Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis Club

Played 'The Boat ' for the fifth time whilst staying at Nairn. My favourite course anywhere. Not long by any means but certainly a test. Accuracy required so put the driver away. Stunning scenery. A must play if in the area.

This was the first stop on a week tour for four Swedish golfers in July 2007 and the only inland course we played. The course was in good condition in spite of having received a fair amount of rain in the days before we played. However, I would not say that it was exceptionally good as far as quality of tees, fairways and greens goes - just sort of slightly-above-average good. There are some very interesting holes on the course (I heartily agree with 'Young P' about hole 15, 'Gully') but some of the holes seem to be too similar to each other. This may be a misconception since I only played the course once, but I find it difficult to 're-play' the course in my mind. Our tee time reservation was handled in a manner that was at the same time efficient and exceptionally friendly and welcoming.

Just like Tain, we're back four years on for the Scotland 2006 tour - and pleased to report that the Boat is as stunning as ever. No need to repeat the eulogy below but a couple of pertinent updates. Pleased to see that the 13th is now a par 5 – even if it's SI 1 and still seems to play as hard as nails uphill! Hole 6, Avenue, is still a wonderful elevated dogleg par 4, but I think the 7th, Bell, is even better. You must play to the left hand side of the stunning uphill treelined fairway to give yourself the right line in for the blind approach over the brow of the hill because, on the other side of it, everything slopes away to the left. I'm also now of the opinion that the short 307 yard par 4 15th, 'Gulley' is just an absolute masterpiece. Mackenzie Ross said "a great golf hole is one which puts a question mark into the player's mind when he arrives on the tee to play it" - well this hole does that, and then some. Do you lay up short of the gully? Or play into it and then have a blind shot out? Or risk trying to carry it and drive the green? What do the conditions allow you to do on the day? This is one hole I could never, ever, get tired of playing. Respect to Mofy for pulling off shot of the week on the 18th (the hardest par 4 on the course), chasing a faded 5 wood up the hill to about six feet from the pin – even if he did then go and miss the putt! The Boat also has a welcoming pro shop and clubhouse. If only the weather was as good as when we were here all year round, I'd throw in the day job tomorrow and get straight up here… In the meantime, back to reality and tomorrow it's back to the famous quartet of links around Dornoch and the enigma that is Golspie GC. 9/10 'Young P'

Played on a glorious sunny day. There are no words. Green fee around £30. Stunning views, stunning course, stunning value. I recommend this course without reservation - no golfer should miss it.

The day we arrived in Scotland I was looking forward to playing the Boat and it did not let me down. The pro was willing to help and got us of 20 mins early. Stood on the first tee it didn't look much but this was the worst hole on the course the following 17 holes were just mind blowing in all aspects, the challenge, the condition and the veiws. Wow what a day, this is a must visit golf course!!!!!!

This was a different animal to anything else the London posse (and Bristol monkey) encountered on the Scotland 2002 summer tour. If it wasn’t for the vertiginous local scenery, you could easily be mistaken for thinking you were in sylvan Surrey! Mercifully, we were not. Adjourning from the links for a day, we ventured to this stunning location about 40 miles south of Inverness, overlooking the River Spey and the Cairngorm mountains shrouded in low cloud. Pay no attention to the first hole whatsoever, an unremarkable Par 3. After that, though, things get moving straight away as you launch into the stunning wooded and heather surroundings with a beautifully inviting 4, 3, 5 sequence. The legendary course architect James Braid obviously had a lot of fun designing ‘The Boat’ as he leads you up and down the hills with a few of his trademark marker posts to help you along the way. Hole 6, ‘Avenue’, is one of the tougher Par 4s, which requires a good drive to see enough of the green for a mid to long-iron approach. Hole 12, ‘Craigellachie’ (also Par 4), is another personal favourite, which drops off from an awe-inspiring height; just don’t get too carried away with trying to blast your drive! It’s immediately followed by what must be one of the hardest Par 4s I’ve ever come across, a 432 yard Par 4 where the second shot must carry (realistically at minimum) 75 yards uphill, then a 100-foot high near-vertical hill then another 100 yards to a completely blind green. I think a bogey is acceptable here! The course finishes strongly as well, with attractive Par 4s at 15 and 17, and a good Par 3 at 16. The fifteenth, ‘Gully’, is a particularly interesting hole, where you’re probably better laying up short of the gully with a seven iron rather than playing a mid/long iron into it then having a completely blind pitch out. With so many trees around, the onus is on you to keep it straight but if you can do that then there’s no reason why you can’t score well here. For the most part, you’re sheltered from the wind and off the standard tees, it’s only 5,866 yards. In terms of scenery, inland golf just does not come any more spectacular than this in the UK. That may sound a grandiose statement but seeing really is believing around here. We also played on a weekday and in our afternoon round it honestly felt like we were the only people on the course! Admittedly, there’s only one Par 5 and the first hole is a bit village, but this is still an absolutely fantastic place to play golf. 8.5/10 Young P

First visit to Boat. Fantastic experience. Wonderful course in excellent condition. This is a real test of golf which can completely destroy the middle to high handicaper. The views are breathtaking. There are quite a few blind tee shots and you must be straight off the tee or pay a very heavy price. The club itself is very friendly and welcoming. Food is good quality too. If the weather permits a visit to Boat can be an unforgetable experience.

Lovely course. Nice springy turf. Not easy to score well. Where else can you see deer running across fairway! Nice chat with intelligent greenkeepers on way round. Very picturesque. Recommended.

My favourite course in the UK. Every hole is totally different from all the others and a pleasure to play. The Cairngorms provide a wonderful backdrop, the River Spey runs along one side of the course and a Steam Railway adds the final touch alongside some of the opening holes. Excellent food in the clubhouse very reasonably priced. Make sure you get a day ticket - 18 holes will not be enough!

Played Boat for the second time at the end of june 99. Unfortunately the greens were terrible. The result of a late frost we were told. The course was as ever terrific and the scenery is unmatched in UK golf. Watch out for the steam train it runs alongside the first few holes and is quite spectacular.

A great course in the middle of the Highlands, well worth stopping at for anyone heading north on the A9 or simply a destination of its own. Don't be put off by the length (5866 off the medal tees); this course plays longer than the yardage, in part because of demands made on accuracy, particularly from the tees. There is nary a weak hole on the course (No. 1 is average), and several are outstanding and tough. The back nine begins with a series of five terrific par 4's - short, medium, and long - all requiring top-notch shotmaking. Unlike many inland courses, the fairways are especially challenging, as they buck and heave and rarely leave a level lie or stance. No. 18, an uphill, 437-yard par 4, is a great finisher. Nice clubhouse, nice pro shop. Highly recommended.

This is not just a fabulous golf course it is a golfing experience. \r\nThere are no poor holes on the course and the scenery cannot be equalled \r\nanywhere in Scotland. I have played this couse on many occasions and \r\nkeep returning year after year. It never seems busy and the facilities \r\nare first class. It is outstanding value.

Played Boat-of-garten In The Spring Of 1995. The Weather Was Great, The Course Was Fabulous. I Will Return To Play It Again.

Boat O'garten - Excellent Condition Even Early In The Year, Great Scenery. A Very Challenging Course Requiring Good Shot Placement. Not A Long Course By Any Means But Lots Of Up And Down.clubhouse Facilities Are New (1994/1995)and Comfortable.

Stayed At The Boat Hotel - 200 Yards From 1st Tee - Very Good Indeed

Super Course- Real Test Of Accuracy Off The Tee. Great Value And Very Friendly.

While I was rained out after 5 holes - this was no Scottish mist - what I saw of the course was great. However, it is the staff, in both the club house and the pro shop, that impressed me. Good food served in very hospitable surroundings and served by open friendly people and I received a full refund of my Green Fees! I hope to be able to return one day and play all 18 holes. I will highly recommend your course to any acquaintances who plan to travel/golf Scotland. Thank you for a pleasant experience. [email protected]

An absolute gem. Beautiful scenery. Perfect for those for whom placement is more enjoyable than power. Very well kept. Steam railway runs down the side of the course. Don't be put off by par 3 start. It gets better and better, and the closing holes are very challenging indeed. A must if you are in the highlands.

This is truly a wonderful course. I played it on a quiet spring afternoon in 1995 while on a tour of the Highlands with my father. We both loved the course with its' challenging holes, great views, and friendly staff. We will return. SM [email protected]