Tourist Sauce (Scotland Golf): Episode 11, Brora and Coul Links

We return to Brora, the site of Soly's (alleged) par-4 ace, to find one of the most fun, rugged, spectacular courses we've seen all trip. We also dive into the proposed Coul Links project, a Mike Keiser and Coore/Crenshaw project that's hoping to break ground down the road.
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Edited by Matt Golden

[@jtex1013]

I don't even think it's a question at this point -- NLU is the best golf channel on youtube.

[@gtaylor9218]

Hands down..I went a year of watching crap KZbin golf without knowing about it somehow. Without other social media, they can fly under the radar. This should be addressed by the team.

[@hawkeye11en1]

“You kill it, they grill it” Should be the new NLU motto.

[@TheKidKelch]

For five pounds

[@teddy26yorks]

I keep coming back to this video of yours. Brora for me is the site of my yearly golfing pilgrimage. We as a family holiday in Inverness every year. Every year, I take a day out to go up to the incredible Brora GC. I’ve been lucky to play Dornoch once (not rich enough to play it every year), but Brora is definitely still the most fun I have ever had on a GC. Incredible place, welcoming clubhouse and pro shop. Plus, as a member of the Halifax golf club, we are members of the James Braid society. And thus as Brora is the HQ of the society, we get it at a reduced rate.

[@DC-gp4uk]

Hi guys, I am from Scotland my self and would just like to thank yous for the appreciation you guys have shown to my country, makes me incredibly proud cheers.

[@garysmith4722]

These courses are must to do in my lifetime, staying in Scotland, Glasgow I really didn’t appreciate what we have on our doorstep. These vlogs have to be the best I’ve watched on KZbin. Thank you!

[@pdonelson]

Fantastic episode! Great work explaining the broader context around Coul -- it'll be interesting to watch the developments.

[@Mikey-gl1je]

Brilliant guys. Whole series has been awesome

[@PMMeiners]

What a lovely course this is. Thanks guys I really enjoy all of your vlogs.

[@RobVogel14]

Come for the sheep and electric fences, stay for the footage of Scottish town hall meetings. Truly a deep dive on this one.

[@Tartan]

That's the Scottish Parliament, mate.

[@tam1381]

Played Brora a few times and loved it. Last time i played it ,it was blowin a hooley last 9 into the gale . Then went to bed a slept like a baby for 4 hours. Almost wore my 2 iron out hit it every shot with it on the back 9. Awesome vid guys.

[@markhenderson5866]

My Conversation with the fella in the pro shop when I played with my father-in-law a good few years back: Me: "Do you have a 'stroke saver' booklet for the course"? Fella: "No Sir" Me: "So with the markers along the fairways, are they front or centre of greens"? Fella: "Which markers sir"? Me: "You know, the little coloured posts at the side of the fairways" Fella: "We don't have any of those either sir" Me: So what method is there for judging distances Fella: (absolutely deadpan) "We prefer to use the eyes sir" I've never had so much fun airmailing and/or failing to reach the front of greens. Thank you NLU. As a member in that region, it's been a huge pleasure seeing someone else discover why the golf clubs and courses up there are so special.

[@drewgrosspga]

Probably the best NLU video on the whole channel. Awesome stuff. MORE BIG RANDY!!

[@SilverfoxThe]

Great video and a great representation of the course! I have to point out that you played this on a pretty benign weather day. When I played it, par 3s into the wind were driver and downwind were wedge.

[@zenger419]

I’ve seriously enjoyed this series. Thank you for this content

[@UlrikStreetPoulsen]

I’m loving these videos. Such great content. Can’t wait for my own pilgrimage to Scotland one day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@brianreifeiss9381]

You boys have played some epic tracks!!👍🏻👌

[@patrickmorgan4006]

Had a credit from an airline to use a few years ago. I only had a few vacation days available so I jumped on plane to finally go to Scotland to play Royal Dornoch. Booked 4 rounds there in 2 days, but off the plane I had one round at Brora to play first. I know that Dornoch was as good as any course I ever played, and probably will ever play in the future, but my round at Brora was the most memorable. I loved it! The cattle and sheep grazing in the fairways and the amazing scenery and people are things that should not be missed. I proudly wear my Brora hat and one day I will return. Hopefully more than once.

[@3girlsoneboy]

Another quality golf doc. I love NLU and Scottish golf. I have been over one time and didn’t go into the Highlands. I will correct this next time. The electric fence seems necessary but off putting. Hard to say anything bad about these videos. The content and production is so good. I don’t have a solid four guys that I play golf with all the time. Watching these guys having fun and loving golf is a beautiful thing. Now if I could just learn how to hit the wipey fade my life be the ultimate. Cheers

[@Replayed197]

*Leaves putt 8 meters short* "Juuuuust short!" HAHA!

[@stirkz]

These are so so good to watch!

[@lukefish79]

The whole series is simply the best viewing ever, love your respect for this great game guys; #fanboyforlife

[@Kinlochbervie50]

It hasn't been mentioned in the comments, but I'm delighted to say that the Coul Links golf project was rejected by the Scottish Government. It had some support, but as the comments in this video suggests, that support was not universal in the Scottish golf community (which I am part of), let alone the locals around Embo. The thing with Scottish golf is the majority of courses have come around organically through history by locals wanting to play in their community. This comes through in the the entire NLU series - it's been covered how accessible St Andrews, North Berwick, Kilspindie all are and that the culture of these courses are rooted in their communities and clubs generally aren't exclusive in their nature. What is egregious is when Trump, and Coore and Crenshaw come to tell a community "you're getting a golf course". Neither the Highlands, nor Scotland widely, are lacking in great links courses or inland courses. Not every strip of land is doing nothing if nothing is there. The right decision has been made here.

[@jeffreygrove5057]

That looked great fun .

[@Nick_J_]

Randy with the 1000 yard stare at 7:51

[@markpodbury2307]

Amazing series

[@lewisrooke1]

DJ with the squeakiest belt ever made!! I also need the theme tune as my ringtone, love that

[@lancealrick6898]

Loved Cruden Bay, Dornach, and Brora on my only trip to Scotland.

[@liljackypaper]

Soly has a smooth driver swing

[@bradpelman2295]

My favourite part about Brora is that each of the par 3's face a different direction, North, South, East and West! a magical place. Did you guys have a dram at Dornoch Castle? Can hardly wait for that ep next time.

[@banditbaker1675]

Great vid Guys

[@jahjack]

Brora is a fabulous track. The par 3 18th is special - the whole clubhouse can watch you completely botch your tee shot.

[@828ccm]

Soly walking away in disgust when the 8 Club-Club is discussing set makeup cracks me up.

[@whowd]

Deej, Sarazen put that bouncy flange on the bottom of the sand wedge for a reason! #ExposeTheBounce

[@ericsonmickey]

Digging the BMW Champs vest @soly

[@paulwemhaner9343]

My favorite sound from this episode is DJ's shoes at 10:03 and 10:07 coupled with Randy's mouth breathing. lol ;)

[@Chea]

I bought the hyperlite bag because of this series. One thing I'm wondering is what to do with my towel when the ground is wet haha.

[@8lowsy-313]

10:04 - 10:10 DJ’s golf swing creaking?! 😂

[@mschein10]

Don't think DJ has ever hit a shot in his life that didn't sound thin off the face

[@LoCoAde87]

7.43 had me lmao.

[@greebytime]

Is the article going to ever reappear on the website? Would love to read up on Brora and Coul Links. I think it was there, then the website crashed, and when it came back, no more....

[@jacksonhilton7]

I need to go to Scotland now ...

[@dcshred2]

Haha solid phish reference ⭕️

[@davislong1860]

Sko Buffs! Tron repping

[@FluffJammin]

In the Farmhouse things will be alright...

[@gtaylor9218]

I wish my navy blue nlu hat looked the same shade of navy as solys here...I have to look hard..or wear a black shirt to really easily tell it's not black..which is tough for sure

[@georgepotter4076]

Did DJ get out of any bunker first time?

[@thehitman86]

So that’s where Malcolm went after he left the driving range in Milngavie!

[@anthonymiller472]

I got way too much joy out of DJ dropping and then coming up a foot short and rolling into the bunker Also, really would have liked to see a knee drop there DJ. For content

[@Dyn_Doug]

I grew up about 10 miles from the proposed Coul Links course and would have been happy for it to have been approved and it absolutely would have brought more money to the area from tourists but I can understand why it was rejected after the issues with Trump's golf course. My local course is 9 holer at Bonar Bridge, about 20 minutes from Dornoch and it was voted the most scenic 9 hole course in Scotland.

[@69dirtydeed]

@nolayingup Tron is the lingo guy #filthy

[@michaelaconner4464]

Tron playing in regular Roshes?

[@9090footballpodcast]

Come play Enfield in London some time, another braid beauty

[@pendodave4661]

No no. Go to crews hill just down the road instead for a lesser known Harry colt classic... Even the unlikeliest corners of the UK are blessed with little gems like these. We forget how lucky we are sometimes.

[@9090footballpodcast]

Or come to both

[@9090footballpodcast]

Crews Hill is very nice

[@oldtommorris5502]

DJ needs to open his club face on the bunker shots.

[@FBPirate77]

Take your shoes off next time you want to test out an electric fence. Really makes you feel alive!

[@bryanford7637]

I just watched a couple of videos and was getting a feel for the channe, l Its classic "frat" golf which is what almost killed the game circa: Tiger. Good for Scotland and the people of the community for shutting that bs "cool" idea down. Go: "build a public motocross track in your back yard. It will be a blast," they say:

[@pizzahunter808]

Tron Angel Jimeneth?

[@freakerdk]

So the points between you guys, is that Stableford points?

[@golfhuge]

Randy mentally missing putts is so awful to see, yet I cannot stop laughing whenever it’s brought up.

[@gatorkidd4320]

What is your foursome's favorite golf game to play?

[@keithbowman5679]

Been a great series except for the Coul Links coverage. I am a keen golfer and work hard to develop and promote my club in East Lothian. Scotland does not need another exclusive championship course. The courses that rely on local memberships are the life blood of the game. I hope you retrieved the golf balls hit into Coul Links? Dumping plastic, rubber and whatever other materials a Pro V1 is made from into an area of Special Scientific Interest is vandalism.

[@daleschmitz5832]

That’s rich, I’ve seen more trash dumped around the local villages by the Scottish locals (even on your otherwise pristine beaches) that calling out the lads as vandals is crazy.

[@Kinlochbervie50]

@@daleschmitz5832 ah yes, a very American response, where famously people never 'dump their trash' on the ground.

[@daleschmitz5832]

Ok, Boomer 😘

[@Kinlochbervie50]

@@daleschmitz5832 😂 that's yer dinner oot

[@jackbritton4768]

I listen and watch a bit of your content. I am curious why there's never a mention of the low-key Nike shoe sponsorship. Is it in the contract to never discuss?

[@DJPiehowski]

Haha, no shoe deal! We all just happened to get the same media gift box and wear them because we like them. You know we're going to be transparent on what's paid for!

[@sssamcz]

@@DJPiehowski unfortunate squeak to them which sounds like a little queef on your follow through!

[@alexb8845]

Randy’s swing. At 11:30 might be the worst one I’ve ever seen

[@leepaton6800]

Yeah fuck Coul Links. For many many many many reasons

[@Tartan]

Loved the series. Didn't like your decision to enter into the Coul Links controversy. I realise you have to pay for these videos somehow, but that wasn't the right thing to do.

[@DJPiehowski]

Tartan Thanks for the feedback. The Coul Links stuff was all done on our own with no sponsorship. (We always disclose when something is paid for.) It’s obviously a really complex subject, which were sensitive to, but it’s also a massive story regarding golf in the region and we wanted to make sure it was included so that people can get a feel for where the project is, what the site looks like and what the concerns/upside is. Thanks for watching!

[@Sendao9]

Is Soly a trust fund kid?

[@pendodave4661]

The coul stuff does not sit well with me. No problem with you selling Callaway and BMW cars, but this is not the same. Rich tourists advocate destruction of natural environment on already crowded and overdeveloped island to provide better hols is not a good look.

[@10sDPR]

Agreed. I even said to myself, out loud, "this is not what I came here for."

[@DJPiehowski]

Thanks for the feedback. This segment of the episode was in no way sponsored. (We always disclose when something is.) Obviously it’s a complex issue, and we’re sensitive to the concerns, especially as outsiders, but it’s also a huge storyline in golf and that region and we wanted to bring (both sides or the issue) to viewers hoping to learn more about the region.

[@NoLayingUp]

Do not agree in any way with your summation of what you viewed. We presented both sides of the debate, and were extremely sensitive to the "Not Coul" side. We listed the reasons why they believe it shouldn't be built, that they were likely extra guarded due to how Aberdeen went, and interviewed Scottish people for their perspectives. Even went out of the way to point out that, of course as a golfer I would love this course to be built, but we're miles from having any say in the project, and we SHOULDN'T have any say in it. You are correct in saying that this is not the same as us selling Callaway and BMW, because it isn't anywhere close. As DJ notes, this was in no way sponsored.

[@jonesporty]

@@NoLayingUp Enjoyed it all, including the Coul part. I'm Scottish, from Wick so love the area. Don't agree with the new course- we're not exactly lacking for them, but every opinion is valued and the exposure you guys bring to the region- and Scottish golf- is totally coul. :-)

[@pendodave4661]

@@DJPiehowski thanks for the reply dj. The reason it sits so uncomfortably with me is that in your content you advocate a more enlightened approach to experiencing Scottish golf than many. Indeed, I've commented positively on your vids and on uk golf forums. This came across as a liitle off brand. Try to imagine the last piece of virgin Everglades being developed by foreign interests and other foreign interests having nuanced and considered discussions about it. You might feel a little sore... Other than that, keep up the good work!

[@3232jrob]

Coul links? Isn't that how golf started? Rich people taking over land to play on for thir golf club? Just don't make it private. I absolutely hate! Private courses.

[@BM-tk1cn]

22:40 who would trust trump?

[@patrickmorgan4006]

Who would trust anyone?

[@kkjjncxg6912]

Build the course. Too hell with the environment