Krakow Old Timers Golf Group Blog: Mike Clark in Scotland

Monday, September 15, 2025

Mike Clark in Scotland - Days 17 & 18

Seems as though the last couple days have been a mixing bowl of golf at various courses and types ranging from true links, to heathland to parkland.

Overall, the weather, although very windy at times, has been very hospitable and a guy could wear shorts most days. As I write this, today has been what I would expect the norm to be for golf in Scotland. I awoke last night to hear rain pelting against my window and it’s been windy and raining pretty much all day. Not thunderstorm rain like at home but just enough rain to be annoying. That being said, the real wetness comes in the form of heavy thick mist, as if a cloud has just settled over you. Either or, rain gear has been in play for me all day.

Courses that I’ve played recently include Nairn Dunbar, a true links layout in which I had the most enjoyable round while guided around by my caddie John. At 75, John was full of zip and conversation as he instructed me where and where not to hit the ball. We had a great rapport and John let it be known that in his day he was a very good player. He actually played in the Open Championship that Trevino won against Mr Lu at Royal Birkdale.

Other recent rounds include Invergordon Club, a parkland course with views of the Dornoch Firth, Alness Golf Club, a heathland course with some fantastic holes and very hilly with dramatic elevation changes, and today I made the drive north to Helmsdale Golf Club to battle the course as well as the weather. Tomorrow should be dry for the most part and it may entail a trip far north to Reay Golf Club as I’ve heard great things, or I may just opt for minimal windshield time to stay local and play my course Tain and perhaps Portmahomak if I feel I need 9 more.