Category: Perthshire (Page 5 of 6)

42. Murrayshall Lynedoch. 6th June 2016.

June 7, 2016 / Moly McMillan

The “junior” Murrayshall course provides a surprisingly outstanding challenge

Round £30 ( variable on-line). Par 68. Value (out of 5) – 4

The Murrayshall estate, first built in 1664, was established as a commercially successful Country House hotel in the early 1970s, following the sale of the estate by the Norrie-Millar family, of whom Francis Norrie-Millar was one of the key instrumentalists in building the General Accident insurance company in nearby Perth, only 3 miles to the west of Murrayshall.

Approach to the par 4 second - requiring a well placed tee shot, into a narrow green over a deep ditch.

Approach to the par 4 2nd – requiring a well placed tee shot, into a narrow green over a deep ditch.

The esteemed golf architect Hamilton J Strutt (grandson of James Braid’s foreman) designed the original Championship course in the 70s, and returned to design the Lynedoch course which opened in 2000. The latter course is named after Thomas Graham, aka Lord Lynedoch, who became second in command to the Duke of Wellinton’s Armies in the early 1800s.

Playing the Lynedoch actually reminds you of the Duke of Wellington when importalised in song for “marching them up to the top of the hill, and marching them down again!” There’s plenty of hills to march up and down on the Lynedoch course, which feels longer than its 5279 yards off the white tees. I wouldn’t recommend carrying a full bag!

The demanding SI 1, par 5 14th hole on The Lynedoch

The demanding SI 1, narrow par 5 14th hole on The Lynedoch

The Lynedoch Course really surprised me for both its quality and character, given that it is very much the junior course at Murrayshall. It is very difficult to give a single course type categorisation, and is a mix of woodland and parkland/medow, and has some wonderful highland views to the north. It also has a fair amount of bracken, ditch/water hazards and Disney sized bunkers on some holes.

Given its all round quality and design, it’s arguably better value than the longer Championship course. It has many memorable holes, starting on the first, a dog leg right par 4, which is much harder than the stroke index of 10 would suggest. The second, a shorter par 4, starts to lay out the need for accuracy needed here. Then the 3rd is the first of 6 delighful par 3s, with a hugh amount of variety.

The long par 3 15th tee on The Lynedoch, with deep ditch just visible on the left - cant impagine many 2s here!

The long par 3 15th tee on The Lynedoch, with deep ditch just visible on the left – can’t imagine many 2s here!

My favourite holes were the 14th, 15th and 16th, with stroke indexes 1, 5 and 3 repectively – I rather suspect these holes have defined many match play games here. The 15th is particularly interesting played as a long par 3 (212 yards) off white but as a short par 4 (294 yards) off yellow. It requires the most accurate tee shot, due to a right to left sloping fairway into a deep ravine/ditch – which I had to chip out of!

View from green at the par 3 15th (although par 4 from yellow tees)

The course was in excellent all round condition when I played and I had a very mercurial round of 88 (net 2 over), including 3 birdies for the second time in my life, but unfortunately 2 quadruple and 1 triple bogie! I think this scorecard rather sums up the Lynedoch course – lots of opportunity and hazard, but very true greens!

I highly recommend playing here.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland/Woodland

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

Distance (white) 5279 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 88

A mercurial 88, with 3 birdies and 2 quadruple bogies!

39. Dalmunzie. 18th May 2016

May 22, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Enjoy the great views but don’t bother playing the course

Round £15. Par 30. Value (out of 5) – 1.5

Dalmunzie golf course is situated on the Dalmunzie Estate located at the Spital of Glenshee, mid way between Blairgowrie and Braemar, just south of the Glenshee skiing centre.

Long 235 yards Par 3 first hole at Dalmunzie

The course was designed by Tom Simpson in the 1920s as a private course for Sir Archibald Birkmyre, who was from a family line of “Jute Barons” based in India.

The views from the course are pretty spectacular. However, the estate and the course have long since past their glory days, and show signs of a lack of maintenance. This is a shame as the architect created some really challenging holes.

The 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th in my view are all really tough par 3s, all with very different challenges.

Fran on 3rd tee at Dalmunzie

The opening hole plays like a short par 4, judgement of distance is difficult on both the mid-iron 4th and 5th holes, and the short 7th plays over the “Shee Water” burn to a very small “front to back” target. Play well on these holes and you’ll likely score well overall. The long par 4 6th at 450 yards is also a challenge.

Difficult 5th hole with Green tucked on the plateau on the right

The course was in poor condition when we played, in particular the greens were badly in need of cutting. The general condition of the course was “tired”.

Critical to get distance right on the par 3 7th hole.

On the day, I played to one over handicap, which given that the greens were so poor I was pretty happy with – I also hit it in the water in front of the 7th green but at least found 3 others in the water waiting to be found!

9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background - an apt finishing hole at Dalmunzie

The mole surrounded 9th green at Dalmuzie with dilapidated tennis courts in the background – an apt finishing hole sadly at Dalmunzie

Some Facts

Course Type: Highland

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

Distance 2099 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 41

Stableford 16

Moly’s Dalmunzie Scorecard – 40

38. Dunning. 6th May 2016.

May 12, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Dunning is a little gem – but don’t play the locals!

Round £12. Par 33. Value (out of 5) – 4

Dunning is a beautiful little gem of a 9 hole golf course situated in the Perthshire village of the same name, with the backdrop of the Ochil Hills, about 10 miles south west of Perth. It is easily accessible by car being about 2 miles from the main A9 – I suspect, like me, many readers will have driven past Dunning many times.

The intimidating 1st tee at Dunning with Out of Bounds along the right.

The current course was laid out by Joe Anderson in 1946 on lands gifted by Lord Rollo of Pitcairn, who remains the Honorary President of the club. However, don’t let this lordly context leave you mistaken that Dunning is in any way uppity – quite the contrary, I found the welcome among the warmest and humblest I’ve ever received as a visitor.

The well manicured 1st green at Dunning

The club also boasts many progressive policies to expand the game of golf, such as a free open day each year to allow potential members to play.

The course was in excellent condition when I played with my wife; the tees, fairways and greens were all great and the bunkers in particular would put many links courses to shame.

The approach to the 3rd at Dunning with the rural Perthshire backdrop

The course is on nice open parkland and at only 2199 yards off yellow or 2405 off the white tees, should offer some birdie chances. However, there are several challenges. The first tee shot with OOB all along the right makes for a tough opening. Next, the long par 3 second will play like a par 4 for many.

My wife Fran chips over the water hazard in front of the tricky par three 5th hole at Dunning

There is also several tricky hazards, including the water in front of the 5th, to the left of the 6th green and all the way down the left of 7 – for those who take a more conservative line to the right of the 7th fairway need to go over 2 deep and hidden bunkers in front of the green.

Out of Bounds down the left at the cleverly architectured 7th

The club has a catering partnership with two local business ladies – in effect the club house is the local tea rooms.

I played very well, with a birdie on the first, and was round in 38, 5 over the card, although 7 over the SSS of 31.

Lastly, Colin Montgomerie, arguably Scotland’s finest ever golfer (I know, I know!), lives in the village and is an Honorary Club Member. I did mention not to play the locals!

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 33 (6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance 2199 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 38

Stableford 22

Moly’s Dunning scorecard – a good day:)

37. Strathmore Leitfie Links. 22 Apr 2016.

April 24, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Little 9 hole course ideal for holiday or starter golf – but not a Links!

Round £12. Par 29. Value (out of 5) – 3

Leitfie Links is a 9 hole course and part of the Strathmore Golf Centre which also has the 18-hole Rannaleroch Course. The centre is in the Strathmore valley, sometimes referred as the River Isla valley, in eastern Perthshire, close to the town of Alyth.

4th hole at Leitfie Links – one of the 2 par 4s

As I was playing the “links”, I couldn’t help wondering if any foreign holiday maker had ever turned up for a taster of Scottish “Links” golf and come away wondering what all the fuss was about. After all, this very open parkland layout of only 1666 yards is about as far removed from a test of Scottish Links than you could imagine. Although much debate exists about what defines a “links” course, if any “links” copyright were ever developed Leitfie would definitely not qualify!

3rd green at Leitfie Links

Nonetheless, Leitfie (the name of the local hamlet and associated farm) is a great place if you were looking for either a taster of golf or a short 1 hour warm up before playing its challenging 18 hole neighbour.

4th green at Leitfie Links, which is in the heart of rural farmland

Although its a short course, the small greens, some sloping, and the couple of long pars 3s (2 and 8) make it a challenge especially for your scrambling game. The 8th, in particular, is very tricky to hit with a hedge running very tight the whole 200 yards from tee to green. The 2 tier 9th green is also very difficult to find on the right level.

The course was in quite good condition, with nice fairways, but no more than average tees and greens. However, for the price and the fact you can go round as many times as you like in a day, it represents good value.

The 110 yard 9th at Leitfie Links – a tricky 2 level green requires precise distance control

I went round twice and was 39 versus the card of 29 the first time round; this was to my new handicap (20) that was recently cut following an improvement in my game having had lessons from Ross Dixon of the Renaissance Club – Ross is highly recommended.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 29 (2 par 4s, 7 par 3s)

Distance 1666 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 39 (first 9 on card below)

Stableford 17

Strathmore Leitfie Links Scorecard – 39

Category: Perthshire (Page 5 of 6)

42. Murrayshall Lynedoch. 6th June 2016.

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

39. Dalmunzie. 18th May 2016

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

38. Dunning. 6th May 2016.

Par 33 (6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

37. Strathmore Leitfie Links. 22 Apr 2016.

Par 29 (2 par 4s, 7 par 3s)

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