Askernish

Askernish is one of the most remote venues that you will find on any of the NCG Top 100s list, let alone the Scotland list. 

 

Sitting on the island of South Uist, off the western coastline of mainland Scotland, Askernish has been around since the 1890s. Old Tom Morris designed the original 18-hole layout through the dunes. 

 

2008 saw the course reopened after Martin Ebert brought it back to its former glory. The course plays along the coastline of South Uist, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  

 

  

Visit the Askernish website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 

There have been plenty of iterations of Askernish Golf Club, with the first dating back to before the turn of the 20th Century. 1891 saw Old Tom Morris lay out the original 18-hole golf course on Askernish Farm. 

 

Through the 1920s and 1930s, the land was used for aircraft landings, meaning the golf course became obsolete. A 9-hole course was then brought back to life a couple of decades later, but once again fell into decline in the 1980s. 

 

2006 saw Martin Ebert drafted in with the aim of restoring the original 18-hole layout, as designed by Morris. Two years later, the course was opened by Liverpool FC legend Kenny Dalglish. 

Following the refurbishment, the Par 72 links course at Askernish now runs to around 6,200 yards in length. It runs parallel to the coastline of the island, with eight consecutive holes bringing the North Atlantic Ocean into play. The dunes' natural contours form the fairways and during winter months sheep and cattle graze the course. 

 

It begins with a dog-leg right par 5, one that features natural wetlands to the right side of the fairway. Almost anything right will see you reaching into your bag for another golf ball, so the safe play is down the left side. At only 480 yards, the opening hole might even provide an early eagle chance. The 2nd is the first par 3 at Askernish, and one of just 155 yards. The 3rd is drivable, with the green sitting less than 250 yards from the green tees. Some will choose to lay up to a generous fairway before attacking the green with a wedge in hand.  

  

The 4th, Flora, is just 324 yards but can drive you mad. An accurate drive from a raised tee to a tight fairway is required as thick rough borders the hole on both sides. A difficult approach shot is then required over a large hollow to a small green which is bordered on three sides by large craters. A par on this hole will long be boasted about. The par 4 5th, Marloch, offers a stunning view from the tee placed on top of a 30 ft sand dune at the most northern part of the course. A wide fairway awaits your drive and leaves you with an exciting approach shot to a huge green on an upward slope. It also takes you down to the coastline for an exciting run of holes. 

 

The 6th brings the North Atlantic into play for the first time on the layout. It is the longest hole on the property, and plays as a dog-leg right with the green sitting just in front of the beach. 7 has a quirky fairway, and one that must be found if you are going to have a chance of birdie, while the 8th is another drivable par 4. However, anything missing right will find itself down into the valley and running away towards the beach. The safe play is with a long iron or fairway wood to find the wide part of the fairway. Missing left is not the danger on the 8th. The front nine as Askernish comes to a close with a dog-leg left par 4 which turns with the coastline. The fairway is split in two, so driver might not be the play. Anything right on the approach runs the risk of being wet. 

 

The 10th plays away from the water somewhat, before the par 3 11th brings you right back to the coast of the Atlantic. It is 180 yards to the front of the green from the back tees, and playing on the angle, anything right will find the ocean. Missing left isn’t the best option, but it is much safer than having to pull another ball out of your bag. 12 takes you back inland and away from the ocean for the final time. However, you still can’t afford to miss too far right as there is out of bounds down the right side. The longer hitters will be able to get over the top of the hill and give themselves the bonus of seeing the green for their second shot, should they wish to take it on. 

 

13 is another short par 4, one where driver might not even be needed for some, while club selection is crucial on the par 3 14th. Although it is only 145 yards to the middle of the green, accuracy and distance are vital, with hollows surrounding the green, running off in different directions. Both 15 and 16 are similar in the fact that their fairways narrow the further you hit your tee shots. Both might require a smaller club off the tee to make sure you find the fairway. 17 is the last par 3 at Askernish, but it is a very tricky green with three distinct levels. The closing hole is a par 5 and one final chance to improve your score. The 18th has a wide fairway, and with the hole only being 514 yards, the longer hitters may well take their chances with going for the green in two.  

Where is Askernish located?  
Askernish Golf Club is, without doubt, one of the most remote golf courses on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It sits on the Isle of South Uist in the Hebrides, off the western coast of Scotland. Askernish is then on the western coastline of the island, looking out over the North Atlantic Ocean. 

 

There is no easy way of getting to the Isle of South Uist, it has to be said. The most obvious route is via ferry, from Oban or Mallaig on the mainland. The trip takes at least three hours, up to five from Oban. Benbecula Airport is the only airport that services both North and South Uist. Flights can be taken from Glasgow or Inverness to reach Benbecula, h Askernish around 25 miles south of the airport.   

What golf facilities does Askernish offer?  
Although there are no outdoor practice facilities at Askernish, there is an indoor practice bay that can be used by golfers who are waiting to tee off. There is a putting green which sits next to the clubhouse and the first tee box. 

What are the green fees at Askernish?  
The price of a green fee at Askernish changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Askernish, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the Askernish website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.