When I started the ‘Favourite Courses’ series a few years ago I was keen that it should reflect all kinds of voices in golf, from top players to architects, but especially those with a true passion for playing the game. Few have more passion than Jim Hartsell.

Jim is a native and lifelong resident of Alabama who has played more golf in Scotland than the vast majority of Scots. He loves Scottish Golf, and golf writing and he has made many trips to Scotland to study the lesser-known courses. He is the author of the acclaimed ‘The Secret Home of Golf: The Authorised History of Kings Collins Golf and The Creation of Sweetens Cove’.

His latest book ‘When Revelation Comes’ has been recently published to much acclaim. It’s the deeply personal story of the loss of his son and how Jim made a trip to Scotland in a search for meaning.

Jim’s writing is beautiful and his love of people, golf and Scotland shines through. I’m delighted to be able to share his ten favourite course.

Over to Jim!

ASKERNISH
A trip to the remote Outer Hebridean Isle of South Uist to play Askernish is a pilgrimage that every golfer should make. It can be a challenge to get there, but if you ever make it, you are rewarded with the most natural links in golf. It is stunning linksland - with a collection of wildly natural greens to rival any other course. The turf of the machair is firm and resilient. The ball sits up just begging to be hit. The 11th hole, Barra Sight, is a 197-yard par 3 by the wild Atlantic that must be experienced to be believed. The course was originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891. Its rediscovery has been well documented. Visitors are welcomed warmly and treated like family.