Category: Heathland (Page 7 of 7)

30. Muir of Ord. 30th Aug 2015

September 11, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Nice course – play on Sunday after 3pm for best value golf in the area

Round £25. Par 67 (yellow). Value (out of 5) – 3.5

Muir of Ord is an interesting heathland course, about 13 miles north-west of Inverness close to the Beauly Firth. The course is bisected by the Inverness-Wick railway line, with the track being a significant hazard on several of the holes. I played on a Sunday afternoon, taking advantage of a fantastic standing offer of only £10 for a round after 3pm, which is very popular deal. On the basis of that price the value rating would have been 4.5, rather than 3.5 using the midweek standard price of £25.

The course was established in 1875 and is party laid out by James Braid. Apparently there has been several changes since Braid’s involvement, but the current layout has some great holes, many unchanged from Braid’s time.

The first 4 and last 3 holes are on one side of the railway line and are flat and almost links like, with the 5th through 15th on the other side, where the course is more undulating and very different in character.

The highlight for me was the 4 hole stretch from 11 to 14. The par 4 11^th, is the stroke index 1 hole, followed immediately by 2 very different par 3s, the 12^th is a hazard laden 200+ yard hole and the 13^th is a 100 yard hole with a 100 ft climb to a tricky green – the 14^th presents a very challenging drive with the railway line tight along the left of the hole. I suspect these 4 holes will heavily influence your card.

Another hole worth mentioning is the 4^th, with a drive and approach again both influenced by the railway.

The course was in beautiful condition when I played in August 2015, with the heather in full bloom, it would be worth playing at this time of year just for the floral colour. The tees in particular were very well maintained.

I played as well as I’ve done all season, chipping and putting very well, with several single putts in a gross 86, for 37 stableford points. I had an interesting 6 on the 14th, including playing out of a bush where my ball had come to rest about 2 feet off the ground! Happy day all round on this very nice course.

Why not pray for good weather after 3pm on Sunday!

Some Facts

Course Type: Heathland

Par 67 (13 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance (yellow) 5229 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 86

Stableford 37

Moly’s Muir of Ord Scorecard – 86, best for a while!

23. Auchterderran. 15th July 2015

July 16, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Good value golf on an interesting little course.

Summary: £10 for 9 holes, £12 for 18. Par 33. Value (out of 5) – 3

Nice views from Auchterderrans 6th green

Although Auchterderran golf course, located in the Fife village of Cardenden, was established in 1904, in many ways it feels a younger, less mature course. It is one of 7 courses managed by the Fife Golf Trust which was established in 2011 to take over Fife Council’s directly managed courses. This is becoming a common practice by Local Authorities in Scotland to manage golf courses.

The devilishly difficult long par 3 5th, “Burma Road”

It’s a nice layout in the space available, with a good mix of holes. This is a course for all, with some are pretty straightforward holes, but the 3rd, 5th and 8th are potential card wreckers that will challenge the low handicap player.

3rd green looking down fairway

The long par 3 5th, at 241 yards, called Burma Road, is a very tough par 3, which for most golfers should be played as a 4. It has a small green, and out of bounds down the left. A bogie 4 is a good score in my book. Another tip, which I did not follow (meaning 2 lost balls) was playing safe on the 8th, which has a narrow gap at driving length. Given another chance I would have played a 7 iron off the tee.

2nd green towards adjacent water (not in play on course)

The course is maintained by volunteer members and therefore the condition is not great, but then again the price is very reasonable, so it still represents good value golf. The fairways in particular need a lot of work, but the greens were good and true.

The people I met were very friendly. It’s worth a game, if you have an hour or 2 to spare on your travels.

Key Facts

Course Type: parkland

Full Green Fees:

Par 33 (0 par 5, 6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance (yellow) 2318 yards

Moly’s Gross score:

Moly’s Auchterderran 9 hole scorecard – 46

20. Wee Braids. 3rd July 2015

July 7, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Wee Course – Massive Views

Summary: Midweek £22 (round) £12 (9 holes); weekend £23.25/£12.50 . Par 33. Value (out of 5) – 3

Detail:

Edinburgh views beyond the 6th green of the Wee Braids Course

The “Wee Braids”, sometimes know as the “Princes Course”, is a 9 hole golf course run by Edinburgh Council. It is on Braids Hill, on the south side of Edinburgh, accessed from the city via Morningside Road. It shares the hill with several golf courses, although it is the highest one, perched on top, which makes for quite magnificent views of Edinburgh and the Forth Estuary. Indeed, it’s worth starting any Edinburgh holiday with a round here to orientate you to the city and area: with the many restaurants and cafes of Morningside there is plenty to do for non-golfing partners.

Approach to 1st at Wee Braids

It’s a very tricky little course, with several of the tee shots and approach shots being blind, therefore its especially difficult if you only play 9 holes without any local knowledge as I did – plus it was not accessible from my golfshot mobile application, my trusty golfing companion.

5th approach at Wee Braids

The course itself, was in good condition. It is part parkland, part heathland on the upper slopes, with very dry fairways and greens, making for great difficulty getting your ball to stay on the greens.

The first 2 holes are difficult, being uphill, with the first being the SI 1 hole, and the second played through a thin channel to a very small green. The blind drive on the 5th is a particular challenge if the wind is off the left.

Wee Braids 8th green

The 8th, played through an avenue of trees, demands a straight drive; my recompense for hitting into the trees was finding about 5 balls, but not my own!

I had a bad start with an 8 at the first, then after some steady holes, a 7 and 8 and the 7th and 8th respectfully, made for a fairly miserable 50, versus the par 33.

Nonetheless, a nice little course, well worth a visit.

Key Facts

Course Type: parkland/heathland

Green Fees:

Round (18 holes):
Weekday (£16.50 (concession) £22.00)
Weekend (£17.35 (concession) £23.25

9 holes:
Weekday (£9.00 (concession), £12.00)
Weekend (£9.35 (concession), £12.50)

Par 33 (0 par 5, 6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance(white) 2390 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 50

Moly’d Wee Braids Scorecard – 50

7. Blairgowrie “Wee” 9 hole; Wed 8th Jan 2014

January 10, 2014 / Moly McMillan / 0 Comments

Avoid Wednesdays and Saturdays!

Summary: Cost £10 (winter). Par 32. Score 43. Value (out of 5) – 3.5.

Detail. Blairgowrie has a population of 8000, it has some quaint but dated shops, certainly no high street coffee branded shops here. It does however have a fine golf club with 3 courses, 2 of which are listed amongst the very best in the world, laid out by the renowned James Braid! Blairgowrie epitomises the wonderful conundrum of Scottish golf.

The weather looked good and I set off after being advised during a quick telephone call that the Lansdowne course was free for several tee times around mid-day. However, as it turns out, Wednesday and Saturday are the days traditionally the members play en mas, and when I arrived the tee times were taken. I therefore settled for playing the Wee Course, and it turned out fine. But the message for visitors is avoid Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“The Wee”, is a lovely little 9 hole course (5 par 4s, and 3 par 3s), with ample lush fairways (they get their fair share of rain in Blairgowrie!) set in very mature woodland. Other than the 416 yard 8th, the par 4s are short and require accuracy, not length, from the tees, especially as some are dog legs where a driver will out-run of fairway. The bunkers have soft sand and were well raked, and the greens were big for a 9 hole layout.

The 2nd hole, a dog leg right, has a green protected by 2 magnificent trees making the approach an interesting challenge. Much easier to play in winter with less leaves!

2 trees guarding the 2nd green

However, the most intriguing hole was the par 3 7th, where you must trust your yardage as there is an unseen valley full of bunkers in front of the green.

Hidden Greens in front of 7th green

I had a disaster on the par 3 4th, where I pulled both tee shots well left, and ended with a 7. That actually sums up Blairgowrie – stay out of the trees to have any chance of scoring well. I look forward to tackling the Rosemount and Lansdowne courses, both championship quality.

News of the Day: Dennis Rodman, the US former basketball player, has apologised for angry comments he made about a US man detained in North Korea. Rodman is the most high-profile American to meet the young North Korean leader Kim Jong-un , who he describes as a friend. Bizarre!

Key Facts

Course Type: Heathland

Green Fees:

May – Sep; £30.00 per day; Winter £10 for 9, or £15 for 18.

Par 32 (5 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance: 2373 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 43

Blairgowrie “Wee” scorecard

Category: Heathland (Page 7 of 7)

30. Muir of Ord. 30th Aug 2015

Par 67 (13 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

23. Auchterderran. 15th July 2015

Par 33 (0 par 5, 6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

20. Wee Braids. 3rd July 2015

Par 33 (0 par 5, 6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

7. Blairgowrie “Wee” 9 hole; Wed 8th Jan 2014

May – Sep; £30.00 per day; Winter £10 for 9, or £15 for 18.

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