James Wilson

My 10 favourite golf courses in the Home of Golf 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #golftravel #golfscotland #golftips #golfswing

I took 11 friends on the best golf trip of their lives to the Scottish Highlands, here’s everything we got up to: 🏡 settle into our accommodation at Kellas House, part of an estate near Elgin that dates back to the 1700s 🏆 draw names to decide on the Ryder Cup teams for the week, start talking strategy ⛳️ Golf @covesealinks a family run 9 holer nestled in the bay just west of Lossiemouth. It’s likely you’ll bump into the very man who built the course. Bagpipes on the first tee optional. 🛖 18 holes @nairngolfclub for our bucket list tee time of the trip. Traditional links at its finest, punctuated by one of the most iconic halfway houses in the game. 🍸 Drinks at the newly owned @boathhouse , a 19th century manor that now operates as a hotel and retreat for creatives. 🥘 Dinner at the Kimberley Inn by the riverside in Findhorn, followed by a few beers under the sunset. 🏌️‍♂️ 36 holes @moraygolfclub1889 with morning foursomes on the New and afternoon fourball on the Old. Proper Scottish winds, proper Scottish links. 🐟 A well earned dinner back at HQ prepared by a local private chef: scallops and black pudding, chicken supreme and lemon tart. Perfection. 🏜️ Onwards to the unique @cullenlinks where the course winds along the cliff top before plunging towards a collection of ancient sandstone red rocks. Think you and your friends would enjoy a trip like this? Comment OFFTRACK and I’ll be in touch. #golftrips #golfscotland #golfadventure #golfswings

This was the best golf trip I went on in 2024: Me, my Dad and my brother drove the North Coast 500, playing every golf course along the way. 🦅 Golspie A true Highland gem known for being evenly divided into links, heathland and parkland 🌼 Helmsdale A community run course that sits in the valley surrounded by blooming gorse, short and quirky. 🏡 Wick A championship course laid out in the late 1800s, a true challenge with an epic back nine that hugs the dunes. 🦌 Thurso The northern most golf course on the British mainland, a playable and well kept heathland parkland mix. 🌊 Reay An authentic links that moves inland for the closing 9, a charming clubhouse with amazing views across the bay. 🏖️ Durness One of my favourite golf experiences of the year, like playing golf in Lord of the Rings. Massive undulation changes, amazing views and dramatic lochs. 🛖 Gairloch A short 9 holer squeezed into the bay, huts and solitary pines guide you round before the climax along the coastline. #manors #golftravel #golfscotland

In June last year @connorsyme secured his maiden victory on the DP World Tour at the KLM Open in Amsterdam. This might have been the first time Connor made it onto golf’s front page, but his breakthrough win was a culmination of over a decade of success: The 2016 Australian Amateur title alongside low qualifier honours at the same year’s British Amateur Championship played a part in seeing him rise to a high of number 8 on the Amateur World Rankings. His form confirmed his selection for the St Andrews Trophy and the following year’s Walker Cup at LACC. Amateur success doesn’t always translate to the pro ranks, but this time it did, and quickly. Connor shot 4 rounds in the 60s in his European Tour debut at the 2017 Portugal Masters to finish T12. No imposter syndrome here. 2 years later he claimed his first professional victory at the Turkish Airlines Challenge and in 2022 finished runner up in back to back weeks on the UK swing of the DP World Tour. Such an impressive list of accolades made me wonder: would I have a chance at beating him in 18 holes of strokeplay if I took 4 mulligans? Find out how it went in Episode 1 of The Gap now on my YouTube channel. 📸 @campbell.ralia #golftravel #golfswing #golfscotland

What is the different between a +4 handicap and a DP World Tour Winner? Can 4 mulligans bridge the gap between a strong amateur golfer and the world’s best? It’s time to find out. Watch the full match with @connorsyme now on the @short.side YouTube channel. 🎥 ✂️ @bywilliamdownes #golfswing #golftravel #golfmatch #golfscotland

Lovely day @centurionclub for a day with @wilsongolf #golftravel #golfswing #golftips

People of Scotland: James Wilson, The Golf Explorer @short.side James Wilson’s connection to golf begins in Scotland, grounded in long days on links courses and the kind of conditions that demand adaptability. After years in the professional game, his focus has shifted, not away from golf, but deeper into it. Through writing, design and travel, he now explores the country’s lesser-known courses and the journeys that connect them. James also shares with us the lesser known golf courses that he recommends. Swipe through to read his suggestions. You can read the full interview with James online now via the link in bio. #hiddenscotland

Can a +4 beat a DP World Tour Winner with 4 mulligans? Find out tomorrow at 6pm on my YouTube channel #golftravel #golfswing #golfscotland

Back in May of 2012, Australian born Rhein Gibson was a 26 year old plying his trade on the mini tours of mid-west America. One damp Saturday morning he decided to head out for a round at his local course. He tallied off 6 birdies and 2 eagles to make the turn at -10, but he didn’t stop there… #golftravel #golfswing #golfstory

Comment who I should play next 50% strike rate on the handshakes ain’t bad aye @short.side 🤝 ⛳️ @bosch_hoek 👕 @manorsgolf

Not your standard golf trip #golftravel #golfswing #golfsa

Watch A Change of Course: KwaZulu-Natal now on the @manorsgolf YouTube channel. Here’s everything we did on our golf trip to KwaZulu-Natal: 🐄 Gowrie Farm Built on land dating back to the 19th century, the course references its Scottish roots with Road Hole style bunkers and Postage Stamp greens. 🌷 Bosch Hoek It’s clear to see why this is the country’s best 9 holer - a round here feels more like a walk through a pristine back garden. The nickname ‘The Augusta of the Midlands’ is fitting. 🦓 Luthuli Game Reserve We didn’t even have to leave the accommodation before laying eyes on giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. We watched elephants bathing at sunset and even caught site of a cheetah. 🏉 Durban Sharks vs Munster In the heart of Durban is their legendary club team who dished out a beating in front of their home crowd. The passion for rugby here is palpable. 🏆 Durban Country Club Officially the number 1 ranked golf course in all of Africa, DCC sits in a plot of land between the Indian Ocean and the bustling city. We took on multiple DP World Tour Winner Brandon Stone on the links. 🌳 Zimbali Lakes Ernie’s newest venture is an ambitious project just outside the city with golf at its heart. Generous hitting areas roll through undulating terrain. 👑 Prince’s Grant Winding through the bush and emerging by the coastline, Prince’s Grant is a perfect mix of challenge and entertainment. With wildlife all around and thought provoking tee shots, this is a must play. 🍛 Seabelle Durban is home to the biggest population of Indians outside of India - you’d be foolish not to sample a few curries. #golftravel #golfswing #golfsa #golftips