A guide to green fee value for money

Category: Dave Thomas (Page 2 of 2)

33. Drumoig. 16th Sep 2015

A Driver’s paradise with some prayers needed around the turn!

Round  £25.   Par 73.  Value (out of 5) – 4

Drumoig golf course is a substantial par 73 golf course, designed by Dave Thomas, set in a resort style estate, with housing and a hotel, situated between Dundee and St Andrews. It is a parkland layout and sufficiently undulating to make for a tiring walk on this 7000 yard course.

The difficult 9th hole with water on both sides of the fairway.

The difficult 9th hole with water on both sides of the fairway.

It is well set within the surrounding arable land with some far reaching views, notable across to Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and Carnoustie, on the other side of the Tay Estuary.

Surrounded by the classic links on this north Fife coastline, Drumoig would make a nice contrast for touring golfers, who may be finding the local links fairways a bit tight.

The "cliff side" green at the 5th - the long signature hole at Dromoig

The “cliff side” green at the 5th – the long signature hole at Dromoig

My main impression of Drumoig, was the width of the fairways, especially on the five par 5s; you can really open your shoulders whilst driving here, that is all bar the 9th, 10th and 11th, where all three holes are set around a large lake, making up its own Amen Corner.  These holes at the turn were the highlight for me, particularly the 10th, where I took a bogie 5, having taken 3 from the tee!

The 11th green at Drumoig

The 11th green at Drumoig

There are other interesting features, with a 25-foot quarry wall sitting immediately behind the 5th hole, a long par 5, and the 13th.  The 18th, is also a very nicely architected hole, with carefully laid water hazards, where the safe play is a medium iron or hybrid from the tee, leaving a short iron to the green.

13th at Drumoig with the quarry wall behind.

13th at Drumoig with the quarry wall behind.

The course  is a little unbalanced in my opinion with only 1 par 3 (the 2nd) and 2 par 5s on the front 9 of 37, but 3 par 3s, 3 par 4s and 3 par 5s on the back 9.  The course was in nice condition when I played, although the bunkers were a little stony and greens much slower that the nearby links courses.  That aside, its a good course which is well worth playing and good value.

The greenside bunker at the left of 14th, a natural target with OOB all down the right.

The greenside bunker at the left of 14th, a natural target with OOB all down the right.

I had a fairly good day for me, shooting 96, with 46 on back 9.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 73 (5 par 5s, 9 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (green!)   6472 yards

Moly’s Gross Score  96

Stableford 33

Moly's Drumoig Scorecard - 96

Moly’s Drumoig Scorecard – 96

10. Spey Valley; 7th July 2014

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

140807_Spey Valley 18th Andy approach

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 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.

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

Andy Needham and Alvin Hopley of the Army GC on the 7th tee

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!

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

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