Golf may famously have been described as a ‘good walk spoiled’ but you certainly don’t need me to tell you just how popular the sport is. Whether you’re enjoying a round with your mates, or are just squeezing a quick game in after work by yourself, it’s a great pastime and is surprisingly addictive, especially when you’re playing well.

The reason why I’m talking to you about golf today is down to the fact that golf and whisky have more in common than a lot of people realise. Here in the UK, we’re fortunate enough to have some of the most amazing courses in the world. Without question, many of these are found in Scotland, oftentimes a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most famous distilleries.

One of the reasons why I love golf is the fact that it’s one of the few sports out there where it is deemed socially acceptable to enjoy a few drams as you play. In fact, a wee snifter or two can arguably help you to play better, providing that’s all it is.

If you’re counting down the months until golf season is once again upon us, here are some of the best ways to enjoy a dram on the golf course.

Pair Your Dram with Your Surroundings

The first tip I’ve got for you today is to simply find a dram and pair it to your surroundings. What do I mean by this? Basically, find one that matches the aesthetic and environment you find yourself playing in.

Many of Scotland’s most popular and famous links courses for example, are coastal. Courses such as Carnoustie, Crail, and of course, St Andrews are located by the coast and offer spectacular views of the countryside and out to sea.

Of course, rugged, weathered, coastal locations can evoke images of Islay, meaning smoky, peaty drams are ideal on coastal courses. Not only that, but with those bitter winds coming in off the coast, these courses can get chilly, so a harsh and smoky dram of Laphroaig or Ardbeg should definitely warm your cockles.

Speyside by contrast, is renowned for its lush green countryside and woodland. If you’re playing a particularly rural course, a punchy, fruity, sherry monster from Speyside will go down an absolute treat.

Go Steady with Cask Strengths

Even if you can handle your booze, if you want to play the best golf possible, I don’t recommend a cask strength.

Cask strength whisky may taste divine, but it’s also extremely strong and the last thing you want when you’re trying to sink a putt to shoot your lowest round ever is to be seeing double and barely able to stand.

To ensure you simply get a “wee glow” while playing, I recommend a relatively low ABV dram such as a Balvenie or Macallan if you’re really feeling fancy. Save the cask strengths for when you get into the club house or back to your sofa.

Drink from a Hip Flask

Not too long ago, I wrote about whisky and hip flasks so feel free to check that out if you feel so inclined. In that particular piece, I wrote about how hip flasks are ideal for use outdoors for things such as camping, fishing, hiking, and of course, golfing.

Although it may be tempting to simply swig your whisky straight from the bottle on the golf course, as golf is considered a gentleman’s sport, it is far more civilised to drink your whisky from a hip flask instead.

Before you head out to the course, take your hip flask (cleaned and sterilised beforehand of course) and carefully fill it with your favourite whisky. Hip flasks are perfect for the golf course as they’re refined and sophisticated, as well as being subtle and discreet. Take it from me, if you pull out a bottle of Johnnie Walker and start glugging it straight from the bottle, you’re going to get some funny looks. If you slip a leather-clad silver hip flask from your pocket and take a nip before teeing off however, nobody is going to bat an eyelid.

As far as which hip flask you go for, I, and multi-award-winning Master Distiller Stephanie Macleod, recommend a smaller hip flask. It may be tempting to go with an oversized flask to fit more whisky in, but larger flasks allow for more air to get into the headspace. This will affect the overall quality of the whisky. If a small flask just isn’t enough, you can always fill a second, though be sure to pass it around and share with others to avoid getting drunk.

Always Drink Responsibly

Finally, without sounding like a bore, I have to mention how important it is to drink responsibly, regardless of the setting.

Golf is a sport where friends can get together and have a few drinks during a game, but like everything else, it’s important to know your limits and to drink responsibly. Whisky is strong stuff, so it doesn’t take much to have an effect.

Drinking too much will not only put you, and others, at risk, but it will also affect your game. The last thing you want is to shoot a quadruple bogey on an easy par 3, so be sure to drink responsibly and know your limits. Whisky while golfing isn’t about getting drunk, it’s about combining things together that you’re passionate about.

Before you hit the course, I recommend a good breakfast. Drinking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster, so lining your stomach beforehand, and drinking plenty of water in between, will help ensure you don’t succumb to the alcohol.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.