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Five of the best: Shoreline holes

Many of Scotland’s finest golf courses are defined by their relationship with the sea. It’s impact includes the distinctive linksland soil on which the game is played to the winds that whip in over the waves and can change the character of a layout in the blink of any eye. Sometimes the sea intervenes more urgently, resulting in the creation of some truly spectacular golf holes. From heroic carries from the tee, to surf-sprayed putting surfaces, here are some of our favourite shoreline holes . . .

11th hole, Ailsa Course, Turnberry

The 11th hole at Turnberry was once a picturesque but straightforward one-shorter, requiring a mid-iron from a seaside tee to a flat green framed by pot bunkers. This all changed in 2016 when designer Martin Ebert shifted the putting surface 50 yards to the left and created one of the best short holes in Scotland. The new green complex is balanced on the very edge of the Firth of Clyde. Anything fat, pushed or hooked is going to have an encounter with the ragged rocks.

2nd hole, Castle Stuart

The long second is part of a stunning opening stretch which takes full advantage of Castle Stuart’s spectacular location. A brave tee shot will be threaded between a pot bunker in the heart of the fairway and the shoreline to the right. From here, it’s possible to reach the putting surface in two, but only by taking a short cut over the blue stuff once more. The raised green will only receive a purely-struck approach. On a good day, you’ll be able to watch dolphins and porpoises jumping in the surf as you contemplate a putt on the multi-tiered putting surface.

2nd hole, West Links, North Berwick

After a gentle opener, the West Links at North Berwick bares its teeth on the tee of the second hole. From an elevated position, the golfer must decide how much sea to carry in setting up an approach to a well guarded green. A conservative line to the left will avoid the drink but brings some thick, nasty rough and gorse into play. Anything too bold, however, runs the rusk of being beached. Miss the fairway and getting back into position is complicated by a narrow ditch that crosses the fairway 60 yards short of the green.

8th hole, Kilspindie

The short but perfectly-formed links at Kilspindie, just down the road from Muirfield, is a hoot to play. No single hole exemplifies this better than the picturesque 8th, a 167-yard par three. From a tee perched atop a sandhill, it’s all carry to a green guarded in front by either a sandy beach or lapping waves, depending on the tide. Usually played into the prevailing wind, careful judgement is needed to reach the undulating putting surface.

12 hole, Kingsbarns

This majestic, sweeping par five curls wraps itself around a craggy bay in the North Sea to stunning effect. Gently dog-legging from right to left, it pays to keep the tee shot to the right of the fairway, allowing a clearer path of approach to a long green, perched on the rocky foreshore, which tapers from front to back. A pin position at the rear of the green, where the target area is narrowest, is particularly challenging.