{"id":298,"date":"2015-07-02T10:00:31","date_gmt":"2015-07-02T10:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.scotlandgolfbible.com\/?p=298"},"modified":"2015-07-07T20:25:13","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T20:25:13","slug":"18-caird-park-main-course-30th-jun-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.scotlandgolfbible.com\/?p=298","title":{"rendered":"18. Caird Park Main Course. 30th Jun 2015."},"content":{"rendered":"

A great\u00a0example of why golf\u00a0is Scotland’s “game of the people”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summary<\/span>:\u00a0\u00a0Midweek \u00a320 (round);\u00a0\u00a330 (day); weekend \u00a325\/\u00a335\u00a0.\u00a0 \u00a0Par 69.\u00a0 Value (out of 5)\u00a0\u2013 4<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Detail:\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Caird Park in the north of Dundee is a great example of Scotland’s golfing accessibility;\u00a0\u00a0it is\u00a0the sort of local authority owned and managed course that golfing visitors\u00a0to Scotland would benefit from playing.<\/p>\n

\"Caird<\/a>

Caird Park 1st Hole – a seductive straight forward start.<\/p><\/div>\n

This accessibility did have a slight drawback when in the 1980s Caird Park was deemed Europe’s busiest course – although the course is no longer that busy.\u00a0 Current annual membership fees\u00a0for concessions (Pensioners, unemployed,\u00a0 etc) start from around only\u00a0\u00a3150.\u00a0 Given the quality of the course this is incredible value “golf for the people”.<\/p>\n

It is also one of those course where playing from the yellow tees (white is only available to competition play) has a significant drawback, with 3 of the relatively short par 5s (all under 500 yards), becoming long par 4s on the yellow card.<\/p>\n

\"Moly<\/a>

Moly at the 5th tee – must keep that right nee bent!<\/p><\/div>\n

To my mind these 3 shots to the card more than offset the other 600 yards given up.<\/p>\n

After a relatively easy start over the first 4 holes, things get increasingly difficult.\u00a0 You need to score well on the first 9 at Caird Park as the back 9 is significantly longer.\u00a0 The course was in excellent condition on the day I played, with the fairways being particularly lush and welcoming.\u00a0 In fact, Caird Park has generally wide fairways so you can open your shoulders off the tee.<\/p>\n

\"Chipping<\/a>

Chipping to the well architechtured 10th hole<\/p><\/div>\n

The greens were also excellent, with subtle borrows.\u00a0 Only the tees could have done with a bit more care.<\/p>\n

On the day I played, I was accompanied by\u00a0my wife, and hence some of the photos are of the author in action – although that may not add to the entry!<\/p>\n

\"Par<\/a>

Par 3 17th in the evening sun<\/p><\/div>\n

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I played the 4 par 3s very well, with 3 pars and a bogey.\u00a0 The 3 7s on my card contributed to my round of 92.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A typical Dundee Course Hazard? A wheelie cyclist with his dog!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Caird Park, is a very mature\u00a0easy-walking course surrounded by mature avenues of trees and views north to the Sidlaw Hill.\u00a0 Opened in 1923, it also has a 9 hole course in the park grounds.\u00a0\u00a0It is well worth a visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Fact<\/strong>s<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Course<\/strong><\/em> Type<\/em>: <\/strong>Parkland<\/p>\n

Green Fees:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n