A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Argyll
Dunoon, Argyll
Plate III — Heathland course — heather-framed, sandy subsoil
Heathland above Dunoon with Firth of Clyde views. Ferry crossing is part of the experience.
Cowal Golf Club sits on hillside heathland above Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula — reached from Glasgow by the Gourock-Dunoon ferry (about 20 minutes across the Firth of Clyde) or the long road around Loch Long and Loch Fyne. Founded 1891, the course was laid out on elevated ground above the town, where the terrain is genuinely moorland: heather, gorse, birch, and the kind of turf that drains fast and plays firm through summer.
Par 70, 6,063 yards. The views from the upper holes — across the Firth of Clyde to the Ayrshire coast, the Cumbraes, and on clear days to Arran — are among the best from any course on the Scottish mainland. The 7th, a long par-4 with the firth opening behind the green, is the view hole. The heather rough is genuine; the fairways are tighter than they appear from the tee.
Green fee £22–£32 (2026). The ferry crossing is part of the experience — golfers arriving by the Gourock ferry walk or taxi to the course in 15 minutes. Cowal is consistently cited by golfers who discover it as one of the most underplayed good courses in Scotland: proper heathland golf with Clyde views for less than £50, reached on a boat from Glasgow.
The Full Scorecard
Fields marked “Contact club” aren’t public-facing in a way we’ve been able to verify. Call the club directly for these — we’ll update the entry when we have it from source.
Conditions This Week
Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →
Location
Dunoon, Argyll · PA23 8LTOpen in OpenStreetMap →
While They Golf
Argyll isn't only for the golfers. Walks, drives, distilleries, castles, a long lunch — five picks within thirty minutes of the first tee.
The Argyll companion guide →Plan This Round
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Glasgow (GLA) is 180 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
Most home contents policies don't cover golf clubs in transit. The picker matches you to the right kind of cover in two minutes.
Played here? Consider
Picked for heathland rounds in Scotland.
Outerwear
Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.
Layer
Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.
Tech
Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.
Stays Nearby
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Dunoon. Tap any property to check rates.
Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.
Frequently Asked
Nearby courses
Ayrshire golf hub
Browse all Ayrshire courses →
The Open coast. Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick — the trio that defined links golf, plus the municipal courses that locals quietly play for a tenth of the price.
While they golf — Campbeltown
For the non-golfer in Campbeltown →
Springbank malts, distils, and bottles everything on one site — tours book weeks ahead. Davaar Island's 1887 painted cave is accessible on foot at low tide.
Getting there by train
On TripSCOTAbout 20 minutes by ferry from Gourock then a short taxi from Dunoon pier. Glasgow Central in 40 min to Gourock, then a 20-min CalMac ferry to Dunoon.
Read more about Argyll
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