£40 – £59 – Page 7 – Scotland Golf Bible

Breath-taking scenery, but your “A” game is required if you want to truly enjoy the views!

Summary: Cost £40 (midweek pm). Par 72. Score 102. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

Andy’s approach to the 18th with the Cairgorm mountains in view (note the rain on the right!)

Detail: Spey Valley, designed by the renowned architect Dave Thomas, is part of the McDonald Aviemore hotel resort. It is a magnificent golf course that feels much more mature than its actual age and is now an established part of the European Challenge Tour, hosting the Scottish Hydro Challenge (2009-2014). The scenery of the Cairngorm mountain range is breath-taking and Spey Valley, arguably, has the best golf views from any course in the UK.

The formidable approach shot to the 15th green

The course is a significant test at over 7000 yards from the white tees with a SS of 75, versus a par of 72. It’s a very traditional layout with 4 par 3s and 4 par 5s, with the 5th being Scotland’s longest hole at 635 yds (608 yds off Yellow!). The par 3s are particularly challenging and I needed a wood from the tee on them all. The heath and the heather are always close by to eat up your precious golf balls, so make sure you stock up well before starting.

Spey Valley’s version of the “spectacles” on the 7th – in range with a driver.

Andy Needham and Alvin Hopley of the Army GC

I played with Alvin Hopley (8 hcp) and Andy Needham (19 hcp), both of the Army GC; we played a three-ball match play game, using the 6 points/per hole format. Alvin and I halved, both narrowly beating Andy. In truth the golf course soundly beat all 3 of us and this on a day blessed with sunshine and only a light highland breeze. I scored 102, but the local assistant pro advised that many people never break 100 on this monster.

Take your A game or lots of balls – probably both!

At a £40 green fee, which also received 20% discount because I played free using a Golfcare voucher, this course is also incredible value. However, either ensure you take your A game, or just accept that the fee is worth it for the views alone whilst having a drink in the lovely little bar with its nice terrace area.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland/Heathland

Green Fees: Variable Summer PM (not twilight): £40

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

Distance(white): 7071 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 102

Moly’s scorecard – 102 with 3 lost balls

Classic and historic links experience

Summary: Cost £59 (midweek). Par 71. Score 87. Value (out of 5) – 4.

Grange, Broughty and Monifieth golf clubs, adjacent to the 18th green on Monifieth Medal

Detail. Monifieth Links is where I play as a member of Monifieth GC, alongside the members of Grange, Broughty and Panmure Ladies Golf Clubs! Confused? – then welcome to a historic Scottish Golf Links! The links are organised separately from the golf clubs, so you need to book tee times direct with the links, and contact the clubs if you want to check on food/drink/changing.

Golf at Monifieth was first referenced in local church records in 1639, with an 18 hole layout dating from 1880. Click here for a great resource on golfing history at Monifieth. Like all links courses, Monifieth can be either a tiger or a kitten, so it’s best if you can check the weather first – if wind and rain are forecast, stock up on golf balls.

Aberdeen to London train passing the 2nd as seen from the 17th

Monifieth is the first course east of Dundee on the north bank of the Tay estuary, and starts the coastal golfing heaven (or hell!) which has Carnoustie as its masterpiece. The Angus coast vies with the Fife, North Berwick, Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ayrshire coasts as the best collective place for golf in the world, I’ll leave you to make up your mind.

The course has an out and back feel, with the first 6 holes hugging the main Aberdeen-London railway line, before you turn to face the tough 7th, normally into the westerly prevailing wind.

View towards St Andrews Basin from the 12th Green

It’s an unusual links, in that it has limited sea views, but you can look across to the St Andrews basin, from some holes.

Walk from the tee to the fairway at the 7th, a challenge into the normal prevailing wind

There are several great holes, in particular the 4th, 7th, 13th and 17th holes, all par 4s. The greens are normally excellent, and are well bunkered.

The course is penal if you veer off the fairway, so its best to concede on length where possible. Although short by todays standards, the Medal is still used for final qualifying when Carnoustie plays host to the Open Championship.

Monifieth is a really down to earth place to play golf, which is highly recommended. I played with my son Andy (handicap 17), and I won with one of my best rounds on a day the wind decided to play kitten.

Key Facts

Course Type: Links

Green Fees:

April – October: £59 weekdays, £65 weekends

Nov – Mar: £25 weekdays, £35 weekends

Par 71 (2 par 5s, 13 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance(yellow): 6420 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 87

Moly’s Monifieth Medal Scorecard – Gross 81

Category: £40 – £59 (Page 7 of 7)

10. Spey Valley; 7th July 2014

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

9. Monifieth Medal; 5th July 2014

Par 71 (2 par 5s, 13 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

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