Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club

Twelve Holes Beneath Drumadoon

The golf course at Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club opened in 1896 as a nine-hole layout by Willie Fernie. Willie Park Jr. later revised those holes and extended the course to 18 shortly before the First World War. Six of the new holes fell out of use during the conflict, leaving the 12-hole form played today.

The routing sits at Blackwaterfoot on Arran's western shore, below Drumadoon Cliffs and facing across Kilbrannan Sound towards Kintyre. Its short card hides unusual demands. Many shots are blind from the tee, on the approach, or both, with marker posts and signals guiding play over the rising ground.

Crows Nest climbs to a hidden par-three green, followed by the elevated tee shot at The Shelf. Himalayas asks for another uncertain strike, while small greens and the coastal wind keep club selection in doubt. The round takes a little over two hours, yet its shifts in height and direction give all 12 holes a strong identity.