Scotland Golf Bible

A guide to green fee value for money

Category: Heathland (Page 1 of 7)

181. The Carrick. 22 Mar 23.

April 28, 2026 /

Fake News – Trump wanted “The Carrick”

Value – 4 / 5

The King Robert the Bruce course at Trump Turnberry was to be named “The Carrick”, but dropped after a legal challenge. Perhaps fake news? “The Carrick” remains the name of Cameron House’s premier golf course, set on the banks of Loch Lomond. A just outcome, given the designer is Doug Carrick, one of Canada’s most prolific architects with a CV of 100 courses.

The halfway boat enhances the contrast between ‘lowland’ to ‘highland’ holes.

Cameron House is a 5 star resort, less than an hours drive from central Glasgow. However, a word of warning. This is not Gleneagles, so be prepared for the swimming pool filled with screaming children, plus the only quiet restaurant may be the fine dining one!

The Carrick’s ‘lowland’ could be called Wetlands, on display at the par 3 2nd

The Carrick is really 2 courses; the front 8 “Lowland” holes are flat parkland weaving around a pond which is in play on several holes, the 10 “Highland” holes could then be a homage to James Braid’s “East Ren“, an undulating piece of ground, with views of Loch Lomond.

The 8th, ‘Glen Fruin’, is a monstrous par 5, and the toughest hole on the outward nine.

The course had several mediocre holes, but complimented by a few brilliant ones, none less than the stroke index one 11th, played uphill – the mixture of fairway and greenside bunkering is superb, testimony to Carrick’s design experience. The conditioning was a touch tired in places, albeit the recent wet weather probably played a part. Nonetheless the bunkers were well presented.

The SI one 11th played “into the glen” needs three good shots to give a chance of par.

Combined with the scenery, this could be spectacular on a late summer day with the hills in bloom. One thing worth mentioning was the proximity to the A82 west highland arterial route so road noise will be a factor in the height of summer.

The ‘Signature” ‘Tappit Doon’ par three 14th, a 2 to 3 club drop.

In the very strong winds, gusting at 40mph, I played one of my rounds of the year to score 95. My par on the long par 4 third hole being the highlight.

Shades of ‘East Ren’ abound (here at the 13th) on the Highland part of The Carrick.

I paid £54.99 through GolfNow to play on a windswept day with the ground pretty saturated in places. The course was fully in play. It still represented decent value as this is an interesting course with great variety and picturesque surroundings. The Summer price of well over £100 is a little steep in my opinion.

My recommendation would be to seek out a twighlight or a Golfnow “Hot deal”, if you get one go and play this “tale of two halves” course.

Cameron House Apartments overlook the 17th green, a 400 yard par 4.

Facts:

Round List Price £120. Actual Paid £55 through Golfnow.

Course/Slope Rating (gold) 70.3/122.

Course Type: Parkland & Heathland

Par 71  (4 par 5s, 9 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance (yellow): 6265 yards

Moly’s 95 was actually a good round in 40+mph winds on a wet course

180. Hilton Park. 21 Mar 23.

February 2, 2026 /

Ewan Grimes – What a Pro!

Value – 4/5

Golf in Scotland is a competitive market, so a friendly welcome is essential. Ewan Grimes, the recently appointed pro at Hilton Park, could not have been more hospitable to me. It made up for the miserably wet weather and golf course, which arguably should have been closed. At least that meant it was very quiet and took less than 3 hours to play.

The 17th at Hilton Park, a par 3 of 184 yards with common white and yellow tees.

Hilton Park, just outside Milngavie, is about 10 miles north of Glasgow City Centre, but feels much more remote. It is one of only 23 clubs in Scotland that has two or more 18 hole courses. Moreover, it is one of only 3 clubs with two heathland courses, the others being Gleneagles and Blairgowrie.

Moly putting on the 6th, the most difficult of the four par 3s.

I played both the Hilton Park and Allander courses in one day, which was a challenge given the undulating terrain. A buggy might be useful here. There are excellent views, including of the Glasgow skyline, something made easier by the loss of many trees in recent years due to storms.

The Hilton Park layout was much more demanding that its sister Allander course, but as a combination of courses they compliment each other really well.

The well bunkered par three 12th hole, the stroke index 18 hole.

The course routing was a little confusing and I ended up playing the 15th hole twice, having also played some of the Allander holes in the wrong order. I suspect the reason was the shortened winter course. It was so wet, I was the only player.

The 18th is a strong finish at this undulating course.

Sadly, winter greens were in operation on the majority of holes, but I was only charged £30 for both rounds via Golfnow, which was excellent value. Overall, the Hilton Park property is one of the best in Scotland, and worth checking out.

The par four 13th, at well over 400 yards, will play as a 5 for most.

I could really imagine being a member at Hilton Park as the overall package is incredible value. It would make for a great society day out.

Views of Glasgow from the 8th, a short par 4, Moly’s only birdie hole.

Price £45.

Discount: Golf Now, £15, against the Winter rate of £30.

Course Type: Heathland

Par 70 (2 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance:5446 (yellow)

Course Rating / Slope Rating (yellow) 67/127.

Moly’s Gross score: 85

Moly’s Hilton Park Scorecard, using mostly winter greens – 84

179. Hilton Park Allander. 21 Mar 23

October 10, 2024 /

I wish AI could extend to golf – honest!

Value – 4.5/5

This is my first blog written with AI assistance.

Nestled near the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow, the Allander course at Hilton Park Golf Club offers a rich blend of history and natural beauty. Opened in 1928 and designed by James Braid it represents a good example of Braid’s artistry of balancing challenge and fun.

The approach to the first, presents a typical view of this Allander course.

Set within an area of beautiful scenery of rolling hills and lush heathland greenery, full of flora and fauna, the course is nice just to walk around.

The par four 5th on the Allander course, fully justified as the Stroke Index 1 hole.

I was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the PGA Pro, Ewan Grimes, who went out of their way to make me feel welcome. His knowledge and welcome were second to none, along with his stories.

Moly teeing off at the 15th on the Allander course at Hilton Park, a mid iron par three.

The course was in good condition. However, the drainage seemed poor, which was unexpected given the heathland conditions. Given the conditions there were several winter greens in play, which was a disappointment.

The tree lines framed many holes, but in fact the fairways were quite generous. Here at the par three 17th.

One of two courses at Hilton Park, the Allander is very much the secondary, shorter course. It would be worth playing though on in a fine summer day.

The Allander 18th hole, a mid length par four, with the impressive clubhouse.

So what do I think of using AI? It created a very bland and flowery draft, which was frankly difficult to take seriously. Clearly influenced by Golf Club websites, full of standard phrases ‘course for all all abilities’, ‘challenge for all’, etc etc, after editing it left me with no more than 4 meaningful sentences.

Price £45.

Discount: Golf Now, £15, against the Winter rate of £30.

Course Type: Heathland

Par 69 (2 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance:5446 (yellow)

Course Rating / Slope Rating (yellow) 67/127.

Moly’s Gross score: 85

Moly’s scorecard, but with several winter greens

177. Blairgowrie Lansdowne. 2 Dec 2022.

July 25, 2024 /

Who was the Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne?

Value 3.5/5

Little did I know as a member of Landsowne Golf Club in Bath in the early 2000s, how influential the Lansdowne name was for one of Scotland’s finest golf properties – Blairgowrie.

First tee at the 1970s designed Lansdowne Course. A difficult and long par 4. Designers Peter Allis and Dave Thomas didn’t provide an “easy James Braid opener”.

All three courses at Blairgowrie Golf Club have at one time been called ‘Lansdowne’ after the Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne who initially leased land to the Club.

Fran playing into the par 3, 5th, green which was in great condition for a Winter’s day.

The current Wee Course, is where the original 9 hole “Lansdowne” course was. This was extended to 18 holes in 1927, but lasted only 3 years, when in 1930 another 9 holes were built and the new “Landowne” course opened, with the remodeled original 9 hole course becoming the Wee Course. In the 1970s, another 18 hole course was built, which became the current “Lansdowne”, with the1930s course renamed “Rosemount”, which is considered the “main” course.

The 10th, with well placed bunkering, a strong feature on this strong Lansdowne layout.

The history of how the three courses evolved in detail is brilliantly assessed by James Boon on Golf Club Atlas here. The initial designer was founding member, Major (Ret’d) Peter Chalmers, who had fought in Crimea in 1854 and was later wounded in action; he sought advice from both Old Tom Morris and Tom Dunn of the Dunn dynasty. A combination of Alister Mackenzie and James Braid did the late 1920s work, with Peter Allis and Dave Thomas creating the latest course. What is the collective noun I wonder for golf course designers? – ‘A bunker of architects?”

The 13th, where one can see the importance of missing on the right side of the green.

Like all the Blairgowrie courses, the course was in excellent condition, especially for a December day. In particular, the greens were fully in play and running true, meaning I holed most of my putts less than 6 feet. The greens themselves are less undulating than the Rosemount course, the latter being more influenced of course by Alister MacKenzie. The greenside bunkering is of professional layout standard, so best to ensure you stay out of them.

The pine avenue at the 17th on Lansdowne is characteristic of this fine property.

The course is tighter from the tee than its sister Rosemount layout, so consider a hybrid where distance allows. The tree lined fairways are well maintained so anything finding the trees means that balls are usually not lost.

Moly trying to get up and down on the last, a hole that will play more difficult that it’s SI 9 would suggest.

The excellent winter conditions meant the price of £25 is incredible value compared to the high season £140, perhaps it’s Scotland’s best winter discount?

Which brings me to a key question – just who was The Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne?

Round List Price £140. Actual Paid £25 (Winter rate).

Moly’s Score – 81 for 39 points (off 15)

Course/Slope Rating (winter) 69.0/125

Course Type: Heathland

Par 69  (15 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance (blue): c 5500 yards

Moly’s Lansdowne Scorecard- mats and forward tees, but still it’s an 81
The Winter Scorecard
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