Category: 2.5 star (Page 5 of 6)

28. Brechin. 22nd Aug 2015

August 23, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Weak link in the Braid Association?

Round £40 (variable). Par 72. Value (out of 5) – 2.5

Green at the par 3 third at Brechin

This 6162 yard, 18 hole parkland course, was founded in 1893 and is part of the Braid Association – a group of courses designed by James Braid, which gives golf playing discounts to members of courses within the association. On closer examination, some of the association’s courses have fairly tenuous links to Braid – in Brechin’s case, it’s website claims:

“By 1926 the famous James Braid was invited to play the course. J.P Gellatly, the Club’s Captain at the time, generously offered to pay his fee. Braid was so impressed he suggested suitable sites for sand bunkers in the Limefield section (holes 10-17) of the course.”

The tricky and fun par 4 8th at Brechin

It’s clear that holes 10-17 are the best part of the course, with holes 13 and 14 being the toughest in my book – the greens are also measurably better in the section and some of the best in the area. However stand on the first tee and you’ll realise this is a weak addition to the Braid association.

12th green at Brechin with views of the Angus Hills

Moreover, several of the holes are new editions in the 1990s, and fairly bland additions at that. These new holes are on either side of the Brechin A90 bypass and designed by John Farrell.

The 8th deserves a mention, which is a shortish par 4, with a very small gap in a line of trees – the only tactic I could see was take driver and try and clear the trees – there is an ironically placed wishing well to the front right of the green – I enjoyed this humour from the Members:)

Brechin is nevertheless in a nice setting, with good views of the Angus Glens, and is easily accessible and close to the main Dundee-Aberdeen road – coupled with some good clubhouse facilities it would make an excellent venue for a society golf day. However, the amount of road noise is significant.

Brechin’s 17th green

It’s a well kept course, with nice fairways and greens, but the £40 per round is a bit over priced in my opinion, hence the value for money score of 2.5.

I played well on the front 9, but 3 “blobs” on the back meant I ended up with a 97, for 31 stableford points.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 72 (4 par 5s, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (white) 6162 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 97

Moly’s Brechin Scorecard – 97

14. Kinloss Country; 9th April 2015

June 3, 2015 / Moly McMillan

Young “American” style parkland course close to Findhorn Bay on the Moray Coast

Summary: £20 (18 holes); £12.50 (9 holes); £30 (day). Par 68. Score 90. Value (out of 5) – 2.5

Detail; Kinloss Country is a bit like the proverbial Curate’s Egg – “good in parts”. It is an unusual parkland find on this links laden Moray coastline.

The difficult par 3 third, with sweeping views to the North

It has a very unusual start of 3 par 3s, the first 2 of which are very straight forward; indeed if you don’t pick up a scorecard, you might be forgiven for thinking you were on a par 3 course.

But things get better with the 3rd played downhill with sweeping views, with challenges ahead on the 5th and 7th two of the more difficult holes.

12th hole – with lake in front.

The 12th hole, most likely characterised as the signature hole, has a manufactured lake in front of the green, so make sure you take enough club.

The course was in reasonable condition when I played with special note for the good condition of the fairways and bunkers. The course is quite open to the elements though with the 11th being aptly named “Windy Hills”.

15th – A bit of a Pig!

In fact, please take heed of the hole names! Although I must admit the 15th hole, a bit of a pig, should be renamed.

I played pretty steady throughout, and shot 90, despite having two 8’s on the back 9.

I was also caught out at the 17th, called “Carnoustie Twist” – needless to say I found the hidden green side bunkers!

17th “Carnoustie Twist”

Kinloss Country also has a nice little clubhouse with reasonably priced food and drink; the staff were also particularly friendly.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to play again, but it is a nice holiday venture and is close by the wonderful Findhorn bay, an ideal spot for a nice pub meal or picnic.

Findhorn Bay, close to Kinloss Country GC

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fees: 18 holes £20, 9 holes £12.50, Day £30 (All week)

Par 68 (2 par 5, 10 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance(white) 5321 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 90

Moly’s Kinloss Country Scorecard – Gross 90

13. Rothes; 8th April 2015

May 23, 2015 / Moly McMillan

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!

6. St Andrews Balgove; 26th Dec 2013

December 31, 2013 / Moly McMillan / 0 Comments

Opportunity to score low at St Andrews!

The Balgove course is one of the relatively recent addidions to St Andrews. It is in the complex which shares the Golf Academy, Eden and Strathtyrum courses. Doing a course at the Golf Academy normally includes access to the Balgove 9 hole course, and is used as part of the courses.

1st tee

The course is an ideal beginners course, comprising only one real par 4, with 2 other holes (1st and 2nd) being 220 and 219 yards long but marked as par 4s on the card for some reason. Therefore the SS is really 28 in my opinion, not 30.

Although a vary short layout, the greens are very nicely architected, to give a real feel for a links greens, with some good greenside bunkers as well. The putting surfaces are however very flat, which when coupled to the excellent surfaces, means that birdie opportunities should exist for all levels of golfer.

Balgove double green

The 6th hole, runs alongside the “bigger” courses and is bounded by severe gorse, so lost balls are still possible here.

Overall, this is a really fun little course, which should not take much longer than an hour to play, and as such is a great warm up to it’s more substantial neighbours – don’t get

9th Green

seduced though that you’ll score as well on the neighbouring courses as you will on this!

Key Facts

Course Type: Links

Green Fees: 20 Oct -13 Apr – £8; 14 Apr – 19 Oct – £15; Children £3

Par 30 (3 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance: 1520 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 34

Balgove scorecard

Category: 2.5 star (Page 5 of 6)

28. Brechin. 22nd Aug 2015

Par 72 (4 par 5s, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

14. Kinloss Country; 9th April 2015

Par 68 (2 par 5, 10 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

13. Rothes; 8th April 2015

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

6. St Andrews Balgove; 26th Dec 2013

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