4.5 star – Page 5 – Scotland Golf Bible

Challenging Parkland Golf in Centre of Fife

Weekday round £18; weekend £22 . Par 71. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

1st tee at Glenrothes

Glenrothes golf course is set in a prominent position on the high ground to the west of Glenrothes and offers a mainly parkland setting; some of the back 9 is exposed to the elements with a more heathland feel.

Approach to the 7th at Glenrothes

It is one of 7 courses managed by the Fife Golf Trust which was established in 2011 to take over Fife Council’s directly managed courses. This is becoming a common practice by Local Authorities in Scotland to manage golf courses. The golf club itself is private, like many Scottish clubs associated with publicly owned courses, and welcomes visitors .

The heathland feel of the 12th at Glenrothes

This is a challenging golf course, with quite wide fairways, although if you stray into the rough you are penalised severely, so be well equipped with balls if you are wayward from the tee. There are some great individual holes, with the highlights for me being the 9th, 10th and 12th. The bunkers to the long par 3 10th being very well positioned, so better being long than short.

18th green and clubhouse at Glenrothes

The heathland holes on the back 9, 11th through 13th, are exposed to the elements and in a breeze (which I had) proved to be a card wrecker – I was 15 over for these 3 holes, with several lost balls in the heavy rough. Another thing to be aware of is the large greens, therefore ample opportunity to 3 putt.

Amply named final hole – given my 62 on the back 9.

The course was in very good condition when I played, with only some attention to some fairways needed to get to the next level. However, with a twilight round only £12 (after 3pm), this is fantastic value golf. I think many visitors to Scotland would be surprised at the quality of such a public golf course.

This is a highly recommended course to play.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland/heathland

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

Distance (yellow) 6223 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 107

Moly’s Glenrothes Scorecard – 107 (62 on back 9!)

Breath-taking scenery, but your “A” game is required if you want to truly enjoy the views!

Summary: Cost £40 (midweek pm). Par 72. Score 102. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

Andy’s approach to the 18th with the Cairgorm mountains in view (note the rain on the right!)

Detail: Spey Valley, designed by the renowned architect Dave Thomas, is part of the McDonald Aviemore hotel resort. It is a magnificent golf course that feels much more mature than its actual age and is now an established part of the European Challenge Tour, hosting the Scottish Hydro Challenge (2009-2014). The scenery of the Cairngorm mountain range is breath-taking and Spey Valley, arguably, has the best golf views from any course in the UK.

The formidable approach shot to the 15th green

The course is a significant test at over 7000 yards from the white tees with a SS of 75, versus a par of 72. It’s a very traditional layout with 4 par 3s and 4 par 5s, with the 5th being Scotland’s longest hole at 635 yds (608 yds off Yellow!). The par 3s are particularly challenging and I needed a wood from the tee on them all. The heath and the heather are always close by to eat up your precious golf balls, so make sure you stock up well before starting.

Spey Valley’s version of the “spectacles” on the 7th – in range with a driver.

Andy Needham and Alvin Hopley of the Army GC

I played with Alvin Hopley (8 hcp) and Andy Needham (19 hcp), both of the Army GC; we played a three-ball match play game, using the 6 points/per hole format. Alvin and I halved, both narrowly beating Andy. In truth the golf course soundly beat all 3 of us and this on a day blessed with sunshine and only a light highland breeze. I scored 102, but the local assistant pro advised that many people never break 100 on this monster.

Take your A game or lots of balls – probably both!

At a £40 green fee, which also received 20% discount because I played free using a Golfcare voucher, this course is also incredible value. However, either ensure you take your A game, or just accept that the fee is worth it for the views alone whilst having a drink in the lovely little bar with its nice terrace area.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland/Heathland

Green Fees: Variable Summer PM (not twilight): £40

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

Distance(white): 7071 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 102

Moly’s scorecard – 102 with 3 lost balls

Category: 4.5 star (Page 5 of 5)

24. Glenrothes. 15th July 2015.

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

10. Spey Valley; 7th July 2014

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

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