Scotland Golf Bible

A guide to green fee value for money

Category: 9 holes (Page 6 of 12)

80. Torphins. 25 June 2018.

August 5, 2018 /

Incredible value at this gem of a 9 hole course       

Round £10.   Par 32.  Value (out of 5) – 5

Torphins Golf Club is situated in Royal Deeside, in the village of the same name, 23 miles west of Aberdeen and 7 miles north-west of Banchory.   This 9 hole golf course was founded in 1891 and the club established in 1896.  I couldn’t find any record of the course designer or the course’s history, which is a real pity, as this really is a “Hidden Gem”, that oft-used but, so often, disappointingly flattering term.

My drive at the 9th at Torphins heading to the left of the fairway (but in play)

Torphins is an undulating parkland course with far reaching views of the countryside and it is worth going out of your way to play.  It actually has 10 greens, with the 3rd and 12th holes sharing the same teeing ground and fairway, but the 2 greens are separated by a copse of trees.

The lovely 3rd and 12th fairway from the common teeing ground at Torphins.

It is a great little golf course, with plenty of variation, and some really tricky holes.  There are 4 blind tee shots, one being the par 4 6th (SI 1), a tough dog leg left hole, which I should have taken driver from the tee, as the apex to the dog leg is further than in looks as it is quite uphill.

The greens were pretty small but in really excellent condition as were the fairways and tees.

Fran chipping at the short par 3 5th at Torphins. A bit of respite before the challenging 6th hole

Value:  whether as a member or as a visitor, Torphins represents incredible golfing value.  The 9 hole quoted rate was only £10, but my wife Fran and I payed only £7.50 each through the club website.  A Monday to Friday annual membership, allowing 9 holes per day, is only £90, with Junior memberships starting at £20.  This is 5 star value golf.

The 2nd, a short par 4, at Torphins – my birdie hole on the day.

An interesting fact – Macbeth was killed on 15 August 1057 only 3 miles from Torpins.  “What’s done cannot be undone”, sayeth Macbeth – that’s how I felt on the 7th after my 10, having lost 2 balls!  I still shot 17 point for the 9 holes.

Really enjoyable, highly recommended.

Facts:

Course Type: Parkland

Par 32 (white; 5 par 4s,  4 par 3s)

Distance: 2338 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 44

Torphins scorecard – 44 for 17 points (with a 7 and 10!)

78. Craggan. 22 June 2018.

July 12, 2018 /

Little more than a good “pitch and putt” with a few decent holes thrown in   

Round £15.   Par 27.  Value (out of 5) – 2

Craggan 9 hole golf course serves a great purpose as a nicely maintained facility in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, affording golf to complete beginners and holiday golfers.    In addition, as part of a commercial outdoors activity centre, with very many other activities on offer, it makes for a great day out for groups and families, where golf is only part of the plan for some or all.

The short 1st hole at Craggan, with typical surrounds on the “pitch n putt” holes

Having said all that, other than the 5th, 6th and 9th, the holes could be found on decent “pitch n putt” courses.   It’s true that it is difficult to play to your handicap for better golfers, but that is due mainly to some very small greens.

The nice 6th hole at Craggan – one of 3 good holes.

It does have very nice views to the surrounding Cromdale Hills and the Cairngorms, but the nearby River Spey is only momentarily in view (from the 4th green) and never really in play.

Several of the holes are not much more than 100 yards, but the 3 holes aforementioned are noteworthy.  The 6th (162 yards) and 9th (132 yards) being the most visually attractive and both with water in play in the form of small ponds (part of the fishing on offer).  The overall length is only 1269 yards.

The 9th – the best hole on Craggan in Moly’s opinion.

I didn’t strike the ball very well, and ended up with a 37, albeit I did enjoy the little course.   It was well maintained when I played, although the tees were sometimes non-distinct.

Price?  There is a bit of a premium for the National Park location, but this is not great value at £15 for 9 holes.  You need only to compare with other more established golf courses to see the over-pricing (e.g. Torphins is a great comparison).  I think no more than £10 for 9 holes is a more reasonable price.

Facts:

Course Type: Parkland

Par 27 (9 par 3s)

Distance: 1269 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 37

Moly’s scorecard at Craggan 9 hole par 3 course – 37

73. St Boswells. 10 Nov 2017.

November 28, 2017 /

Picturesque 9 hole course along the bank of the River Tweed      

Round £15.   Par 35.  Value (out of 5) – 3.5

St Boswells golf course is delightfully laid out on the bank of the River Tweed, which is  classed a “lateral water hazard”, in the village of the same name just off the A68 1 mile south of Newtown St Boswells in the Scottish Borders.   It is so close to the river that it might be appropriate to have a local rule forbidding the shouting of “fore”, which must on occasion disturb the many salmon fishermen on the river.

My playing partner Fran drives at the 3rd at St Boswells with the fisherman in the background a common sight on the Tweed.

The course was initially laid out by Open Champion William Park, who wrote ‘the turf resembles that found on seaside courses’.  Indeed, the course does have a slight heathland feel to the surroundings.

The 9th at St Boswells., a short par 4 of 256 yards to finish.

The course was in fact abandoned for 10 years between 1948 – 1958 due to a major river flood, and I couldn’t find out in what way the new layout the differs from the original Willie Park design.

Other than the slight uphill par 3 first hole, followed by the significant drop down to the signature par 3 second green, the course is very flat, unlike many of the courses in the Borders.

The signature 161 yard par 3 second hole, with the beautiful Borders countryside in the background.

This makes for an easy and most picturesque walk for holes 3 through 9.  The course is very favourable to a slicer of the ball, with the river tight along the left for holes 3 to 6, with trees lining the left for the return to the clubhouse from 7 to 9.   The greens were in good condition, albeit they are quite flat other than the 7th, a short par 5 hole, with a basin or saddle type green.

The 5th green at St Boswells with River Tweed awaiting!

The course was very soft when we played despite the high wind on the day, which meant plenty cleaning of muddy balls.  Overall the course had held up well to the recent weather with all greens still in play.

We only paid £5 for 9 holes, but the £15 summer green fee for 9 holes represents good value especially given the beautiful surroundings.   I had a fairly difficult day due to high winds, scoring 50 for only 12 stableford points – including 4 single putts (at 4, 7 and 9)!

Facts:

Course Type: Parkland

Par 35 (1 par 5, 5 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance (white): 2637

Moly’s Gross score: 50

Moly’s St Boswells scorecard – 50 for 12 points!

72. Crieff Dornock. 2nd Nov 2017.

November 3, 2017 /

Pleasant 9 hole course well suited to holiday or “warm up” golf     

Summary:  Round £12.   Par 32.  Value (out of 5) – 4

Crieff Golf Club’s main course, Ferntower, is one of Scotland’s highly regarded inland courses.  The other course, the 9 hole Dornock layout, benefits from the same fine clubhouse and facilities, green keeping staff and well stocked pro-shop, making this a first rate choice for a holiday round of golf if you have a couple of hours to spare.

The 9th green at Crieff’s Dornock course, with the clubhouse in the background.

The club was established in 1891, and Old Tom Morris designed the main course, but the Dornock course only opened in 1980.  The open and beautiful Perthshire parkland on which both courses sit was part of the Victorian Spa ground of the well known Crieff Hydro.  Crieff is the gateway town to The Trossacks and both manicured courses are just what one might expect to find here, a destination well worth visiting.

The par 3 8th hole, one of the more challenging holes on Crieff Dornock

The Dornock course is short, and other than the first hole where out of bounds encroaches on the right, the fairways are very generous, so there is no need to carry too many balls.  The greens are firm and very true and better than most 9 hole courses I’ve played.   The course runs along side the Ferntower course, with some adjoining fairways.

Fran getting out of the bunker at the 8th at Crieff Dornock

The course is made up of 5 par 4s and 4 par 3s, and it’s the latter holes that are the most challenging, since the par 4s are short and prove good par or birdie opportunities.  This was very welcome for me after my difficulties playing at Tain last week.  On the day, I shot 39, +7, and that included a lost ball (under leaves!) on the fairway at 7.

Moly on the 6th green at Crieff Dornock, with the typical beautiful parkland surrounding.

Dornock was in very good condition when I played, plus dowsed in glorious winter sunshine, with zero wind, which always helps keep the score down.

This course is highly recommended – it was only £5 for a winter 9 holes, and still good value at £12 for 9 holes in Summer.

Facts:

Course Type: Parkland

Par 32 (5 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (black): 2270

Moly’s Gross score: 39

Moly’s Crieff Dornock scorecard – 39 (7 over)

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