Ultimately though, the most satisfying and immediate connection between golf and whisky is that of challenge and reward. When a man tests himself against the climate and the landscape it is only fitting that the elements reward his endeavors. How else to celebrate a round of the greatest game man has ever invented than with a drop or two of the greatest spirit? And what better way to do it than to match the course with the dram?
Playing off from the first tee at the Old Course at St Andrews is to begin at the beginning. This is the undisputed home of golf. To play here is to tread hallowed turf where 13th century shepherds once enjoyed an early form of the game. Here you’ll face the famous 17th, the 455-yard Road Hole, arguably the most famous hole in golf, requiring a blind drive over the hotel grounds. After that experience a tincture is richly deserved and, although the clubhouse at the Royal and Ancient boasts hundreds of wonderful malts, the Glenkinchie is one of only six Lowland offerings and well worth a try. Double-matured in Amontillado casks, it’s fresh and light in character with notes of lemon, cut grass and a hint of peat.
Heading inland through Perth and Tayside finds players spoilt for choice. There’s world famous Gleneagles, surrounded by the Grampian Mountains, the Trossachs and the Ochil Hills. Blairgowrie with its fairways lined with pine, broom and heather. Montrose, where golf has been played since 1562 and, of course, Carnoustie, the 7,361-yard marathon, regarded by many as the toughest links course in the world. Surely a test to merit a finger or two of a Blair Athol sherry-casked Twenty-Year Old? For the real enthusiast with energy to spare there are excellent distillery tours in the local area including Blair Athol itself, Tullibardine, Dewar’s, the Famous Grouse and Eradour.
Onwards up to Speyside we find ourselves in the true home of Scottish malt whisky. Here are the Highland towns and villages known to whisky aficionados all over the world with names like Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie, Craigallachie, Knockando – words which roll across the tongue like the fine malts they produce.
For golfers this too is paradise, the jewel in the crown being Royal Dornoch, bordered by the magnificent sparkling waters of the Dornoch Firth. Described by Tom Watson as ‘the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.’
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