Category: 2 star (Page 6 of 6)

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

13. Rothes; 8th April 2015

May 23, 2015 / Moly McMillan

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!

2. Piperdam 9 Hole; “Wee Piper”; 12th Dec 2013

December 31, 2013 / Moly McMillan / 0 Comments

No Camera’s Please!

If you intend to take photos while you play golf, remember to charge the batteries!

Piperdam is a Golf and Country Resort set up on the Western boundary of Dundee, surrounded by tasteful housing.

The “Wee Piper” is a good par 3, 9 hole golf course, with at least 3 or 4 of the holes easily being able to be suited to a decent 18 hole layout. Piperdam also has a fairly demanding 18 hole course as well.

Depending on the wind the first is a challenging opening hole, requiring a rescue or longer club, followed by a well architected 2nd hole. After that, holes 3-8 are in more open space and very forgiving off the tee. Only two of the holes present any “carry” requirements (2nd and 9th).

Although the course has views of the Piper Dam, the dam water doesn’t come into play at all. This is a fun little course, that will still challenge most handicaps.

My round was a better score than my general play would have expected, which was poor, helped by the fact that there are not many hazards.

This is a nice little course, but in my view only really worth the travel if you were combining a day at Piperdam, as it presents a nice accompaniment to the 18 hole course. It would make a good society day out.

Key Facts

Course Type: Open Parkland

Green Fee – Mon-Fri £12; Weekend £15; Members of other Carnoustie Country clubs get 50% discount.

Par 27 (9 par 3s)

Moly’s Gross score: 39.

“Wee Piper” Scorecard

1. Caird Park 9-Hole; 11th Dec 2013

December 12, 2013 / Moly McMillan / 0 Comments

Where it all started!

Moly at the 1st Tee at Caird Park "9 holer"

Me at the 1st Tee at Caird Park “9 holer”

This was the first course I ever played, so this round was pretty nostalgic; the biggest difference compared with 40 or so years ago when I first started was then I only had a 4 wood, 7 iron and putter – club selection was a lot easier then!

It’s a very basic layout, with trees being the main, and often only, hazard; other than local kids stealing lost balls – beware, sometimes lost balls may be “found” before they stop rolling! Although, this practice has stopped now that I have grown up.

Joking aside, this is an ideal course to learn the game, or to practice iron play in particular, as the greens are small and hitting more than 6 in regulation would be an outstanding result. It has 2 long par 3s (the 2nd and 5th) which are the most difficult holes, with the 9th being a picturesque finishing par 3, over a small valley, back to the small starters hut.

All towns and cities should have a facility like this 9 hole course. It’s accessible and great fun, and at only. Moly at the 1st Tee at Caird Park “9 holer”

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fee – £6.

Par 29 (2 par 4s, 7 par 3s)

Moly’s Gross score: 40.

Caird Park 9 Hole – Scordcard

Category: 2 star (Page 6 of 6)

14. Kinloss Country; 9th April 2015

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

13. Rothes; 8th April 2015

Par 35 (1 par 5, 6 par 4s, 2 par 3s)

2. Piperdam 9 Hole; “Wee Piper”; 12th Dec 2013

1. Caird Park 9-Hole; 11th Dec 2013

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