The Covesea Links
Words by Iain Mathie who, by his own description, is a former *course record holder at Covesea.
(*He played in the first group of our first ever open competition. His ‘record’ did not stand for long.)
A few years ago now I was en route to Lossiemouth for a club fitting. Providing the entertainment was Big Randy of NLU fame and American author Jim Hartsell. They were talking about all things Scottish golf and Jim mentioned a little place called Covesea Links and how much he liked it. I had no intention of playing any golf post club fitting. It was October, I was injured and ready for the old set to go on eBay and generally hibernate for the upcoming winter. Listening to Jim changed that. A quick check showed that Covesea was on the way home, only a few minutes along the road from Lossiemouth. The seed was planted.
Fitting complete and Titleist rep suitably impressed / horrified I headed home via the promise of something a bit different. With the help of the big flag I located the entrance and began to traverse the steep descent to the course. If you haven’t been before, just keep going. There is a golf course down here. When you round that final bend The Covesea Links is revealed in all its majesty. On this late autumnal afternoon it looked spectacular and it was clear I wasn’t leaving without playing. It was one of my better decisions. Covesea has become a firm favourite, a place I visit regularly and a place I have introduced to numerous friends. For me it is everything I like about golf.
As you park and make your way to see Angela you’ll walk within a few feet of the 2nd green. A quick glance gives you an indication of the fun to come. I must admit I’m very envious of Angela. I am of course sure there are a multitude of daily issues that come with operating a golf course but my ignorance of all such things leads me to think that it must be idyllic. A very warm welcome and it’s off to the 1st you go.
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“Absolute cracking 9 hole course in a glorious setting. I thoroughly recommend you give it a go! It’s a hidden gem…..”
The First
Par 3
207yds
It’s a tough start. At 207 yards this is a sizeable par 3. There is room to the left to play with, somewhere short of the green is absolutely fine and leaves an opportunity to sneak off with a par.
The Second
Par 4
304yds
The 2nd hole is a great short par 4. If you are feeling brave you can remove a headcover and have a go at it. I would suggest this option isn’t for the faint hearted as ob and general gorse related misery is tight left and a despicable island of gorse is landing zone adjacent to the right. If the tee shot is safely negotiated a short approach to an hourglass shaped green with excellent rough edged bunkers awaiting anything left or right of target is the challenge you face.
The Third
Par 4
311yds
The 3rd hole runs parallel to the previous hole but in the opposite direction. The aforementioned island of gorse is, if anything, more of a factor on this hole. Play about level with it with a long iron or so or something longer to take it out of play. The approach to the 3rd green is exceptional. The green is not large and is nestled back there surrounded by potential issues – long grass left and a sizeable run off right. A shot finding this target is one to be proud of.
The Fourth
Par 4
402yds
The longest hole on the course and stroke index 1 is the 402 yards 4th hole. A great driving hole to a fairway sweeping from the left. The wee patch of gorse just off the left edge of the fairway is a good line but be wary of going any further left. Long grass borders the length of the hole on the right and is not something you want experience of, believe me.
The Fifth
Par 3
90yds
It is about now when things get REALLY interesting. Whilst driving down the hill into Covesea you may have spotted a pin perched up high on the far left. This is that hole. You may have to take my word for it that there is a green up there. At 90 yards it’s worth a quick jog up the hill to have a look but the flag should just be visible from the tee. This hole is incredible from start to finish and packs a lot into its 90 yards. The green is a sliver of short grass with run offs left and right that lend themselves to the potential of multiple chips from both sides for the unfortunate golfer. I say ‘unfortunate golfer’ because if you happen to be in good shape you may watch on with great delight as you watch your friends chip, chip and chip again.
The 5th green is a place to pause for a minute and just have a look around. What a magical place to be with the beach below and lighthouse in the distance. One for your social media of choice.
The Sixth
Par 3
221yds
You are now in the midst of one of the most enjoyable and unique stretches of golf in the Highlands. As you step onto the 6th you are facing one of the more memorable tee shots you’ll ever encounter. The tee box indicates 221 yards but the green sits a long way below you. What the playing yardage might be I have no idea, your guess is as good as mine. If you want my advice (do as I say not as I do) pick something that will land short and skip on. A more recent experience has taught me that the gorse bushes left are very much in play if you pick a club that could pitch on the green, I have the scratches to prove it.
The Seventh
Par 3
135yds
If you’ve ever played Cullen the 7th hole might not seem out of the ordinary. However if you have heard anything about Cullen then me making this comparison would suggest this hole is anything but conventional. 135 yards over a huge mound with a marker on top to a green that has to be seen to be believed. If the 5th hole is chip, chip and chip again then the 7th is putt, putt and putt again (and maybe again). Three distinct tiers and being on the wrong one with your tee shot could mean that a four is a positive result. Just great fun and it’s off up to the 8th tee.
The Eighth
Par 4
232yds
The 8th hole is a bigger version of the 6th but with added drama. Teeing off from the same height but this time through a gap in some huge rocks to a green tucked 232 yards away. Being a par 4 this should offer a birdie chance but don’t let your mind wander to that joyous outcome until your towering tee shot is safely reacquainted with turf. Anything over the dip is a great shot. A grassy edged bunker short right is ideally placed and, with more chance of encountering various carnivorous insects than your golf ball in the right rough, it might be best to play relatively safe from the tee.
The Ninth
Par 3
100yds
The closing hole at Covesea is a superb short par 3 measuring just over 100 yards with the tee sitting up against some imposing cliffs. The green is small, slopey and relatively shallow and as such is very much in keeping with everything you have experienced so far. A well struck shot and a favourable bounce could lead to a birdie putt and a memorable end to your round.
I hope that as you make your way from the 9th green and wander in between the gorse bushes towards your car you think the same as me. That you have just experienced something special and that the first word you can think of to describe Covesea is simply ‘fun’. Golf is not an easy game. All of us that play it will spend many cumulative rounds toiling against the complexity of the golf swing and innumerable mental demons. I’d urge you to try and dispel the notion of par and scores and embrace the chance to hit shots you don’t get to play often. Wee wedges, tee shots that stay in the air for an eternity and previously unimagined putts. That is the magic of Covesea. No matter what you will have something that you will remember fondly and something that brings you back, and I hope that you do.
In my hometown they also have 9 hole courses. The only commonality they share with Covesea is the number of holes. They would have about three pins, a single rake and likely twenty or so young, intoxicated locals who regard your golf clubs as potential tools for a plethora of nefarious activity. They were not places you would necessarily seek out. You should seek out Covesea. Add it on to a day playing Lossie or Hopeman and you will have had a most enjoyable day. Come and play nine on a late summer’s afternoon. Play it twice if 18 holes is what you seek. You will not regret taking a chance and driving down that winding wee road.