Hopeman

When the gorse is in full bloom in late May and June, this eighteen-hole links between Lossiemouth and Burghead has to be one of the most spectacular on the entire Moray coast. It’s a mix of links and heath, with the tightest of fairways producing jangling nerves on many tees at the prospect of piloting drives into the gorse. The early part of the round is played close to the clubhouse and away from the sea. It includes a par five and gets the longest third of the course out of the way. The eighth - well-named “Heathery”- gets you to the high point - then the fun starts! Across the sloping ground to the beach you go, still needing to be straight, and the twelfth is an awesome par three. The run-in over the closing trio of holes is a mix of relief and disappointment that the adventure is drawing to a close; when the sun lights it up, it’s just captivating.