A Formal Introduction to Scotland

Date: April 2012

Location: Aberdeen Scotland & The Glenlivet Scotch Distillery in Northern Scotland

Course: Royal Aberdeen- Balgownie Links

Golfers: I played, Kelsey braved the weather and attempted to caddy.

Conditions: 8-11 Celsius (46-52 F), Wind: 10-20 Mph

Overview: I recently relocated to Scotland for a work assignment lasting 12+ months in Aberdeen. Of course one of the deciding personal factors was the fascination of Scottish golf and all it entails. The famous courses, history behind them and plain and simple- birthplace of golf was in the back of my mind all throughout the relocation process. I had plans to take a Scottish golf holiday, but I figured this would be down the road a bit, 5 years at least. Being that I'm here, I wanted to get on the course as soon as possible. In addition to the first crack at golf in Scotland, I've added a day trip Kelsey and I took to the Glenlivet Distillery. 

Golf Details: We landed on Thursday, I had my tee time for Wednesday booked within 72 hours. I wanted to get my first taste of Scottish golf on one of the better courses and I knew the rates would go up within the next few weeks, so I booked the 6th oldest course in the world, Royal Aberdeen Balgownie Links. 

#1 Tee Shot, North Sea in background

Looking out from the first tee, the sun shining for a brief moment, I took it all in and drove one down the middle, just avoiding a fairway bunker that would take me 3+ shots to get out of from the looks of it. I was a bit nervous with all the hype I'd put on the first shot in Scotland so it felt nice to get one in the short grass. Nerves subsided, we're off- walking of course, as carts for for seniors or disabled for most courses in Scotland. The course is a true links layout running parallel with the North Sea, which provides a biting cold wind most of the year. The front 9 is straight into the wind and returning back you get a little relief, wind at your back for the final 9. There are rolling hills throughout the course and the rough is practically unplayable. I drove the ball really well and managed to stay out of most of the deep green side bunkers. I learned quickly that links golf takes patience- with the rolling fairways and large greens that have a lot of undulation, the ball tends to run and stop on its own will. After a few nice breaks off sides of hills, I was having a great time and avoiding big numbers. There are two blind tee shots on the back nine, starter told me to aim at the lighthouse for one and the red stake for the other. I found the fairway in one and a deep bunker for the other. I elected to chip out versus face the five foot bank with sea grass growing another 5 feet to add to the challenge. In all 18 holes, I used a wedge maybe twice around the greens. The flat stick was used around the green and most of them ended up safe and sound versus a bladed 52 degree. 

#12, only par 5 on back nine

Yardage markers are non-existent, maybe a 150 stake every three holes. After I walked to 4 sprinklers in the fairways, I realized none of them would have yardages as I was used to. I like it though, keeps the courses as they were in the past and caddies employed. 

Next Bones Mackay

The weather did change every 15 minutes, and Kelsey was a trooper to stick it out with her 8 layers of clothes and my jacket by the end of the round. It was sunny for a point, rained and even hailed briefly but majority of the time it was overcast and windy. I was given a small bottle of Scotch to help adjust my bourbon pallet to Scotch and it was cracked open to keep me warm. It began to rain pretty hard on 17, so the next 20 minutes were in Scottish fashion, sideways rain and cold. I made a 8 footer on 18 in the rain, had a quick smile and got in the car as quickly as possible. Round one of Scottish golf, great success, thrilled to have the opportunity to  play one of the greatest and oldest courses in the world. 

Quick nip to warm the bones

Scotch Tour: Kelsey and I took a two hour drive to the Glenlivet Distillery in Northern Scotland. It's only about 75 miles, but with the tiny countryside roads and winding trail, it takes a solid two hours. After a couple detours to ensure we were on the right road, we made it to the Distillery. Tour was really neat, went through the process of how their Scotch is made, etc. 

Glenlivet is a single malt mild Scotch, youngest maturity they sell is a 12 year old. Small size group, so the tour guide gave some insight to the facility and odd facts about some of their Scotch. We're far from Scotch buffs so it was cool to hear that they usually are barreled in three types of barrels, most popular is a Kentucky bourbon barrel they get from the states. Scotch can be barreled up to three times per barrel, Bourbon only once- so Scotch comes out ahead as far as barrel efficiency. 

      Scotch Tasting 

Now the good stuff. At the end of the tour we were given one dram (single shot) of our pick between three ages. Kelsey chose the 16 year old Nadurra and I went with the 18 year old which had a smooth flavor. Kelsey is not a whisky drinker, but she liked the 18 year old more then the Nadurra. I don't see her ordering a single malt at the bar, but hey you never know. Being it was slow, we were able to sit around and talk with the guide. She let me try a 21 year old half dram and it was pretty tasty and pricey so I'll stick with the free sample. 

We had some lunch in the cafe, bought some souvenirs and got ready to head back. We planned to walk around the estate, but the weather had different plans. We got a quick last picture in the rain and called it a day. Great day trip, everyone was really friendly and I was able to add a mini scotch for the golf bag. 

Favorites: #1 at Royal Aberdeen, just something about the Sea in the background and knowing the round has just begun. #13 is a blind tee shot, but short par 4. When you're in the clear, there's a large bell to ring to alert the group behind you it's all clear. Kelsey as a caddy(at least for the few holes she pushed the pull cart)- nice to walk down the fairway and take it all in. 18 year old Scotch after you take the tour and know how its all made, pretty cool. 

Good view of the links on the front 9

Final Thoughts: First round in Scotland was amazing, I'm thrilled to be here and will make the most of it. Looking forward to a couple of friends making the trip over the next year, will definitely go back at least once. Scotch tour was a first and would check out another distillery on the Scotch routes in Scotland. Scotland welcomed me with a mixture of weather, golf and drink to break me in, should be a great experience ahead.