Nestled near the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow, the Allander course at Hilton Park Golf Club offers a rich blend of history and natural beauty. Opened in 1928 and designed by James Braid it represents a good example of Braid’s artistry of balancing challenge and fun.
The approach to the first, presents a typical view of this Allander course.
Set within an area of beautiful scenery of rolling hills and lush heathland greenery, full of flora and fauna, the course is nice just to walk around.
The par four 5th on the Allander course, fully justified as the Stroke Index 1 hole.
I was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the PGA Pro, Ewan Grimes, who went out of their way to make me feel welcome. His knowledge and welcome were second to none, along with his stories.
Moly teeing off at the 15th on the Allander course at Hilton Park, a mid iron par three.
The course was in good condition. However, the drainage seemed poor, which was unexpected given the heathland conditions. Given the conditions there were several winter greens in play, which was a disappointment.
The tree lines framed many holes, but in fact the fairways were quite generous. Here at the par three 17th.
One of two courses at Hilton Park, the Allander is very much the secondary, shorter course. It would be worth playing though on in a fine summer day.
The Allander 18th hole, a mid length par four, with the impressive clubhouse.
So what do I think of using AI? It created a very bland and flowery draft, which was frankly difficult to take seriously. Clearly influenced by Golf Club websites, full of standard phrases ‘course for all all abilities’, ‘challenge for all’, etc etc, after editing it left me with no more than 4 meaningful sentences.
Price £45.
Discount: Golf Now, £15, against the Winter rate of £30.
One of the great clubs and excellent value in Winter
Value 3.5/5
Blairgowrie’s Pro explained many members lived quite far from the club, meaning competition days, Wednesday and Saturday, were incredibly busy. Therefore, playing Rosemount on the first Thursday in December, I anticipated a fast round, before finding myself behind one of those 4-balls – you know the kind – those avoiding eye contact!
The 5th, a typical tree lined hole on Rosemount. I was stuck behind a four ball, that steadfastly refused to acknowledge me. They were the rudest golfers I have ever encountered and did nothing to make Blairgowrie feel a welcome place for visitors.
Blairgowrie, or more correctly ‘Blairgowrie and Rattray’, is a twin burgh in eastern Perthshire, and a popular gateway town to the highlands. With a population of 9000, it has some quaint but dated shops. It also has a fine golf club with 3 courses, 2 of which are listed amongst the very best in the UK.
The impressive Blairgowrie clubhouse behind the difficult 400 yards plus 18th on Rosemount.
The Rosemount course (originally called the Lansdowne) is regarded by many as the jewel in the Blairgowrie crown; designed by the Yorkshireman, Dr Alister MacKenzie, in the 1920s, with further developments by James Braid and Donald Steele. Blairgowrie’s newer 18 hole course, with the inherited Lansdowne name, was designed in the 1970s by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas. Both courses have been further updated by Scottish Designer, Graeme Webster.
The strong 17th hole, a par 3 of 163 yards; although not as “Plateau’d” as the holes name would suggest. Easy to three putt on this very large green.
‘Lansdowne’, was in fact the original name of the current 9 hole ‘Wee Course’, blogged here. This was the founding 1889 course at Blairgowrie, named after the Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne, a local aristocrat. It is often cited as one of the best 9 hole courses in Scotland.
The 11th tee, a typical tee shot at this course, so much so I can understand why it could be considered monotonous.
The two main18 hole layouts are championship standard and the Rosemount course hosted the European Tour in the 1970s and 1980s. It was the venue of Greg Norman’s first European tour victory in 1977 with The Martini International on 11 under par with the South African Simon Hobday in second place.
The wonderful bunkering at Rosemount, seen here at the 2nd, a short par 4 of 340 yards, and one of the good birdie chances.
Set in a large tree encrusted heathland property the courses are easy walking, and more forgiving off the tee than what meets the eye. Many of the holes feel similar and with the forested surrounds, there are limited views. Depending on the time of year, this landscape could even feel like California or Portugal.
The course is a highly attractive amateur Open venue due to the ever increasing summer green fees, which are now £140 (2023), whereas the Winter fees are less than £40. Although I played off mats and forward tees, the greens were in play. Given the greens are part of the magnificence of the course, this represents excellent Winter value golf.
The 15th “Wee Dunt”, a lyrical, and potential ryme, for this tricky par 3.
I played very well, scoring 81, and therefore I may have to thank the four ball that slowed me down. Maybe that’s the secret – taking time and concentrating.
In summary, if you are looking for a golf course that combines history, beauty, and challenge, then you might want to visit Rosemount in Blairgowrie. Especially on a nice winter’s day.
Round List Price £140.Actual Paid £30 (Winter rate).
Moly’s Score – 81 for 37 points (off 14)
Course/Slope Rating (winter) 68.8/121
Course Type:Heathland
Par 68 (14 par 4s, 4 par 3s)
Distance (yellow): c 5500 yards
Moly’s 81 on Rosemount off their winter tees, but full greens
Arboretum type vision creates framing ‘For the Ages’
Value for Money (out of 5) – 5
It takes vision to plant an arboretum as its creator is dead by the time planting has matured, something both sad and somewhat magical. This was how I felt playing one of James Braid’s canvasses – East ‘Ren’.
The beautifully framed par four 2nd hole at East Ren from its elevated tee.
In 1922 when Braid designed this moorland layout there were almost no trees and this is a great example how courses evolve over the years.
The original open heathland vista of East Ren, a picture courtesy of the golf club. The clubhouse is still in use.
Looking at the original open heathland layout of the course in 1922, one wonders whether Braid imagined what the course would become? If he did, he really was visionary, because the course is now a beautiful mix of holes and incredibly framed by fir trees. I could have published pictures of every hole.
The great conditioning of East Ren shown here at the 4th green, the 135 yard par three, which also demonstrates the large bunkering on many holes.
This very bonny golf course was in great condition when we played, despite the recent wet weather. It fully justifies its high placing in lists of Scotland’s finest courses.
The downhill dog leg left 331 yard par four 6th hole.
With constantly changing directions and a great use of the sloping braes, Braid’s course is one that you’ll want to come back to again and again. It’s a tough walk in places, no more so than the severe uphill par three 11th, “Brae Shouther”, at over 200 yards.
Moly at the difficult 200 yard par three 7th hole.
There are also many slight dog leg holes, and the odd blind shot thrown in for good measure. The bunkering is strong, yet the fairways are overall pretty generous. The greens subtle, but not overly sloping.
The approach at the par five 14th hole, with the burn challenging the longer hitters, attempting to go for the green in two.
The use of craftily routed burns, feeding the adjacent reservoir, means strategy off the tee is a consideration. Overall, it’s an architectural gem, clearly benefitting from Braid’s growing experience by the early 1920s.
The beautiful 17th at East Ren, yet another hole with excellent framing.
Almost every hole is materially different from its predecessor, many with outstanding view of the Renfrewshire countryside. This is a ‘must play’ course and in the top handful of Scottish moorland courses.
The excellent short 13th hole, at only 120 yards the shortest hole.
Go out of your way to play East ‘Ren’, which has shot towards the top of courses I would like to play regularly.
Facts:
Round List Price £75.Actual Paid £30 through Golfnow.
Round £65. Par 70. Course/Slope Rating (yellow) 70.1/124. Value (out of 5) – 5
Moly’s score – 96
In immaculate condition, I still found a rabbit hole at Lanark and one which didn’t afford a free drop. Lanark’s website claimed a brilliant story; “In 1920 the LSM Railway Company decided, only on the casting vote of its chairman, to build its hotel at Gleneagles rather than Lanark.”
The beautifully stunning Lanark golf course evident from the first tee, a 350 yard par four.
Disappointingly, I couldn’t find corroboration for Lanark’s story; for example, the excellent 1951 club’s centenary history makes no mention of the ‘Gleneagles’ decision. Jamie Darling, of Lanark GC, was very helpful in my enquiries, but he too found evidence elusive.
The challenging 4th, here the view from 200 yards, at this 430 yard par four stroke index 1 hole.
The more I researched, the more convinced I am The Gleneagles resort vision existed long before 1920; in fact as early as 1910 by Perthshire born Donald Matheson, the Chief Engineer with Caledonian Railways. The Kings course opened in 1919, with the final hotel site decided around 1920. Matheson later became the GM of Caledonian Railways, then Dep GM in Scotland for LMS, and seems likely the driving force.
The sixth requires two “Sunday best” shots to get close to the green at this uphill par four.
Lanark, unlike Gleneagles, is one of the UK’s best kept golfing secrets – a quite beautiful moorland course, nestled 600 feet up in the Clyde Valley of South Lanarkshire, only 25 miles from Glasgow’s city centre. The town is an ancient burgh and historically important, evidenced by the golf course being one of the oldest “inland” courses in the world. A full 18 holes was designed by Old Tom Morris in 1897, although some holes are traced back to 1851.
The delightful 125 yard seventh – played downhill to a web of bunkers.The 8th is seen beyond and is the only hole playing the same direction as its predecessor.
This tough course was in majestic condition when I played in good playing conditions yet still struggled to break 100 – I had one of those rounds where you play better than you score. The turf is very firm and certainly played like a links. With beautifully crafted greens and surrounds, I suspect anyone playing to handicap will have made several single putts.
The exquisite condition of the course, seen here at the uphill par three 10th at 147 yards, adorned in Autumn sunshine.
The course is well laid out with constant changes in direction (except the 7th and 8th), so wind is always a strong consideration, especially as the course sits high up in exposed countryside. My only (very slight) criticism is that the approach to the second can be confusing; I hit into the 14th green, to be met by some members telling me “loads of visitors do that!”; later in my round I was advising other visitors the same!
Approach to the 11th, with OOB getting closer at the greenside.
The fairways are pretty generous, but miss these and the rough is at times very brutal. With discounts available through golfnow.com, I paid only £32, which was outstanding value.
I would really love to be able to confirm that Gleneagles is “The Lanark of the North”. It would be nice if anyone could point me to evidence of the chairman’s decision to validate the club’s great story. For the record, Henry Allan, was Caledonian Railway chairman between 1918-23, are would be the “Chairman” in Lanark’s claim.
It’s worth going out of your way to play Lanark, a wonderful moorland course, arguably one of Scotland’s very best.
