the last gate that gets you into the course. The club house is this very quaint small cabin (some may refer to it as a shack) but it serves its purpose. An honesty box is located at the door and the course makes its way from the club house to the sea, which offers wonderful views of Arran. I particularly love four things about this course: 1-I love the first three holes. Hole 1 is very fair and a good opener, hole number 2 is very interesting since you have to hit your second shot to the green which is hidden by an old stone wall and then the third hole is an absolutely incredible par 3 that is set right against the beach with no bail out places for your shot, only the green. 2-I truly love the fact that the livestock from the farm next door have grazing rights to this course (just like at Fort Augustus Golf Club). 3- I find the fencing around the greens to be very interesting and different but highly effective at keeping the animals off the greens and finally 4- I love the way I feel when I play this course. I can imagine being out here with my mashie or niblick and playing with hickory sticks just as they did at the turn of the century. Its great, yet very different.

I had the pleasure of a quiet sunday afternoon at Kingarth in October 1999. The course is beautifully tended, the greens are fenced to keep the residents off!! The short course allows the higher handicapper to think he's quite good if playing well. The short 3rd is quite delightful. Peace and quiet and beautiful scenery.