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 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!