Category: James Braid (Page 9 of 10)

29. Comrie. 25th Aug 2015

August 29, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Comrie’s 9 is better than most 18s

Round (9 holes) £15. Par 35. Value (out of 5) – 4

Moly’s approach to the short par 4 2nd at Comrie

Ever played on a course where the original layout was 9 holes, but a later extension to 18 completely destroyed the beauty and originality of the initial layout? Comrie, in Perthshire, is testament to why sometimes leaving a great 9 hole layout as just that is the best thing to do!

Comrie’s Par 3 3rd tee

Comrie is a really great 9 hole course, founded in 1891, and with significant input later by the renowned architect James Braid. Off the white tees it is over 3000 yards, but even off the yellow (at 2699 yards) it is a demanding test of golf. No two holes are similar, and with the high standard of the course, coupled with great views of the local Perthshire hills, it’s well worth going out of your way to play Comrie. It also has a delightful clubhouse with a comfortably furnished lounge to while away the hours in the lovely surroundings.

Views of Perthshire Hills above the Comrie clubhouse viewed from 5th tee

The fairways are quite generous, but the rough is very penal, so think twice about taking driver, even on the long par 5 6th – even for long hitters, this is likely to be a 3 shot hole, because of the very clever short dog leg right to the green, only some 50 yards further on.

The greens were also in excellent condition when I played, albeit slower than what one might expect in August.

Par 3 5th at Comrie

It would be difficult to pick any signature hole, but I thought the par 3 5th, par 5 6th and par 4 7th, represented a run of great golfing architecture.

For my own game, I was 3 over after 5, and then 10 over for the next 4; I just cant help getting a bit excited when I string some form together, then the golfing gods always decide to teach me a lesson. Oh well, if you cant help but play badly, Comrie’s delightful course lifts your spirits.

In trouble at the 6th!

Well worth a game here.

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

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

Distance (yellow) 2699 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 48

Stableford 15

Moly’s Comrie Scorecard – 48

26. Grantown-on-Spey. 6th Aug 2015.

August 11, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Best Value Highland Golf

Round £29 ( any day). Par 70. Value (out of 5) – 5

The Signature 9th at Grantown on Spey

Grantown-on-Spey is in the Strathspey area of The Highlands, an important location for whiskey and salmon fishing lovers, both of which benefit from the waters of the Spey river.

The difficult drive at 10th tee

This course was formed in 1890 and designed by Willie Park with assistance from James Braid. Unlike some if its neighbouring “highland” courses, Grantown is a traditional parkland course, with holes 7-12 played through some hilly woodland, without the expected broom and heather.

12th green Grantown on Spey

In many ways I think Grantown is overshadowed by the nearby Boat of Garten course, which gets so many accolades, although it is a similar length to “The Boat”, and represents a good challenge for all.

In terms of condition, it is unparalleled in the area in my view, and gives some of the prestigious more expensive courses a run for their money. One of my visiting playing partners said “the last time I saw a course so well presented was the K-Club during the Ryder Cup!” That’s high praise indeed to the small green keeping staff. Considering it has a £29 round change on any day, it scores the highest “Value for Money” rating of 5. It also has a well presented clubhouse with all the expected facilities.

The well bunkered par 3 16th

The ‘signature’ hole is the 275 yard 9th, a short downhill par 4 with a spectacular backdrop of the Cromdale Hills. There are also views of the Cairngorms. There are some difficult holes with out of bounds coming into play regularly for both “hookers” and “slicers” – no-one is safe. My favourite holes are the 3rd, 7th, 10th, 12th and 15th. The only tips I would give are take enough club at the par 3 8th and 11th, both played uphill. Also, don’t have a disaster in the middle of your round like I did (12 over for the 13th, 14th and 15th – my 32 Stableford points tells I played well otherwise).

The 17th green – Grantown on Spey

Go out of your way to play Grantown, it is amongst the best value golf anywhere in the world.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 70 (1 par 5, 14 par 4s, 34 par 3s)

Distance (white) 5710 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 96

Moly’s Grantown scorecard – 96

25. Boat of Garten. 4 Aug 2015

August 8, 2015 / Moly McMillan

“The Boat” – the “must play” highland course

Weekday round £45; weekend £49. Par 70. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

The Ladies 2nd tee,, with Cairngorms in the background

“The Boat”, close to Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, was founded in 1898, with the current 18 hole layout designed by the renowned James Braid in 1930.

The course could serve as the definition of what a “highland course” should be – a good variation of challenging holes carved into a surrounding landscape of trees, heather and broom, against a backdrop of the Cairngorm mountains.

The magnificent 6th “Avenue”

On a good day, especially if playing well, then this may be as close to golfing paradise as it gets. This has been recognised through the many accolades the course has won, including being “Scotland’s No 1 Hidden Gem”.

8th approach – Boat of Garten

The combination of (invariably) wind, changeable weather and some undulating fairways, makes “the Boat” feel and play longer than its 5876 yards from the white tees. Play to your handicap here versus the SSS 69 and many will rightly be referring you to the Handicap committee.

Regardless of your play, this is a beautifully architected course. The unusual opening par 3 first hole at nearly 190 yards is normally played into the prevailing wind – with danger left and right – par or bogie is a good start. Then the 2nd and 4th played in the same direction, mean that getting to the 5th tee with your score intact is key to your overall score. After a bit of respite at the 5th, normally with the wind, the 6th, called “Avenue” is a magnificent longer par 4, played to a plateau green.

Boat of Garten – 11th Ladies Tee

There are then many further great holes on this course, with only the 9th and 10th being the main easier birdie contenders. The 18th is a fantastic hole, demanding a long drive if you are to have any chance of holding a shot on the plateau green.

The course was in lovely condition when I played, with the greens true and fast.

Boat of Garten’s 18th approach

Due to its celebrity this is a popular course with visitors from both home and abroad, therefore ensure to make a booking. I played a twilight round (after 4pm) at only £30 – brilliant value.

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

Par 70 (2 par 5, 12 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (white) 5876 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 99

Moly’s Boat of Garten Scorecard

21. Kirriemuir. 9th July 2015

July 9, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Kirriemuir – Gateway to the Angus Glens

Summary: Round Sun-Fri £24; Sat £28 . Par 68. Value (out of 5) – 3.5

Detail: Kirriemuir is the “Gateway” to the Angus Glens, the collective name for the six

Approach to 4th, with Angus Glens in the background

glens (Glens Doll, Clova, Prosen, Isla, Lethnot and Esk) which run in the same general direction stretching through the Angus countryside towards the edge of the Cairngorm National Park.

Kirriemuir, close to Glamis Castle, is one of several towns in the area with golf courses, therefore golf here can be part of a holiday, with walking, cycling and fishing being other sports abundantly on offer.

7th green at Kirriemuir

Kirriemuir is a lovely course, with spectacular open country views of the Glens, particularly on the front 9. The course is not long, so if you get off the tee well, you’ll be leaving your mid irons in the bag. I didn’t use an iron longer than an 8 off the fairway. Therefore, this is a course that most players can play well on.

13th Green at Kirriemuir looking towards the tee

The greens were excellent when I played, as were the fairways – overall a very well kept course, with ample fairways. The course has been described as Heathland, but I think Parkland if more fitting given the amount of trees. The main difficultly I faced was the slickness of the greens, which meant holding an iron onto the green difficult.

The only annoyance when I played was the use of mats on the par 3s, which given the condition of the tees was not necessary in my view.

16th Green at Kirriemuir

The highlights of the course for me, was the par 4 13th stoke index 1, which you need to be to the right of the fairway to approach the well guarded green. There was the unusual finish of par 3s at both the 16th and 17th holes, with the 17th being the toughest of the par 3s.

Long par 3 17th at Kirriemuir

Kirriemuir is a course where every level of golfer has the opportunity to play well, and is well worth a visit

Key Facts

Course Type: parkland/heathland

Green Fees:

Round: Sun-Fri £24; Sat £28
Day: Sun-Fri £32; Sat £36

Par 68 (0 par 5, 14 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance(white) 5223 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 91

Moly’s Kirriemuir Scorecard – 91

Category: James Braid (Page 9 of 10)

29. Comrie. 25th Aug 2015

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

26. Grantown-on-Spey. 6th Aug 2015.

Par 70 (1 par 5, 14 par 4s, 34 par 3s)

25. Boat of Garten. 4 Aug 2015

Par 70 (2 par 5, 12 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

21. Kirriemuir. 9th July 2015

Par 68 (0 par 5, 14 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

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