Enjoy the great views but don’t bother playing the course  

Round  £15.   Par 30.  Value (out of 5) – 1.5

Dalmunzie golf course is situated on the Dalmunzie Estate located at the Spital of Glenshee, mid way between Blairgowrie and Braemar, just south of the Glenshee skiing centre.

Long 235 yards Par 3 first hole at Dalmunzie

Long 235 yards Par 3 first hole at Dalmunzie

The course was designed by Tom Simpson in the 1920s as a private course for Sir Archibald Birkmyre, who was from a family line of “Jute Barons” based in India.

The views from the course are pretty spectacular.  However, the estate and the course have long since past their glory days, and show signs of a lack of maintenance.  This is a shame as the architect created some really challenging holes.

The 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th in my view are all really tough par 3s, all with very different challenges.

Fran on 3rd tee at Dalmunzie

Fran on 3rd tee at Dalmunzie

The opening hole plays like a short par 4, judgement of distance is difficult on both the mid-iron 4th and 5th holes, and the short 7th plays over the “Shee Water” burn to a very small “front to back” target.  Play well on these holes and you’ll likely score well overall.  The long par 4 6th at 450 yards is also a challenge.

Difficult 5th hole

Difficult 5th hole with Green tucked on the plateau on the right

 

The course was in poor condition when we played, in particular the greens were badly in need of cutting.  The general condition of the course was “tired”.

Critical to get distance right on the par 3 7th hole.

Critical to get distance right on the par 3 7th hole.

On the day, I played to one over handicap, which given that the greens were so poor I was pretty happy with – I also hit it in the water in front of the 7th green but at least found 3 others in the water waiting to be found!

9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background - an apt finishing hole at Dalmunzie

The mole surrounded 9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background – an apt finishing hole sadly at Dalmunzie

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

Par 30  (3 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance   2099 yards

Moly’s Gross Score  41 

Stableford 16

Moly's Dalmunzie Scorecard - 40

Moly’s Dalmunzie Scorecard – 40