Bonar Bridge

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Bonar Bridge Ardgay Golf Club © 2006 Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Bring Your Camera As Well As Your Clubs The views to Loch Migdale and the distant hills are your constant reminder to relax into your game. Any golf course located so close to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club is going to suffer in comparison to that great jewel. In fact, there are a number of courses within 30 miles that I would choose to play before playing Bonar Bridge--courses likeTain and Golspie and Brora, for example. Having said that, however, I must also say that I really enjoyed playing Bonar Bridge. It's not another links course in a land of great links courses, but a 9-hole heathland layout that weaves in and out of woods and hills and dales and lochs. Surrounded by the stillness of nature, the only sounds are the haunting call of an occasional cuckoo bird, the wind in the trees, the swish of a golf club and crack of a ball. This, together with buzzards and osprey winging thru the tall pines and mist-covered hills in the background creates an almost magical experience that will relax the body and refresh the soul. It was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. And at only £15 a round, this has to be one of the best bargains in Scotland. Most of the greens are not this generous, but all are beautifully pampered--as is the entire golf course--so your putts will run true. Bonar Bridge is an ideal course to play if you haven't had enough golf for a day and are looking for a second play. It may seem short at 5,600 yards but with a par of 68 (SSS 65) the average fairway stroke distance (AFSD) is a respectable 175 yards. That's only 7 yards per shot less than the Old Course at St. Andrews, which has an AFSD of 182 yards. And if it weren't for three short par 3s, the average would be much higher. Speaking of the par 3s, they are wonderful little holes, the last one of which plays downhill to a green with a pond lurking behind patiently waiting for the unfortunate golfer who chooses the wrong iron. There's also a 500 yard dogleg that's as good as any hole in the area. You'll look forward to playing it again on the "back 9." That's the fifth tee down below. If you don't hit to the turn on your drive, you can't see the green and so have little hope of getting on in two on this challenging par 5. Scenic woodland paths lead to several of the holes. This one heads for #3. 9th fairway ladder to help you locate your ball if it goes out of bounds. A contrast to the local links layouts, Bonar Bridge will give you a nice change of scenery and pace. And it's always kept in great condition. With the gorgeous scenery, the whispers of wildlife and wind, the wonderfully manicured golf course, and the deceptively challenging holes, golf at Bonar Bridge is a good walk...made even better. The clubhouse offers a nice opportunity to have some soup & sandwiches--at a very reasonable price--and talk about all the putts you should have made. Bona Bridge Ardgay Golf Club Market Stance - Migdale Rd Bonar Bridge Sutherland IV24 3EJ , Scotland Clubhouse Telephone: (0) 1863 766199 Secretary telephone: (0) 1863 766750 email: BonarArdgayGolf@aol.com