Category: Region (Page 41 of 45)

The 15 regions are as defined by the visitscotland website, the Nation Tourism Organisation; http://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/

17. Scotscraig. 23rd May 2015

June 13, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Great links worth the visit if you’re also playing St Andrews

Summary: Midweek £65 (round); £85 (day); weekend (morning) £80. Par 71. Value (out of 5) – 3.5

Detail:

Scotscraig 18th green and clubhouse

Scotscraig was founded in 1817 by some members of the St. Andrews Society of Golfers (later to be the R&A) and therefore became the 13th Golf Club in the world. Pedigree apart, it’s a great test of golf and has been a final qualifying venue many times when The Open has been at St Andrews. It has therefore played host to many of the world’s best golfers.

It is a fine links course, but with a layout more typical of a parkland course, therefore wind direction impacts differently on each hole, unlike many of the “out and back” links courses on the east of Scotland.

Par 3 6th at Scotscraig

Scotscraig also has a fair number of trees as well. This, coupled with a lot of broom, the indigenous Scottish links shrub, makes for a really nice vista on many of the holes.

The greens had recently been rotavated and treated by the newly appointed green keeper, and so were not typical of the good condition that I’d experienced here several times before – however, the rest of the course was in excellent condition.

Approach to the 7th at Scotscraig

Playing with an old family friend, David Husband, a member of Scotscraig for many years, I was reminded of the importance of local knowledge to playing links courses, especially when the ground around the greens becomes so hard, and the need to play the chip and run, sometimes from up to 100 yards out. Even if you’re not used to this form of the game, its nice to try this shot out.

There are some great holes at Scotscraig, with the par 4 fourth hole, stroke index 1, being the first major test, played to a steep sided plateau green, over a second shot carry from the fairway – settle for a bogey and move on. You also need to be aware from several of the tees of the adjacent greens and tees which criss-cross at times.

The par 3 15th with Moly’s best shot of the day!

There are also 2 really nice mid iron par 3s, the 6th and 15th, the latter to a 2 tier green would be a good “nearest the pin” for a society.

I had a mixed round, with 55 out and 45 home, the latter with an 8, but enough to win my match – but to be fair neither David nor I played to our handicap, on a day when the wind got up sufficiently to make scoring difficult.

A nice club house with good visitor facilities make this course well worth a visit.

Key Facts

Course Type: Links

Green Fees:

Midweek £65 round £85 day
Weekend £80 (morning)

Par 71 (3 par 5, 11 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance(yellow) 6310 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 100

Moly’s Scotscraig scorecard – 100

16. Downfield. 20th May 2015.

June 11, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Dundee’s other wonderful Discovery

Summary: (hi/lo season) £65/£45 (round); £75/£60 (day). Par 72. Value (out of 5) – 4

Detail;

Captain Scott’s Discovery in Dundee

Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland, can proudly boast of being a city closest to some of the greatest golf courses in the world, many being very accessible. It is less than 20 minutes drive to either St Andews or Carnoustie. The “City of Discovery”, named because of its association with Captain Scott of the Antartic, is blessed with another wonderful discovery – Downfield golf course.

Downfield’s 3rd Green

Downfield, nestled amongst Adler, Black and Templeton Woods, can safely be categorised as a Woodland course! It’s on the north-west of Dundee adjacent to industrial and large housing estates – entered via iron gates it soon becomes apparent you are in a golfing oasis. You could be in Surrey or New England once inside the fence!

14th Green towards the fairway

Surrounded by an arboretum, Downfield is a outstanding golf course, and well worth its place amongst the best courses in the UK. Tees, fairways and greens were all excellent when I played, as were the bunkers filled with some of the finest sand I’ve experienced.

Moly and Eric on the majestic 11th hole

Its very important to drive straight and keep the ball on the fairway – something I regularly failed to do for the first 13 holes. However, a good finish (2 over for the last 5) enabled me to win a close fought contest with Eric and Moira Brown, my partners for the day.

There are many highlights on the course, but the 11th is surely one of the best inland holes in Scotland:

From the 11th green towards the fairway with the water hazard in view

a drive needs to be on the right to view the green, which has a water hazard in front, not unlike something from Augusta.

Downfield also has a very impressive club house, with a fantastic view over the course. It would be well worth planning to eat there to take full benefit of the surroundings.

So, a classic layout, and a real gem in the industrial heartland of Dundee – please don’t miss this treat whilst on your tour of the hallowed links nearby.

Key Facts

Course Type: Woodland

Green Fees:

Day – Hi Season (May-Sep): £75.00, otherwise £60.00
Round – Hi season: £65, otherwise £45
Deposit, £20.00

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

Distance(blue) 6560 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 99

Moly’s Downfield Scorecard – 99

15. Braemar. 10th April 2015

June 8, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Highest course in Scotland is well worth a visit

Summary: £26 (18 holes); £13 (9 holes); £32 (day). Par 68. Value (out of 5) – 3.5

Braemar Scorecard with Historic Cover Picture

Detail; As the claimed highest course in Scotland, and competing with a Snowdonia course for the highest in the UK, Braemar is a surprisingly flat and open parkland type layout. However, surrounded by the Grampian mountains, and at the bottom of the glen from the Glenshi ski centre, Braemar merits a “highland” classification, not least for its exposure to the elements – beware of the prevailing wind down the glen.

Braemar was one of the first 18 hole courses I played as a 13 year old, so I must admit that I may be nostalgically biased.

The formidable 2nd at Braemar – into the prevailing wind with an elevated green – pray for bogey and survival!

As long as you get over the burn at the first it’s a pretty easy first hole, but the 2nd hole represents one of the toughest par 4s in the Highlands; played into the prevailing wind, the approach to an elevated green can easily play 4 clubs longer. A bogey here represents a good score no matter your handicap.

The story goes that there have been several attempts to fill the several bunkers

One of the sand less bunkers at Braemar – the wind kept blowing the sand away!

with sand – all to no avail. However, you still can find some bunkers, albeit sandless ones!

The course at Braemar is always in good condition, and with a very nice clubhouse with views over the course, is a favourite haunt for the many visitors drawn to Braemar each year, especially those also drawn for its famous Highland Gathering. The Royal connection is also with the club, with HRH Prince Andrew, the current Patron.

“Cluney Water”, the name of the river running through the course, is also often in play, particularly on the tough par-4 10th and par-4 15th, which, coupled with the 11th, are the 3 tough holes on the back 9.

A view towards the course from the “Glenshi road”, with Cluney Water in the foreground.

Overall Braemar is a delight to play, with many visitors coming back year after year. I’m sure you wont be disappointed.

Key Facts

Course Type: Highland

Green Fees: 18 holes £26, 9 holes £13, Day £32 (All week)

Par 64 (0 par 5, 10 par 4s, 8par 3s)

Distance(yellow) 4712 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 88

Moly Braemar Scorecard – Gross 88

14. Kinloss Country; 9th April 2015

June 3, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Young “American” style parkland course close to Findhorn Bay on the Moray Coast

Summary: £20 (18 holes); £12.50 (9 holes); £30 (day). Par 68. Score 90. Value (out of 5) – 2.5

Detail; Kinloss Country is a bit like the proverbial Curate’s Egg – “good in parts”. It is an unusual parkland find on this links laden Moray coastline.

The difficult par 3 third, with sweeping views to the North

It has a very unusual start of 3 par 3s, the first 2 of which are very straight forward; indeed if you don’t pick up a scorecard, you might be forgiven for thinking you were on a par 3 course.

But things get better with the 3rd played downhill with sweeping views, with challenges ahead on the 5th and 7th two of the more difficult holes.

12th hole – with lake in front.

The 12th hole, most likely characterised as the signature hole, has a manufactured lake in front of the green, so make sure you take enough club.

The course was in reasonable condition when I played with special note for the good condition of the fairways and bunkers. The course is quite open to the elements though with the 11th being aptly named “Windy Hills”.

15th – A bit of a Pig!

In fact, please take heed of the hole names! Although I must admit the 15th hole, a bit of a pig, should be renamed.

I played pretty steady throughout, and shot 90, despite having two 8’s on the back 9.

I was also caught out at the 17th, called “Carnoustie Twist” – needless to say I found the hidden green side bunkers!

17th “Carnoustie Twist”

Kinloss Country also has a nice little clubhouse with reasonably priced food and drink; the staff were also particularly friendly.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to play again, but it is a nice holiday venture and is close by the wonderful Findhorn bay, an ideal spot for a nice pub meal or picnic.

Findhorn Bay, close to Kinloss Country GC

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fees: 18 holes £20, 9 holes £12.50, Day £30 (All week)

Par 68 (2 par 5, 10 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance(white) 5321 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 90

Moly’s Kinloss Country Scorecard – Gross 90