Category: 4 star (Page 15 of 20)

53. Stirling. 19th Sep 2016.

September 22, 2016 / Moly McMillan

“Camera’s Please” at this historically located parkland course with outstanding views.

Round £45. Par 72. Value (out of 5) 4

If you play at Stirling remember to take a camera. There are spectacular views of Stirling, it’s castle and other historic buildings and of the Trossachs, Ochill and Lomond Hills, even the Southern Highlands (in clear weather!).

2nd tee at Stirling with views towards the historic town – the rounded turret of the gaol is evident.

Given Stirling’s strategic and historic location, it’s not surprising that golf was played in the area currently occupied by Stirling golf course, by King James IV, King of Scots, in 1505. There was no golf course as such, on what was historically a “Royal Park” dating back to 1200 and used for Hunting – perhaps worth reflecting on when you hunt for golf balls here:)

3rd at Stirling, a typical well defined hole on this course

The current course was established in 1869, and has been subsequently developed by some of golf’s aristocracy – in 1892 Tom Morris Junior designed a 9 hole layout; in 1904 Willie Fernie of Troon extended it to 18 holes; and in 1967 Sir Henry Cotton redesigned the course with significant tree re-planting which is now bearing full fruit.

The apex of the dog leg on the 9th, with fine hill views

The resulting golf course does justice to the views on offer and at well over 6000 yards, even from the yellow tees, will challenge your handicap to the full (see Moly’s card below for evidence!). Stirling is a classic layout, with both front and back 9s, each having a par of 36 with 2 par 3s and par 5s. There is also a really good level of architectural variety, in terms of uphill, downhill, dog-legs right and left. The course sits on a hill and this is therefore no easy walk, but it’s worth it.

One of my playing partners, Gordon, plays at the 11th with Stirling Castle in the background

The highlight holes for me were the dog-legs: the par 5 1st is a tough start, the 9th offers great hill views from the dog leg apex, and the par 4 15th, which is SI2, is the best hole on the course in my opinion requiring a 220+ yard uphill drive to give access to the plateau green. The only omission in the design for me is the lack of a 200+ yard par 3, although the par 3 8th, at 180 yards uphill, required a recovery or long iron.

The 15th at Stirling with the Castle in the background

The course was also in great condition when I played along with some former colleagues of the charity Apex (Scotland), which does so much good work helping people rebuild their lives after offending. Only downside was that the greens had been treated with sand, making putting very slow and different compared with my local links greens.

Stirling also has a nice club house, serving good food. Its well worth playing Stirling.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

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

Distance yards: 6201 (yellow)

Moly’s Gross Score: 99

Moly’s Stirling scorecard – 99

52. Cullen. 13th Sep 2016.

September 18, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Treat yourself at this unique Moray coastal gem

Round £21. Par 63. Value (out of 5) 4

Cullen is only about 4500 yards long, with 10 par 3s, so it’s hardly the toughest golfing challenge you’ll ever face, but it’s difficult to articulate the absolute delight which awaits any first time visitor. Ask any golfer that’s played here for their “top 10” courses, and they are almost guaranteed to have Cullen on the list. It’s unique, quirky, unconventional and, most importantly, great fun.

4th green, with views towards Cullen

Cullen, which sits mid-way between Aberdeen and Inverness on the Moray coast, also has a great pedigree; 9 holes were designed by Old Tom Morris in 1870, then extended in 1905 to 18 holes by Charlie Neaves, the professional at nearby Lossiemouth. Thirteen holes fit snugly into a cavernous bay with sandy beach, plus 5 holes play on higher cliff ground with magnificent views of the bay. In addition to this, in itself, magnificent location, there is added the spectacular Boar Crag, a huge 80 foot high rock which dominates the bay, and forms a challenging hazard as part of a run of 4 par 3s from the 11th. It truly is a remarkable location.

The signature 7th hole tee shot

Without meaning to be too controversial, Cullen does in my opinion warrant adding to the debate about what constitutes a links course. Although most of the course hugs the coast line, the cliff top land, with 5 greens, is undoubtedly arable. In addition, the turf on the 13 beach side holes, is also much softer than, say, the turf on which the Angus links courses are played. So although this is undoubtedly classified as a seaside links course, few of the shots “feel” like they are links shots. This doesn’t diminish Cullen at all, but in a “what is a links course” debate, it’s worth discussing Cullen.

Fran, my playing partner, at the 9th green at Cullen

There are many highlights of the course. Both the 2nd and 4th are blind shot par 3s, requiring good distance understanding. Then soon after comes the fantastic long par 3 7th, at over 200 yards, with a drop of around 50 feet, which is one of those holes where your ball seems to stay airborne indefinitely; it also has wonderful views of the course.

The 11th green at Cullen with the indomitable Boar Crag

Later in your round awaits Boar Crag, and in particular the par 3 12th and 13th holes, where the rock formation dominates shots. I suspect several played treat themselves to the odd “provisional” ball off these tees – especially on the 13th, where you need to hit directly over the marker post, and not be fooled into hitting to the 16th green by mistake.

The difficult 12th tee shot at Cullen

The course was in excellent condition when I played, with the greens being very well paced and true. I played to my handicap and scored 79, although I irritatingly lost a ball on the 10th with one of those shots that you just don’t think is going to be lost.

Cullen also has a nice club house where you can dine on the other local delicacy, Cullen “Skink”, which is a hearty fish & potato chowder, before going out for another 18 holes – its one of those very few courses you want to be more than 18 holes!

Some Facts

Course Type: (mainly) Links

Par 63 (1 par 5, 7 par 4s, 10 par 3s)

Distance Yards 4404 (yellow)

Moly’s Gross Score: 79

Moly’s Cullen scorecard – a 79

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!

48. Kingussie. 5th Aug 2016.

August 14, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Challenging highland course with great views

Round £30. Par 67. Value (out of 5) 3.5

Kingussie golf course sits above the village of Kingussie in the Badenoch area of the Cairngorms National Park and is easily accessed using the A9 Perth-Inverness road. The River Gynack, a tributary of the Spey, runs through the course and along with the wonderful highland surrounds and heather in view (and in play!) make Kinussie a classic Highland golf challenge.

The par 5 4th with a plateau green – think through your course management here

The club was founded in 1891 and like most highland courses has gone through periods of economic downturn, but the current 18 hole layout is very well established and can be traced back to the early part of last century, including significant input from the great Harry Vardon.

There is a good mix of holes at Kingussie. The long 225 yard par 3 first is very difficult start, followed immediately by the SI 1 431 yard par 4 2nd, which has a ditch and thick rough down the left. After the only par 5 at the 4th, played to a high plateau green, things quieten down a little with good opportunities to score at short par 4s and par 3s.

A real birdie opportunity at the par 3 7th

The opening par 3 actually sets the tone for a rather unorthodox layout, which twice has back-to-back par 3s, the short 7th and 8th, and later the 15th and 16th. The 16th is actually a great par 3, at almost 200 yards, with the river sitting close to the right of the green.

The 18th is a very difficult driving hole, with the river tight on the driving line on the left, but if you manouver that you are left with inly a short iron – a great risk-reward finish.

The 11th green, with classic Highland surrounds

The course was in beautiful condition when I played. The fairways and greens were excellent, but like most highland courses there were only limited bunkers around – but, hey, who’s going to complain about that.

I paid £18 using the teeofftimes.co.uk web site rather than the standard £30. I think these on-line system are providing a dillema for clubs’ pricing policy; is it better to have a standard fee of £18 without discount (like Huntly GC) or the model used at Kingussie? On-line booking gives opportunities, but only if that pricing policy isn’t putting off the normal highland tourist?

Fran at the 14th tee, the tough SI2 hole at Kingussie

On the day I scored 95, as usual including a disaster which this time occured at the 17th, when my snap hook went further left than it went forward forward – then an 8 with the second ball! That, coupled with another 3 off the tee at the last, kept me to 29 stableford points.

This really is a gem of a golf course within a spectacular highland environment and I would highly recommend playing, especially making use of the discounts on offer through the on-line booking system.

The 17th at Kingussie – Moly scored a 10 – with classic vistas

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

Par 67 (1 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance Yards 5501 (white) 5315 (yellow)

Moly’s Gross Score: 95

Moly’s Kingussie Scorecard, including a 10 at 17!

Category: 4 star (Page 15 of 20)

53. Stirling. 19th Sep 2016.

52. Cullen. 13th Sep 2016.

Par 63 (1 par 5, 7 par 4s, 10 par 3s)

51. Ballindalloch Castle. 11th Sep 2016.

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

48. Kingussie. 5th Aug 2016.

Par 67 (1 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

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