Scotland Golf Bible

A guide to green fee value for money

Category: 18 holes (Page 2 of 34)

181. The Carrick. 22 Mar 23.

April 28, 2026 /

Fake News – Trump wanted “The Carrick”

Value – 4 / 5

The King Robert the Bruce course at Trump Turnberry was to be named “The Carrick”, but dropped after a legal challenge. Perhaps fake news? “The Carrick” remains the name of Cameron House’s premier golf course, set on the banks of Loch Lomond. A just outcome, given the designer is Doug Carrick, one of Canada’s most prolific architects with a CV of 100 courses.

The halfway boat enhances the contrast between ‘lowland’ to ‘highland’ holes.

Cameron House is a 5 star resort, less than an hours drive from central Glasgow. However, a word of warning. This is not Gleneagles, so be prepared for the swimming pool filled with screaming children, plus the only quiet restaurant may be the fine dining one!

The Carrick’s ‘lowland’ could be called Wetlands, on display at the par 3 2nd

The Carrick is really 2 courses; the front 8 “Lowland” holes are flat parkland weaving around a pond which is in play on several holes, the 10 “Highland” holes could then be a homage to James Braid’s “East Ren“, an undulating piece of ground, with views of Loch Lomond.

The 8th, ‘Glen Fruin’, is a monstrous par 5, and the toughest hole on the outward nine.

The course had several mediocre holes, but complimented by a few brilliant ones, none less than the stroke index one 11th, played uphill – the mixture of fairway and greenside bunkering is superb, testimony to Carrick’s design experience. The conditioning was a touch tired in places, albeit the recent wet weather probably played a part. Nonetheless the bunkers were well presented.

The SI one 11th played “into the glen” needs three good shots to give a chance of par.

Combined with the scenery, this could be spectacular on a late summer day with the hills in bloom. One thing worth mentioning was the proximity to the A82 west highland arterial route so road noise will be a factor in the height of summer.

The ‘Signature” ‘Tappit Doon’ par three 14th, a 2 to 3 club drop.

In the very strong winds, gusting at 40mph, I played one of my rounds of the year to score 95. My par on the long par 4 third hole being the highlight.

Shades of ‘East Ren’ abound (here at the 13th) on the Highland part of The Carrick.

I paid £54.99 through GolfNow to play on a windswept day with the ground pretty saturated in places. The course was fully in play. It still represented decent value as this is an interesting course with great variety and picturesque surroundings. The Summer price of well over £100 is a little steep in my opinion.

My recommendation would be to seek out a twighlight or a Golfnow “Hot deal”, if you get one go and play this “tale of two halves” course.

Cameron House Apartments overlook the 17th green, a 400 yard par 4.

Facts:

Round List Price £120. Actual Paid £55 through Golfnow.

Course/Slope Rating (gold) 70.3/122.

Course Type: Parkland & Heathland

Par 71  (4 par 5s, 9 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance (yellow): 6265 yards

Moly’s 95 was actually a good round in 40+mph winds on a wet course

180. Hilton Park. 21 Mar 23.

February 2, 2026 /

Ewan Grimes – What a Pro!

Value – 4/5

Golf in Scotland is a competitive market, so a friendly welcome is essential. Ewan Grimes, the recently appointed pro at Hilton Park, could not have been more hospitable to me. It made up for the miserably wet weather and golf course, which arguably should have been closed. At least that meant it was very quiet and took less than 3 hours to play.

The 17th at Hilton Park, a par 3 of 184 yards with common white and yellow tees.

Hilton Park, just outside Milngavie, is about 10 miles north of Glasgow City Centre, but feels much more remote. It is one of only 23 clubs in Scotland that has two or more 18 hole courses. Moreover, it is one of only 3 clubs with two heathland courses, the others being Gleneagles and Blairgowrie.

Moly putting on the 6th, the most difficult of the four par 3s.

I played both the Hilton Park and Allander courses in one day, which was a challenge given the undulating terrain. A buggy might be useful here. There are excellent views, including of the Glasgow skyline, something made easier by the loss of many trees in recent years due to storms.

The Hilton Park layout was much more demanding that its sister Allander course, but as a combination of courses they compliment each other really well.

The well bunkered par three 12th hole, the stroke index 18 hole.

The course routing was a little confusing and I ended up playing the 15th hole twice, having also played some of the Allander holes in the wrong order. I suspect the reason was the shortened winter course. It was so wet, I was the only player.

The 18th is a strong finish at this undulating course.

Sadly, winter greens were in operation on the majority of holes, but I was only charged £30 for both rounds via Golfnow, which was excellent value. Overall, the Hilton Park property is one of the best in Scotland, and worth checking out.

The par four 13th, at well over 400 yards, will play as a 5 for most.

I could really imagine being a member at Hilton Park as the overall package is incredible value. It would make for a great society day out.

Views of Glasgow from the 8th, a short par 4, Moly’s only birdie hole.

Price £45.

Discount: Golf Now, £15, against the Winter rate of £30.

Course Type: Heathland

Par 70 (2 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance:5446 (yellow)

Course Rating / Slope Rating (yellow) 67/127.

Moly’s Gross score: 85

Moly’s Hilton Park Scorecard, using mostly winter greens – 84

179. Hilton Park Allander. 21 Mar 23

October 10, 2024 /

I wish AI could extend to golf – honest!

Value – 4.5/5

This is my first blog written with AI assistance.

Nestled near the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow, the Allander course at Hilton Park Golf Club offers a rich blend of history and natural beauty. Opened in 1928 and designed by James Braid it represents a good example of Braid’s artistry of balancing challenge and fun.

The approach to the first, presents a typical view of this Allander course.

Set within an area of beautiful scenery of rolling hills and lush heathland greenery, full of flora and fauna, the course is nice just to walk around.

The par four 5th on the Allander course, fully justified as the Stroke Index 1 hole.

I was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the PGA Pro, Ewan Grimes, who went out of their way to make me feel welcome. His knowledge and welcome were second to none, along with his stories.

Moly teeing off at the 15th on the Allander course at Hilton Park, a mid iron par three.

The course was in good condition. However, the drainage seemed poor, which was unexpected given the heathland conditions. Given the conditions there were several winter greens in play, which was a disappointment.

The tree lines framed many holes, but in fact the fairways were quite generous. Here at the par three 17th.

One of two courses at Hilton Park, the Allander is very much the secondary, shorter course. It would be worth playing though on in a fine summer day.

The Allander 18th hole, a mid length par four, with the impressive clubhouse.

So what do I think of using AI? It created a very bland and flowery draft, which was frankly difficult to take seriously. Clearly influenced by Golf Club websites, full of standard phrases ‘course for all all abilities’, ‘challenge for all’, etc etc, after editing it left me with no more than 4 meaningful sentences.

Price £45.

Discount: Golf Now, £15, against the Winter rate of £30.

Course Type: Heathland

Par 69 (2 par 5s, 11 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance:5446 (yellow)

Course Rating / Slope Rating (yellow) 67/127.

Moly’s Gross score: 85

Moly’s scorecard, but with several winter greens

178. Hollandbush. 20 Mar 23.

August 19, 2024 /

Tough South Lanarkshire Council course in perennial danger of closing

Value – 4/5

Hollandbush Golf Club near Lesmahagow was founded in 1955 as a 9 hole course, later extended to 18 in 1963. Web searching “Hollandbush GC future” though will return articles about council funding woes; it’s highly likely this blog becomes redundant in future after the course closes. This will be a great shame, as Hollandbush represents a great example of a Scottish municipal course.

The free course planner, a surprising addition at this municipal course, worth playing

South Lanarkshire council operates 6 courses, in addition to Hollandbush, the other 18 holes layouts are Biggar, Langlands and Torrance House, plus two nine hole courses of Larkhall and Strathclyde Country Park.

The 17th at Hollandbush, a drivable par four, but with well positioned protective ditches

Hollandbush also has an independent golf club, providing members with competition and social benefits. This is a common feature of municipal courses in Scotland. This ‘club’ costs £115 annually.

The well maintained ditches shown here at the difficult par 4 12th hole.

Golf pricing is interesting. Annual golf membership for one of South Lanarkshire’s 18 hole municipals is £475, but for just £32 more you can play all 6 courses for £508. If you can make sense of that price differential, good luck! A green fee in peak season is £25, but the winter senior rate I paid was only £9, incredible value.

The 14th at Hollandbush, with one of the relatively few bunkers at this course.

The course is well designed; with constant changes of direction, the undulating fairways, regularly interspersed with well maintained ditches, provide a tough challenge. The slope rating of 129 from the yellow tees testifies to that, albeit it was a fairly generous course from the tee.

The greens were good at this municipal course, here seen at the 10th hole, a long par 3, one of the best holes on the course.

The course was well presented, especially given the wet conditions. I saw no-one else playing and the car park had only one other car, possibly owned by the clubhouse attendant. I think the council could reasonably consider “honesty” box payment to reduce its costs.

The second was one of several card wreckers at this well designed golf course.

I played pretty well, scoring 88, but with 4 blobs. I actually beat the course ‘1 up’, something which is a good measure of your game,

As to the name ‘Hollandbush’ it remains a mystery for me despite my efforts to find it’s origin.

It’s worth playing Hollandbush, a course I hope continues operating.

Price £25.

Discount: Senior winter rate. £9

Course Type: Parkland

Par 70 (1 par 5, 14 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance: 5552 (yellow)

Course Rating / Slope Rating (yellow) 67.8/129.

Moly’s Gross score: 88

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