We are back at a classic lowland and gorse public links course. Just what our over-excited souls need – a little authentic links peacefulness. Last night we went to sleep with a view over the 1st and 18th holes. We have vivid dreams of the fear of driving into the awaiting fairways and the town. Up on the 1st tee we hear the language of home and exchange Highland experiences. Moray Old Links is spread out alongside Moray Firth, imbedded together with a more recent alternative – The New Course.

Already on the 2nd the course shows its true colours – a mammoth par 4 – that without pardon requires bravery of the highest class. The 4th – a par 3 – ends just before the road where the 5th tee lies adjacent to an RAF airfield. We are warned about the after-burners size large.

RAF base next to Moray Golf Club!

After another two gigantic par 4s – 7 & 8 – we stride yet again over the road, this time dodging runners in the annual Lossiemouth fun-run. The course changes character and we suddenly find two parallel short par 4s – 270 and 250 yards respectively – easy par and birdie. The 11th and 12th meander between The New Course and an incredible never-ending burn running down to the sea, which is completely enclosed in trees – really pretty. The 14th runs between classic sand dunes and lies in front of the RAF runway. On the horizon can be seen Lossiemouth lighthouse in one direction and the clubhouse on a rise towards another. With pleasure we hit our 2nd stone dead.

14th green & Lossiemouth lighthouse, Moray

The 15th – a classic par 3 – has elephant grass and an actual forest of runway lights. We go for the cup and hear from a man in front when we reach the green, “that was close. You nearly had to buy your buddy a drink.” The 16th is a par-4 dogleg over elephant grass. We go for gold and land on the green fringe. The man in front shots out encouragingly, “Birdie!” The 17th is the last hole among the sand dunes and with a tailwind is within reach, but unfortunately we leave the elephant grass with a souvenir. The 18th, with the town to the right, the 1st fairway to the left, and clubhouse with ale-drinking members in all the windows to finish, is witness to a second shot towards the elevated green that creates a divot from outer links-space. Curtain please. Mr J wins 2 and 0.

Well taken care of by understanding members we feel at peace for the first time for several days.

Like a birthday cake the Art Deco clubhouse proudly stands high up on a hill, with Gil Hanse’s creation below facing Moray Firth. In 2016 the Olympic course will be designed by Hanse in strong competition with some of the world’s best course architects. We manage to start before a number of 4-balls that stand together and stomp at the entrance with representatives from the SGF. Clouds tower up over the bridge in Inverness but the starter is confident that the RAIN won’t fall until 4pm. Already on the 1st tee we are made aware that the course consists of three attributes, broad fairways, extremely large greens and fantastic surroundings. The four first holes caress the water towards Inverenss and include playful bunker combinations, snorting elephant grass and rollercoaster greens. We choose the white tees and our driver becomes our best friend. The fairways are broader than half a football pitch and we have orientation problems as they feel never-ending.

Third green, Castle Stuart

The 4th, a signature hole with Castle Stuart in the background is heavenly. The 5th and 6th are situated on a ridge. The 8th, a 210-yard one-shotter, pumps the adrenaline before we reach the 9th. Suddenly a lost soul appears searching for a ball from the hole 25 yards below us. Halfway house – coffee, no rain and no wind. The stance and swing are calibrated – the course’s design has got under one’s skin. We start with par, birdie, par – up onto the ridge and the novice chips a spinner while Luke’s lookalike sinks from 30 yards.

11th, Castle Stuart

The course is well and truly under our skin. Drive after drive are pumped out against this defenceless opponent. We strike hard crosscourt-forehands, serve  aces  and hit passing shots. The finishing stretch is of high standard – the 16th, a short par 4 that can be defeated by a driver and a lob wedge. The 17th is a wonderfully beautiful par 3 that demands courage. We strike long 4-irons and make par. The 18th and the finish towards the birthday cake is outstanding. A putt for eagle and a simple birdie. Smiling we climb the steps up to the cake and warm up in the shower with a view over the 9th green.