Category: Highland (Page 3 of 4)

9 hole course in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Trail – suggest you play before you tipple.

Summary:  £20 (18 holes). ; £15 (9 holes) Par 35.  Score 48.  Value (out of 5) – 2.5

Detail;  This is a nice course especially if you are holidaying in the highlands and just “fancy a game”.  Although potentially classed as a “highland” course, its has a typical “parkland” feel, without any of the characteristic heather found on other highland courses.

The course sits to the North above the village of Rothes, and is close to many of the local distilleries which make up the famous “whisky trail”.  Indeed, it’s just a couple of miles from “The Macallan”, often cited as one of the great single malts.

As to the course, it is on a fairly exposed bit of land, so check the weather forecast for the wind and rain forecast.  A north easterly wind in particular, which is what I faced , makes the first 2 holes up a slight hill very formidable, with out of bounds done the left.  My main tip is to forego length on the first 2 holes and get it on the fairway.

The fine 3rd hole, probably the course signature – beware the hidden ditch

The 3rd hole, the first played downhill, is one of those holes that is more difficult from the yellow tee (played as a par 4), rather than the white tee (played as a par 5).  Watch out for the hidden ditch which will catch a well hit drive from the yellow.

The fairways and greens were well kept and in good condition for the time of year.  There is a nice clubhouse with bar and snacks available.

My main gripe with Rothes is the relatively expensive cost of just wanting to play 9 holes – £15 versus £20 for 18 holes.  I think these highland course depend on the holiday golfer for

The short 6th – one of the better birdie opportunities

income and often holidaymakers just want to have a 9 hole round.  Perhaps a fee around 60% of the full fee is more appropriate.

Nonetheless, don’t let that put you off playing, between visits to the local distilleries.  It has some lovely open views of the countryside to make your round enjoyable.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fees:   18 holes £20, 9 holes £15  (All week)

Par 35 (1 par 5, 6 par 4s, 2 par 3s)

Distance(yellow): 2472 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 48

Moly’s Rothes Scorecard – Disastrous start an understatement!

A seducing Scottish golfing experience on a classic Highland 9 hole course – but always take your waterproofs no matter what the forecast says!  

Summary:  £22 (day), £15 (9 holes).  Par 36.  Score 46.  Value (out of 5) – 3.5

Detail: Golf has been played for well over a hundred years at Carrbridge, but the current course was recovered in 1980 after a period in the wilderness.

It’s difficult not to fall in love with Carrbridge golf course as it represents a classic Highland course.  It’s short, thereby allowing golfers to feel long drivers of the ball; the greens and fairways are fantastic because even in the warmest summer you usually get enough rain to make the course play well; it’s completely unstuffy and accessible, welcoming players of all standards; and most importantly…..well just play it late in the day on your own while taking in the scenery and pondering your life and you’ll just never want to stop!

Golf in the Highlands requires you to bring your sense of humour

I played the day after the local Open Championship had been washed out, but the course had almost completely recovered and was playing its full length.  It was only 11 Celsius, but the sun was shining on this August day when I set off, only to have the umbrella up and waterproofs on after my opening drive!  Always carry your wet weather gear, no matter what the forecast might say.

Carrbridge is a great layout, with 9 very contrasting holes, with the burn (stream for the non-Scots) being in play on most of them.  I would recommend playing 18 holes, rather than just 9, as 5 of the holes, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th and 9th, require “blind” shots over some carry.  These holes seem much easier when you’ve navigated them once.  The 9th, a par 4, plays as the par 3 18th hole off a forward tee, avoiding a long walk up a steep track to the 9th tee.

The 4th Tee, with the gap to the fairway directly behind the 3rd Green…Watch Out!

The 4th hole from the white tee, represents a hazardous drive for both the player and anyone near the 3rd green, as you play directly over the 3rd green through a small gap in trees.

7th green looking back to tee – take 2 extra clubs to the elevated green

It’s important to take enough club at the 2nd, 4th, and 7th all which have shots to plateau greens, and are typically large and fairly flat.

Par 3 8th – Take enough club

There is only one real par 3, the 8th, which is a challenging hole, and again it’s best to be long so take enough club.

Carrbridge also has a lovely little clubhouse, which looks like a pavilion, and it’s a super place to sit and have tea and cake, even if you’re not paying golf, indeed this is one of the secrets of Highland golf clubs – they are great venues to just have a cup of tea and the ubiquitous “millionaire’s shortbread”!

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the heather – it looks great, especially in late August and September, but you might end your round hating it!

Key Facts

Course Type: Highland

Green Fees:   Day £22. 9 holes £15

Par 36 (1 par 5, 7 par 4s, 1 par 3)

Distance(white): 2720 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 46

Carrbridge Scorecard – the 9th (par 4) and 18th (par 3) have different tees