There are some of the best courses in the whole of the UK just a short drive from Lairg.
The most famous one is Royal Dornoch. Near to this is the lovely links course of Golspie. Still nearer is the very challenging course of Bonar Bridge.
For a complete list of courses in the highlands visit golfhighland.com

Royal Dornoch Golf Club    Click here for the course location map
18 holes - 6577 yards 
This is the 3rd oldest golfing town in the world after St. Andrews and Leith, with records dating back to 1616. When played by Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw they both said it was one of the finest courses they had ever played. Designed by Tom Morris it has become a shrine, and has 200 overseas members from the USA alone. Only because of its remoteness has Dornoch not been considered a venue for the Open Championship. This course is just over 1/2 hours drive from Lairg Lodge.

The Championship Course
One of the most popular courses in Scotland, Royal Dornoch's Championship Course is a thinking golfer's delight. Originally laid out in 1891 the course has been improved and altered over the years and is now regularly voted into the world's top twenty by international golfing magazines.
NB. Players will need to show Handicap Certificates (24 for men, and 39 for ladies)

The Struie
Eminent architect Donald Steele designed Royal Dornoch's second course and produced a fine test of golf. Shorter than its older neighbour its greens are equal to those on the 'big' course but their lesser size may still cause some heartache before the round is over…

Nairn   Click here for the course location map
18 holes - 6556 yards
Is regularly used for National Competitions such as the Scottish Professional Championships and Northern Open and is a perennial favourite with visitors. About 1 hours drive.

Bonar Bridge , Ardgay Holes: 9 Yardage: 5284.    Click here for the course location map
Considered by many golfers to be one of the most scenic 9 hole course in the north has been enlarged by opening of three new holes. This has added 329 yards on the medal tees. Shared fairways no longer exist and accuracy is rewarded more than distance. With the smell of pine trees and the views down to Loch Migdale the Bonar Bridge course makes a lovely contrast to Sutherland's links courses. Advance booking is not necessary, and visitors can play the course at all times. During the summer months the club has limited catering. Ladies and gents toilet and changing rooms are available to visitors throughout the season.
The narrow soft turfed fairways are a joy to play off. Although some of the greens are a little difficult to hit and rather small, the new greens along the Loch side are larger and more undulating the three short par threes are super little holes. The new 3rd you play off and elevated tee, down to a large green with a pond waiting at the rear. The 6th modelled on the 6th at Royal Dornoch and the 8th green cunningly guarded by tall ones. New challenge awaits all who play this beautiful maintained course especially the new par 5, fifth hole. Hospitality and informality is shared by visitors members alike.
Directions
 Only 15 minutes drive south from Lairg.

Pitlochry   
18 holes - 5811 yards
The first 3 holes provide the golfer with a steep uphill struggle. However after this, the breathtaking scenery makes up for all the effort. The course is certainly worth a visit.

Brora Golf Club    Click here for the course location map
18 holes - 6110 yards
This challenging links course was established more than a century ago and subsequently redesigned in 1923 by James Braid, who was five times Open Champion and designer of Gleneagles. As with all seaside links there are special places on the course such as the 9th, where the sea is unbelievably close to the green.

Tain Golf Club   Click here for the course location map

With the sea on one side and the backdrop of the mountains behind this is an exceptionally sheltered course which guarantees an interesting round for beginners or experts. Unlike other links courses it offers views north across the Sutherland hills and is arguably one of the best golf settings in the Highlands.

Golspie Golf Club

This links course combines heath and parkland in a wonderful seaside setting. The heather-clad hillside of Ben Bhraggie, topped by the infamous monument to the Duke of Sutherland, looms up behind the course on one side with open sea on the other.

Helmsdale Golf Course

This enjoyable nine-hole course looks over the famous Helmsdale salmon river and gives occasional panoramic views east out to sea or west across to the Kildonan gold diggings. The nine holes wind their way through bracken, gorse and broom - ablaze with colour in springtime - and require consistent accuracy and gentleness.