Good example of a new course worth playing, but will it be viable in an area with so many fine golf courses?
Round £25. Par 70. Value (out of 5) 3.5
Maverston Golf Course is owned and operated by the ANM Group, a member owned co-operative company with interests in mainly farming related businesses. It seems clear that the business goal of the Maverston estate was to build a golf course attractive enough to enable the sale of the co-located residential housing plots surrounding the course. The course itself opened in 2014, and several “executive” houses are now completed and occupied.
Maverston 2nd hole – a typical example of the course.
The course has matured quickly and provides an excellent challenge – especially if the wind blows as it is on open parkland. It is located very close to Elgin and although close to the coast, there are no sea views of great merit from the course. The web site also boasts of Cairngorms views, but I think that’s not a fair reflection of the mainly rolling farming countryside views on offer.
The course is an excellent piece of architecture, designed by former Scottish international Euan McIntosh and plays 6,000+ yards off white and yellow, both with par 70. It has had a good start to its existence, and has picked up several members who have moved from the nearby Kinloss Country course, mainly due to the latter course struggling and reducing the course from 18 to only 11 holes. This story, I suspect, may be the risk that Maverston faces, as the Moray coast is blessed with so many genuinely world class courses. Only time will tell.
Excellent par 3 7th at Maverston
The course has some excellent holes, with the outward 9 being significantly longer than the inward 9. The 3 holes from 6th to 8th were the highlight for me, with the lovely par 3 7th, sandwiched between 2 par 5s, which were the stroke index 1 and 3 respectively.
The course was in very good condition when I played and the greens were fast and true, albeit I thought the greens could have benefited from more undulation, but that’s probably overly critical. The fairways are quite generous, but the rough outside these wide targets is very penal. On the day I actually lost 6 balls, costing me 12 penalty shots, making up the whole story between my score and handicap! The rough was so deep I didn’t find any alternative balls either!
Tough drive at par 5 8th hole at Maverston.
With the exposure to the wind and the dry conditions I faced there was quite a “links” feel to this course, and the advice from the starter was to treat the greens and approaches as if they were links. If that was intended as part of the design it has been a good job.
I’d recommend playing Maverston, which also has a nice little clubhouse with cafe/bar seating overlooking the 10th. Overall good value, I hope it remains viable.
Excellent par 3 16th at Maverston.
Some Facts
Course Type: Parkland
Par 70 (2 par 5s, 12 par 4s, 4 par 3s)
Distance (yellow) 6118 yards
Moly’s Gross Score 100
Moly’s Maverston scorecard – a 100 with 6 lost balls for 12 penalties