Happy International Dog Day! This is literally the dog day of August. And a fine occasion to share a bit more dog golfing heritage with an excerpt from a fine article “Are Dogs Allowed On Golf Courses: A Complete Guide”

History of Dogs on Golf Courses

Dogs have been used on golf courses for centuries. In the early days of golf, dogs were often used to help retrieve balls that had been hit into the rough. As golf courses became more manicured and formal, dogs were increasingly prohibited from entering. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards allowing dogs on golf courses.

One of the earliest references to dogs being used on golf courses comes from the 15th century. In his book “The Boke of St. Albans,” Dame Juliana Berners describes how dogs were used to retrieve balls that had been hit into the rough. Berners also notes that dogs were used to help keep rabbits and other pests away from golf courses.

In the 17th century, dogs continued to be used on golf courses. In his book “The Whole Art of Golf,” Robert Brown describes how dogs were used to help golfers find their balls and to retrieve balls that had been hit into the water. Brown also notes that dogs were used to help keep golfers warm during cold weather.

In the 18th century, dogs continued to be used on golf courses. However, as golf courses became more manicured and formal, dogs were increasingly prohibited from entering. This was due to a number of factors, including the fact that dogs could damage the grass on golf courses and that they could be a distraction to other golfers.

In the 19th century, the trend towards prohibiting dogs from entering golf courses continued. However, there were a few exceptions. For example, dogs were allowed on golf courses in Scotland, where they were used to help retrieve balls that had been hit into the heather.

In the 20th century, the trend towards prohibiting dogs from entering golf courses continued. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards allowing dogs on golf courses. This trend is due to a number of factors, including the fact that dogs are increasingly seen as being family members, and that many people want to be able to bring their dogs with them when they go golfing.

Our recent visit to the cow and cattle strewn course of Iona made us wonder just what other creatures besides dogs shared the fairways with golfers around the world. Not just serendipity encounters (like these – Golf Gone Wild: 13 Crazy Animal Encounters You Have to See – Exploring Animals), but more residents (like these – Top 7 golf courses for INCREDIBLE wildlife encounters around the world).

I’ve already reviewed the following UK examples:

· NEW FOREST – Horses

· IONA – Sheep

· RICHMOND – Deer

Bit of research uncovered the following additions to the menagerie:

• SKUKUZA, Kruger Park, South Africa – No fences so lions, elephants, baboons, hippos, crocodiles, and antelope roam the fairways and you must sign a waiver before playng.
• ANGLESEA, Victoria, Australia – Home to over 300 eastern grey kangaroos.
• HANDARA, Bali, Indonesia – Long-tailed macaques who are not shy about searching golf bags for snacks.
• TPC SAWGRASS, Florida, USA – Gator land which is popularly featured on many Instagram posts
• ELEPHANT HILLS, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – In addition to its eponymous elephant residents, you will also encounter warthogs, impala, baboons, and guinea fowl.
• FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS, Alberta, Canada – Elk (don’t expect quiet from them during your putting or driving during the rutting season).
• MAUNA LANI, Hawaii, USA – Protected green sea turtles (honu) bask on lava rocks near the 15^th hole.
• FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER, British Columbia, Canada – Black bears and grizzlies are known to pass though in the summer especially near wooded areas.

Iona is an absolutely legendry golf course which is a true experience to play. But the exceptionality of the play is piqued by the unprecedented degree of “hazards” literally sprinkled throughout the course.

• Water – The biggest water hazard in the UK – the Atlantic Ocean – is the least of your worries as the course is set over 100 yards off of it (still makes for a lovely vista).
• Sand – The course does feature the biggest, nastiest sand trap I have ever come upon. A sprawling, malignant monstrosity perched on a steep incline to boot.
• Visibility – Our hole course, Temple GC, has a famous 10^th hole with a blind par 3 into a 200 yard crater so deep that you can see the flag in it. That hole is nearly ALL of Iona. I wonder if this topology is to minimize the impact of the course on the spectacular sea views by eliminating the visibility of most of the flags? There are poles to guide your drives in the general direction of the hidden flag, but many were knocked over by the wind I assume. A scorecard with map is a must (which you buy at the local Post Office for £1…the course’s primary source of income), but even then finding your next hole is a bit of a treasure hunt, especially if…
• Sheep –Not just obstacles to avoid hitting, but also were cuddled around the Hole 2 tee marker so we couldn’t find it (see photo)
• Flowers – Purple or pink balls are recommended as lots of white and yellow flowers and clumps of white sheep wool further add to the scavenger hunt feel of a round (see photo)
• Natural Fertilizer – This you won’t have any trouble finding. But you will struggle to avoid. We played our own personal rule that you got to move away from poo instead of sending it flying.

So why would one want to put up with so many impediments?

• Creatures – For those so included, the creature caddies provide a distinctive and fun vibe to the day.
• Chipping Practice – The course essentially thin greenery on beach sand which is quite drenched in many places. So there are no real “fairways” and even the concept of a “green” is questionable. So it is nearly 5k of chipping and light rough practice in challenging conditions.
• Scenery – Not just the expansive ocean, but the curious, rocky, distinctly Scottish undulating topology
• Challenge – All of these idiosyncrasies add up to a unique challenge for the jaded golfer.

Golf Links described it as, “Golf in its purest form.”

And for the standard 4 course assessments…

Welcome – Well, there is no welcome at all as there is no clubhouse. Just a sign on the front gate (see photo) advising to have dogs on leads (for the sake of the ubiquitous livestock).

Walk – One would think it is flat, but holes. Lots of blind holes. And they are made blind by the quite dramatically undulating landscape which involves its share of inclines to hike.

Water – Ironically so Scotland – land of rivers, waterfalls and lochs – there was no fresh water anywhere to be seen (aside from an ever-present ocean), so bring some for hot days.

Wildlife – Sheep!!! And occasionally cattle (see photo) and the various sea birds.

Wind Down – Every pub and restaurant in Iona appears to be dog friendly. We had a delightful meal at the Argyll Hotel down the road from us by the pier. The black raspberry & cherry ice cream from Iona the menu was simply some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had in the UK.

Happy National Caddie Day! And a special call out to the new breed of canine caddies who can find balls in the rough and even cart bags (see above), but most of all just provide the most encouraging, positive, non-judgmental course partner that you could ever ask for.