Blairmore and Strone Golf Club

The course sits on high ground above Dunoon, giving you proper views across the Firth of Clyde while you're trying to concentrate on your swing. Blairmore and Strone is a nine-hole layout that doesn't pretend to be St Andrews, and that's exactly why locals keep coming back. It's the sort of place where you'll see the same faces on the practice ground week after week, and visitors are genuinely welcomed rather than tolerated.

You're looking at around two hours for a full round, which makes it ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Hunters Quay is barely a mile away - and fancy something less demanding than a full eighteen holes. The course plays through rough moorland terrain, so you'll need to keep your wits about you, but the handicap requirements are reasonable. Greens fees are modest compared to the big-name courses, and the clubhouse serves decent food without the fuss.

This works best for golfers with some experience who appreciate a straightforward challenge without the prestige pricing. If you're bringing non-golfing family members, there's honestly not much for them to do while you play, so it's not a great spot if you're mixing skill levels. The walk around is pleasant enough, but weather on the Cowal Peninsula can turn quickly - go on a clear day if you can and you'll understand why people bother making the trip from Dunoon at all.