Iona is an absolutely legendry golf course which is a true experience to play. But the exceptionality of the play is piqued by the unprecedented degree of “hazards” literally sprinkled throughout the course.

• Water – The biggest water hazard in the UK – the Atlantic Ocean – is the least of your worries as the course is set over 100 yards off of it (still makes for a lovely vista).
• Sand – The course does feature the biggest, nastiest sand trap I have ever come upon. A sprawling, malignant monstrosity perched on a steep incline to boot.
• Visibility – Our hole course, Temple GC, has a famous 10^th hole with a blind par 3 into a 200 yard crater so deep that you can see the flag in it. That hole is nearly ALL of Iona. I wonder if this topology is to minimize the impact of the course on the spectacular sea views by eliminating the visibility of most of the flags? There are poles to guide your drives in the general direction of the hidden flag, but many were knocked over by the wind I assume. A scorecard with map is a must (which you buy at the local Post Office for £1…the course’s primary source of income), but even then finding your next hole is a bit of a treasure hunt, especially if…
• Sheep –Not just obstacles to avoid hitting, but also were cuddled around the Hole 2 tee marker so we couldn’t find it (see photo)
• Flowers – Purple or pink balls are recommended as lots of white and yellow flowers and clumps of white sheep wool further add to the scavenger hunt feel of a round (see photo)
• Natural Fertilizer – This you won’t have any trouble finding. But you will struggle to avoid. We played our own personal rule that you got to move away from poo instead of sending it flying.

So why would one want to put up with so many impediments?

• Creatures – For those so included, the creature caddies provide a distinctive and fun vibe to the day.
• Chipping Practice – The course essentially thin greenery on beach sand which is quite drenched in many places. So there are no real “fairways” and even the concept of a “green” is questionable. So it is nearly 5k of chipping and light rough practice in challenging conditions.
• Scenery – Not just the expansive ocean, but the curious, rocky, distinctly Scottish undulating topology
• Challenge – All of these idiosyncrasies add up to a unique challenge for the jaded golfer.

Golf Links described it as, “Golf in its purest form.”

And for the standard 4 course assessments…

Welcome – Well, there is no welcome at all as there is no clubhouse. Just a sign on the front gate (see photo) advising to have dogs on leads (for the sake of the ubiquitous livestock).

Walk – One would think it is flat, but holes. Lots of blind holes. And they are made blind by the quite dramatically undulating landscape which involves its share of inclines to hike.

Water – Ironically so Scotland – land of rivers, waterfalls and lochs – there was no fresh water anywhere to be seen (aside from an ever-present ocean), so bring some for hot days.

Wildlife – Sheep!!! And occasionally cattle (see photo) and the various sea birds.

Wind Down – Every pub and restaurant in Iona appears to be dog friendly. We had a delightful meal at the Argyll Hotel down the road from us by the pier. The black raspberry & cherry ice cream from Iona the menu was simply some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had in the UK.

Happy National Caddie Day! And a special call out to the new breed of canine caddies who can find balls in the rough and even cart bags (see above), but most of all just provide the most encouraging, positive, non-judgmental course partner that you could ever ask for.

We have made a tradition of visiting Italy from the UK during the Easter weekend (which in Europe provides 2 extra public holidays – Good Friday and Easter Monday). Just enough time for the 2-3 hour flight to warm climes of Italy at the end of the British winter. Another bonus is that Italy has a fair number of golf courses and nearly every one we have come across is dog-friendly. This year’s expedition was to a longstanding destination on the lista dei desideria – Cinque Terre. Since many places are closed on the Easter holiday itself, we often play a round of golf to celebrate day and burn off our chocolate.

We found Alisei about an hour’s drive down the road. The course is a modest a “6 hole” in a fairly unassuming neighborhood, but it nonetheless exceeded our expectations. A friendly welcome included a well-provisioned little clubhouse with the cheeriest hello coming from their canine mascot, Theo (see photo) who frequents the course regularly.

Walk – As mentioned, the course is only 6 holes, but even if you play them 3 times over for the full 18 hole round, it is all completely flat and the holes are short (mostly under 100m except for a par 4 hole number 1 at 220 yards).

Water – There are two easily accessible water hazards by Hole 1 and by Hole 2, but you are never very far from the clubhouse where a water dish is always waiting with fresh water.

Wildlife – The area is in a fairly built-up area of the seaside and so we didn’t encounter any wildlife or even any meandering seagulls.

Winddown – The course had a small café and outdoor eating area, but we felt like some seaside seafood so we drove the short distance to the shore and ate at Restaurante Europa. Not only was the fritto misto di mare possibly the best fried seafood platter we have had (especially the very tender calamari with very light battering), but it was also dog-friendly evidenced by a number of canine companions in the tables beside us.