Can only play 2 highland / Inverness area courses

[Rotting]

I’ll be on a family (read: not golf) trip in August and I have permission to play two rounds while we are in the Inverness area. My instinct tells me to play Dornoch and Castle Stuart, but there is a potential catch to the plan— I will be returning to Scotland next year with the fellas for a 10 day golf vacation and we already plan to hit Dornoch, among other courses coming up north from St. Andrews. So, we will have opportunity to play 3/4 Inverness area courses on that trip. And I’d think we would want to play Dornoch and Castle Stuart on that trip as well. 
 

So, as crazy as it sounds, would I be “wasting” my golf allowance this trip on two courses we will likely play 12 months later? Should I play Tain and Brora instead as they would most likely be left out next year? Should I mix and match that idea and play Dornoch and Brora?

 

All suggestions very welcome! Thanks!

[El Gringo]

Hard to say no to Dornoch. Play it. Castle Stuart is great, but only needs to be played once.

 

You may want to consider playing Moray Old. It's a good course, I think better than Nairn and Brora. If you do, play the highly charming Covesea 9 holes. It's very near Moray. 

Edited July 18, 2022 by El Gringo

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Always advocating for Tain, but I’m pretty biased as a member. 

Brora was great, but quite a drive if that’s a factor. 

Dornoch is a must, you never know when you have a chance to come back. What if the trip next year doesn’t work out for some reason? You’ll regret not taking the opportunity. 

And if it does (which it will, not trying to jinx you here), you’ll have the local knowledge already. 

I’d play Dornoch and Tain. 

Also consider Fortrose & Rosemarkie, charming links course along a tongue of land, with great views. 

[Chanceman]

Dornoch natch. Plus Fortrose and Rosemarkie which is a dinky little links course north of the Inverness bridge.

[Pete O'Tube]

Play Royal Dornoch definitely. Then try something completely different like Boat of Garten. 

[ND2005]

Don’t skip Dornoch. 
 

It’s one of those courses I could play every day and never get sick of it. 
 

 

[Rotting]

OK, it is unanimous so far, and it really IS a no-brainer -- Dornoch will be played. Looks like some good and varied suggestions for course #2, I'm sure I'll have a killer time whichever course I go with out of the suggestions. Thanks everyone!

[hammergolf]

Definitely Dornoch, in fact play it twice to appreciate the design and terrain. 

[Chanceman]

Not to muddy the waters but have a look at Muir of Ord just north of Inverness. Very short and quirky.

[philsRHman]

On 7/18/2022 at 8:58 PM, hammergolf said:

Definitely Dornoch, in fact play it twice to appreciate the design and terrain. 

I’ll second this. When I did my 3 week trip, I aimed to go deep on a few (for me it was TOC 3x and North Berwick 4x) and they’re so more deeply burned into my memories. If you have two rounds, I’d go for both at Dornoch (even without having played it) because the appreciation of the greats the second time is exponential. And you’ll be thst much more jazzed when you come back. 
 

I think the extra advantage is Dornoch has a replay rate that might be with it a week instead of a single day. 

[hammergolf]

5 minutes ago, philsRHman said:

I’ll second this. When I did my 3 week trip, I aimed to go deep on a few (for me it was TOC 3x and North Berwick 4x) and they’re so more deeply burned into my memories. If you have two rounds, I’d go for both at Dornoch (even without having played it) because the appreciation of the greats the second time is exponential. And you’ll be thst much more jazzed when you come back. 
 

I think the extra advantage is Dornoch has a replay rate that might be with it a week instead of a single day. 

We did the same on the past trip to Ireland. Playing Lahinch, Tralee, and Ballybunion twice was great. Normally we play 7 different courses but all the guys preferred going back for a second round.

[Hawkeye77]

Royal Dornoch is awesome, don't pass on one of the best courses in the world.  If you are playing it again in a year, don't bother to play it twice, mix it up and see another course and have a different experience.  

 

Brora is magical and whimsical - you won't regret it and probably not on a "fellas" list (but if not, they don't know much, lol).

 

 

[MattyO1984]

Royal Dornoch is absolutely essential. No ifs nor buts, it just has to be done.

 

Other than that it would be one from Nairn, Brora or Castle Stuart for me. 

[Raz1374]

I would definitely venture up to Dornoch from Inverness. Brora is another 30 mins north so factor that in to travel time to/from Inverness. I would probably pair Nairn or Castle Stuart with Dornoch. Castle Stuart has the glam and the price tag to go with it. Great experience.  It’s Nairn if you want lower key, flatter walk and lower price. 
 

your decision is really Dornoch +__________.