Category: 9 holes (Page 8 of 12)

56. Portobello. 25th Oct 2016.

November 4, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Easy walking 9 hole public course – but a no rake policy!

Round £9.30. Par 32. Value (out of 5) 1.5

Portobello is a short 9 hole pay-for-play course operated by Edinburgh Leisure, which manages 6 golf courses on behalf of Edinburgh Council; an annual 7-day membership to play all courses costs around only £400 – excellent value. However, Edinburgh Leisure’s pricing policy, with all courses priced the same on a pay-per-play basis, makes Portobello very poor value compared with the other more substantial courses (e.g. Braid Hills) on offer. That is a great shame.

1st green at Portobello, with good view of Arthur’s seat over this flat course.

It is a short, open and easy walking course of only 2566 yards, with some excellent views of Arthur’s seat, one of Edinburgh’s signature landmarks.

There is however little variation on this course, with only a couple of playing highlights of note. The 6th approach shot over a bunker some 40 yards in front of the green provides a distance judgment challenge, with the green being one of the few sloping ones. The signature hole is the long par 3 9th at nearly 200 yards and requiring a fairway wood for most I suspect.

Approach at the 6th at Portobello

The only memory of the club which will endure was the chat I had with the starter attendant, who explained the policy of not leaving rakes in the bunkers, due to the theft risk. This is a great shame, and I concluded that a better policy might be to at least put the rakes out in the morning and then take them in when the starter box closes.

The signature 9th at Portobello

The greens were in OK condition, but the tees were poor, and of course the bunkers at the mercy of the previous occupant.

Overall, a good course to learn on, or if you’re looking for a quick 9 holes.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

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

Distance yards: 2566

Moly’s Gross Score: 44

Moly’s Portobello scorecard – 44 (12 over)

51. Ballindalloch Castle. 11th Sep 2016.

September 16, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Creatively ambitious Highland Estate course with single malt 19th hole

Round £15(9)/£25(18). Par 36(72). Value (out of 5) 4.

Ballindalloch Castle golf course is 14 miles north east of Grantown on Spey and sits alongside the River Avon not far from it’s confluence with the River Spey. The Castle has been the home of the Macpherson-Grant family since it was finished in 1546; the golf course is a little younger, having been designed by 2 of the more prestigious designers around, Donald Steel and Tom MacKenzie, in 2002-3. They obviously work well together, having also designed the well regarded Carnegie layout at Skibo Castle – maybe they just like castles?

Approach to the 1st (Par 5) or 10th (Par 4) – a difficult green to reach in regulation.

The resulting golf course, with views of hills and birch woods, is a rather marvelous and pleasantly surprising layout at 6417 yards from the white tees. Although a “9 hole” course, there are 18 tees, with many of the tee combinations significantly altering the front and back 9s – I would strongly recommend playing 18 holes to appreciate the architectural cleverness of this Steel and MacKenzie design.

The magnificent 4th / 13th at Ballindalloch Castle – here showing the 2nd shot view.

The effect of the different tees, is exemplified straight away with the 1st playing as a par 5 at 488 yards, but the 10th as a par 4 at 405 yards – however, the westerly prevailing wind make both holes very difficult. The tees at the 5th/14th are 100 yards apart, with the 14th playing as a near 90 degree dog leg right. Arguably most stark is the par 3 7th/16th, where I suspect most players need at least a rescue club on the 7th, but only a wedge on 16th; the holes are 70 yards different in length.

The 7th/16th green (here showing the 16th tee view)

As I played around this very ambitious project for a highland estate, I was struck with how fitting the course adds to the colourful history of the castle, which is the original home of the Black Watch, the oldest of the Highland regiments, and also the place where Captain W.E. Johns wrote many of his Biggles stories.

View from behind the 7th/16th green at Ballindalloch

View from behind the 8th/17th green at Ballindalloch

The course was in excellent condition when I played, which I suspect might be helped by the relatively small number of members and players the course attracts. I guess it’s because not many people want to travel too far “just for 9 holes”. I think they are making a big mistake – this must be one of the best 9 hole courses in Scotland, and it is very competitively priced against its Strathspey and Baddenoch neighbours.

The 12th tee at Ballindalloch

On the day, I played pretty poorly, scoring 103 for 23 points, although I was only 1 over for the 4 par 3s.

Finally, there is plenty to keep non golfing family members busy on the estate, which has also recently opened a whisky distillery right next door to the golf course, again reinforcing this highland estate’s ambition.

I highly recommend playing at Ballindalloch Castle.

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

Par 72 (4 par 5s, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance Yards 6170 (yellow)

Moly’s Gross Score: 103

Moly’s Ballindalloch scorecard – 103, for 23 points!

39. Dalmunzie. 18th May 2016

May 22, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Enjoy the great views but don’t bother playing the course

Round £15. Par 30. Value (out of 5) – 1.5

Dalmunzie golf course is situated on the Dalmunzie Estate located at the Spital of Glenshee, mid way between Blairgowrie and Braemar, just south of the Glenshee skiing centre.

Long 235 yards Par 3 first hole at Dalmunzie

The course was designed by Tom Simpson in the 1920s as a private course for Sir Archibald Birkmyre, who was from a family line of “Jute Barons” based in India.

The views from the course are pretty spectacular. However, the estate and the course have long since past their glory days, and show signs of a lack of maintenance. This is a shame as the architect created some really challenging holes.

The 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th in my view are all really tough par 3s, all with very different challenges.

Fran on 3rd tee at Dalmunzie

The opening hole plays like a short par 4, judgement of distance is difficult on both the mid-iron 4th and 5th holes, and the short 7th plays over the “Shee Water” burn to a very small “front to back” target. Play well on these holes and you’ll likely score well overall. The long par 4 6th at 450 yards is also a challenge.

Difficult 5th hole with Green tucked on the plateau on the right

The course was in poor condition when we played, in particular the greens were badly in need of cutting. The general condition of the course was “tired”.

Critical to get distance right on the par 3 7th hole.

On the day, I played to one over handicap, which given that the greens were so poor I was pretty happy with – I also hit it in the water in front of the 7th green but at least found 3 others in the water waiting to be found!

9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background - an apt finishing hole at Dalmunzie

The mole surrounded 9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background – an apt finishing hole sadly at Dalmunzie

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

Par 30 (3 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance 2099 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 41

Stableford 16

Moly’s Dalmunzie Scorecard – 40

38. Dunning. 6th May 2016.

May 12, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Dunning is a little gem – but don’t play the locals!

Round £12. Par 33. Value (out of 5) – 4

Dunning is a beautiful little gem of a 9 hole golf course situated in the Perthshire village of the same name, with the backdrop of the Ochil Hills, about 10 miles south west of Perth. It is easily accessible by car being about 2 miles from the main A9 – I suspect, like me, many readers will have driven past Dunning many times.

The intimidating 1st tee at Dunning with Out of Bounds along the right.

The current course was laid out by Joe Anderson in 1946 on lands gifted by Lord Rollo of Pitcairn, who remains the Honorary President of the club. However, don’t let this lordly context leave you mistaken that Dunning is in any way uppity – quite the contrary, I found the welcome among the warmest and humblest I’ve ever received as a visitor.

The well manicured 1st green at Dunning

The club also boasts many progressive policies to expand the game of golf, such as a free open day each year to allow potential members to play.

The course was in excellent condition when I played with my wife; the tees, fairways and greens were all great and the bunkers in particular would put many links courses to shame.

The approach to the 3rd at Dunning with the rural Perthshire backdrop

The course is on nice open parkland and at only 2199 yards off yellow or 2405 off the white tees, should offer some birdie chances. However, there are several challenges. The first tee shot with OOB all along the right makes for a tough opening. Next, the long par 3 second will play like a par 4 for many.

My wife Fran chips over the water hazard in front of the tricky par three 5th hole at Dunning

There is also several tricky hazards, including the water in front of the 5th, to the left of the 6th green and all the way down the left of 7 – for those who take a more conservative line to the right of the 7th fairway need to go over 2 deep and hidden bunkers in front of the green.

Out of Bounds down the left at the cleverly architectured 7th

The club has a catering partnership with two local business ladies – in effect the club house is the local tea rooms.

I played very well, with a birdie on the first, and was round in 38, 5 over the card, although 7 over the SSS of 31.

Lastly, Colin Montgomerie, arguably Scotland’s finest ever golfer (I know, I know!), lives in the village and is an Honorary Club Member. I did mention not to play the locals!

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

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

Distance 2199 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 38

Stableford 22

Moly’s Dunning scorecard – a good day:)

Category: 9 holes (Page 8 of 12)

56. Portobello. 25th Oct 2016.

51. Ballindalloch Castle. 11th Sep 2016.

Par 72 (4 par 5s, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

39. Dalmunzie. 18th May 2016

Par 30 (3 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

38. Dunning. 6th May 2016.

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

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