1946 – 1999 – Page 10 – Scotland Golf Bible

Camperdown’s 1st hole – a wonderful start.

This might just be the best value golf in Scotland, if not the World!

Summary: Midweek £20 (round); £30 (day); weekend £25/£35 . Par 71. Value (out of 5) – 5

Detail: This championship quality golf course is within the grounds of Camperdown Country Park, on the North-East boundary of Dundee. The course is carved into the wonderful woodland surrounding, with many holes being unseen from each other. This, coupled with the undulating fairways, make it a truly great layout. Add the excellent fairway, green, tee and bunker conditions and the £20 per round fee, and you have incredible value golf.

Camperdown 3rd Green in bloom

Golfing visitors should make every effort to play at Camperdown, and ask themselves this question: Have I played better value golf anywhere else in the world? I have played golf in many countries and nothing comes close in pay per play value.

The long Avenue of trees which mark the 11th at Camperdown

Described in the national press as one of the ‘Magnificent 7’ courses in ‘Carnoustie Country’, this is a ‘must play’ for every level of golfer. However, be aware it is a tough test of golf, especially the back 9, which is more penal off the tee than the front 9, compounded by the legs starting to tire on this long walk.

I was out in 46 and back in 56, with a typically mercurial round: only 3 over for the first 6 holes, I was 18 over for the next 6, and a 9 at the 16th scuppered any chance of breaking 100. My 29 stableford points using 7/8 allowance, is a better reflection of my play.

Moly on Camperdown’s 13th Green

There are many fine holes at Camperdown, with the key premium being straight off the tee, the best example being the par 5 11th, played down a long avenue of trees with a small dog leg to the green, making it inaccessible in 2 shots (to my eye anyway!).

The magnificent backdrop to the 18th at Camperdown

The 18th is a magnificent final hole, played towards the Camperdown House with a wide variety of trees in view.

Although off course facilities are limited, the golf course is the star here – I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Key Facts

Course Type: Woodland

Green Fees:

Weekday £20 round (£16 concession), £30 day
Weekend £25 round (£19 concession), £35 day
Winter Greens £12

Par 71 (3 par 5, 11 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance(yellow) yards

Moly’s Gross score: 102

Moly’s Camperdown Scorecard – 46 out, 56 back!

9 hole course in the heart of the Speyside Whisky Trail – suggest you play before you tipple.

Summary: £20 (18 holes). ; £15 (9 holes) Par 35. Score 48. Value (out of 5) – 2.5

Detail; This is a nice course especially if you are holidaying in the highlands and just “fancy a game”. Although potentially classed as a “highland” course, its has a typical “parkland” feel, without any of the characteristic heather found on other highland courses.

The course sits to the North above the village of Rothes, and is close to many of the local distilleries which make up the famous “whisky trail”. Indeed, it’s just a couple of miles from “The Macallan”, often cited as one of the great single malts.

As to the course, it is on a fairly exposed bit of land, so check the weather forecast for the wind and rain forecast. A north easterly wind in particular, which is what I faced , makes the first 2 holes up a slight hill very formidable, with out of bounds done the left. My main tip is to forego length on the first 2 holes and get it on the fairway.

The fine 3rd hole, probably the course signature – beware the hidden ditch

The 3rd hole, the first played downhill, is one of those holes that is more difficult from the yellow tee (played as a par 4), rather than the white tee (played as a par 5). Watch out for the hidden ditch which will catch a well hit drive from the yellow.

The fairways and greens were well kept and in good condition for the time of year. There is a nice clubhouse with bar and snacks available.

My main gripe with Rothes is the relatively expensive cost of just wanting to play 9 holes – £15 versus £20 for 18 holes. I think these highland course depend on the holiday golfer for

The short 6th – one of the better birdie opportunities

income and often holidaymakers just want to have a 9 hole round. Perhaps a fee around 60% of the full fee is more appropriate.

Nonetheless, don’t let that put you off playing, between visits to the local distilleries. It has some lovely open views of the countryside to make your round enjoyable.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fees: 18 holes £20, 9 holes £15 (All week)

Par 35 (1 par 5, 6 par 4s, 2 par 3s)

Distance(yellow): 2472 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 48

Moly’s Rothes Scorecard – Disastrous start an understatement!

Category: 1946 – 1999 (Page 10 of 10)

19. Camperdown. 2 July 2015. CLOSED

Par 71 (3 par 5, 11 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

13. Rothes; 8th April 2015

Par 35 (1 par 5, 6 par 4s, 2 par 3s)

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