Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Niall C on January 05, 2018, 11:20:16 AM
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By fairly common consent England has its best nine holer in the Sacred Nine, although I know a few GCA’ers who might argue otherwise, but what of Scotland ? What is its “best” nine holer ? I’ve got my own ideas but interested in hearing others views, so lets have your nomination, top 5, or top 10 nine-hole courses.
I’ll let you choose how you determine best.
Niall
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I've only played a couple of nine-hole courses in Scotland, but I'll offer Durness. Once you catch your breath after climbing to the first green, it's quite fun, building nicely to the 8th and 9th holes overlooking Balnakeil Bay and the beach.
Holiday golf, to be sure, but the setting can't be beat.
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As you rightly imply, defining 'best' is harder than coming up with a list. Defining 'best' as 'which Scottish 9-holers would I most like to revisit' I'd get the ball rolling with
Tobermory
Comrie
Gairloch
Harris (Scarista)
Durness
But there are plenty I've yet to visit which no doubt should be added to the list... I await with interest the other contributions.
Ian
PS I'm assuming the Shiskene with 12 holes is ruled out : - )
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St. Andrew's Eden ;)
Separating courses at the lower-end of the spectrum isn't that easy, but i'll take a quick bite:
1. Cruden Bay - St. Olaf's
2. Mussleburgh Links
3. Traigh
4. Killin
5. Rosehearty
6. Durness
7. Dalmunzie Castle
8. Tarbat (Portmahomack) *I had about 15mins of daylight to check this out, but saw enough to want to go back.
9. Comrie
10. Carradale
Abernethy, Tobermory, Benbecula, The Isle of Harris, Gairloch, St Medan look like they are worth checking out.
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Yes, Durness would likely be in my top 10 but I do wonder if that is more about the surroundings although the golf is nice enough. Ian mentioned Comrie which was one of my first plays last year. A lovely course with some really strong holes. Killin was another newbie for me last year which I really enjoyed despite the soft conditions in part and losing a ball that ran through a green by a few feet.
Dalmunzie Castle is a blast even if the 3 holes by the hotel aren’t up to much. Portmahomack – again like Clyde only walked it, and on the recommendation of David Tepper. It’s perhaps about as varied a mix of holes as you could get on a patch of farmland with of the wildest most heaving fairways you can imagine.
All good stuff so far with quite a few that are on the radar but haven’t played, and few more that have just been added to the list.
Niall
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My list (for today as far as the order is concerned) would be:
1. Durness Wonderful setting (there will be a common theme here!) and actually I feel its a step up from mere holiday golf. 4, 5 and 6 at the far end are wonderful, but its 9 that most will remember and rightly so!
2. Bonar BridgeAnother great setting, but inland this time. I'm sure I remember readings somewhere that its like Gleneagles in miniature?
3. "Wee" nine at BlairgowrieContains many of the original holes MacKenzie holes from his 1927 layout. 2, 5 and 6 are all fun doglegs, but considering the quality of the par 3s on the adjacent "Rosemount" I dont recall much of them on this course?
4. Tarbat (Portmahomack)
A little out of the way, but anyone passing Tain on the way to Dornoch should check it out. 4, 6, 7 and 8 all have great links ground movement!
5. Traigh
Great views out towards various Inner Hebrides islands makes for a great backdrop to par 3 5th and 9th. Multi choice fairway on the par 5 2nd makes for a fun start.
6. Gairloch
I've a soft spot for this one after getting my first ace on its 2nd. Interesting mix of holes with the 91 yard 7th followed by the 526 yard 8th along the bay, a reasonable length par 5 often being a rarity on these 9 holers.
7. Brahan
Interesting architecture from one of our own!
Kenmore, Killin and Isle of Skye round off my top 10, but less to write about on these. A real shame especially with Skye. Not a bad course, just on such a wonderful island its a shame there isnt a better course.
Still plenty for me to see. I've driven past every one of these so either had a look from the road or car park and fancy getting a round at: Abernethy, Ballachulish, Carradale, Carrbridge, Dunaverty, Fort Augustus, Isle of Harris, Tobermorey...So don't just wiz from one big name to another, make sure you stop at one of the smaller ones as well!
Cheers,James
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I played New Galloway on the way to Turnberry for the 2009 Open. It's a classic starts in the valley, most of the course is on the moor layout. The course says that members believe it to be Scotland's best nine holer on its website; well, I'm not so sure about that, but once you get up the enormous hill that takes up the first two holes and out onto the open moor, it's certainly very nice. They allow you to cut across from 8 to 3, hence playing a 15 hole round and avoiding going down the hill and back up again if it is quiet. Which was nice.
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I can’t remember which one it is (8th possibly) but there’s one great hole at Gairloch - a par 5 above the beach - that’s almost worth the visit on its own.
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Think I only have 2 in Scotland
Traigh-well worth the visit/detour.
Carradale-pairs nicely with Arran/Shiskine(several attractive 9 holers there I think) also and/or Machrihanish/Dunaverty
Isle of Harris, Durness, and Covesea look like great spots.
Can't leave out Musselburgh can we?
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I can only remember having played three nine holers in Scotland:
Musselburgh Old (had to amend as Jeff beat me to it whilst typing!)
The Wee Course at Blairgowrie
Bridge of Allan
I’d probably rank them in that order too. History and uniqueness of the surroundings are obviously a factor at Musselburgh but there is some good golf in there which lifts it to the top of my (admittedly short) list.
Scarista, Durness and Traigh would top the list of those I’d like to see.
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There is a website, or maybe it’s a Facebook a/c, that details all the 9-holers in Scotland. Unable to recall it’s title just now. Some googling might find it for you.
Other than the famous long cliff side par-3 what’s the 9-hole course at Anstruther like?
Quite a few 18-hole clubs also have 9-holers - Murcar, Fraserburgh,
Peterhead, Nairn - variable quality though.
Atb
PS - anyone going to Cruden Bay and not playing the St Olaf is missing out big time. Holes 6-7-8 on the StO are some of the best holes of all the 27 (28) at C.B.
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As you rightly imply, defining 'best' is harder than coming up with a list. Defining 'best' as 'which Scottish 9-holers would I most like to revisit' I'd get the ball rolling with
Tobermory
Comrie
Gairloch
Harris (Scarista)
Durness
But there are plenty I've yet to visit which no doubt should be added to the list... I await with interest the other contributions.
Ian
PS I'm assuming the Shiskene with 12 holes is ruled out : - )
Speaking of Gairloch, Graylyn Loomis did a nice little write-up on the course here:
http://www.graylynloomis.com/gairloch-golf-club-review/
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I think I've only played one nine-hole course in Scotland, Carradale, and I absolutely love it.
If you travel to play Machrihanish Dunes-Machrihanish Old, Dunaverty and Carradale are musts.
Second hole, about 320 yards, Arran in the background.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4647/27748831819_841b2d6f6b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Jh51WP)P1000386.JPG (https://flic.kr/p/Jh51WP) by Anthony Pioppi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137719615@N02/), on Flickr
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Covesea is a blast and highly recommended if you are playing Moray, Nairn, et cetera. Up and around the seastacks like a miniature Cullen.
Similarly, play Rosehearty if you are in the Fraserburgh neighborhood. A few great holes in the middle of the round, especially the 5th and 6th.
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Other than the famous long cliff side par-3 what’s the 9-hole course at Anstruther like?
Completely forgot about Anstruther when doing my top-10.
Windy, really windy! Otherwise pretty rudimentary. The first tackles an abrupt rise, which is driven down from to finish, and from there it is flat, exposed cliff-top with the exception of the two back-to-back threes. Worth a quick run around just for a crack at the impossibly difficult three.
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The best 10 that I can remember, alphabetically:
Anstruther
Auchterderran
Bridge of Allan
Comrie
Dalmunzie
Durness
Killin
Musselburgh
Portmahamock
St. Olaf's
.....and my favorite, unfortunately mostly NLE now, Dornoch Struie, which in the early 1980's consisted of 6 holes which were a part of the original Championship 18 up to 1940 (13-18) and 3 from the Ladies course......
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Considering I played the Struie when I was a kid with my mother (ie. well before the 1980's before anyone asks !) it must have been a nine holer then. I can still clearly remember a couple of the holes which hadn't changed much when I played them many years later.
In no particular order here's my top ten of the moment;
Strathtay - while the list isn't in any particular order I'd have to say this is probably my favourite of the moment. Anyone going north up the A9 would do well to stop off here for a quick round or two. Wooden shack for a clubhouse with an honesty box system, the course sits in about 30 odd acres I'd guess and has a house in the middle of it ! Despite that through the terrain and by dint of a few cross over holes it manages to provide some cracking if at times puzzling golf.
Dalmunzie - another detour off the A9 albeit a good bit longer. Largely a Tom Simpson design I think with some later modifications. Despite 3 pedestrian holes near the hotel the rest of the golf is well worth the drive.
Covesea - originally a 12 hole par 3 course that was made into a nine holer by means of joining together some of the holes. It has two of the funkiest/best short par 3's anywhere (OK, Scotland) and a couple of fun driveable par 4's. Due to the small budget the maintenance regime means the rough tends to be, well.........rough, so don't play with new Pro V's. That said, highly enjoyable.
Wee Course, Blairgowrie - I'm not sure there is quite as much MacKenzie left in this course as James thinks but there is one striking par 3 that is definitely his (the 6th I think). Some of the dog-legs only require a hybrid/iron to the corner but still a very enjoyable round in a kind of heathland setting.
Comrie - some good golf in a lovely setting. The course however is no mere holiday track as in recent years it produced Wallace Booth (Scottish internationalist) and his sister Carly who turned pro. The general surrounding landscape suggests its going to be more of a hill climb than it actually is although there is some nice elevational changes in some of the holes.
Balmoral - only available to play when the Queen isn't in residence. A mix of the inoffensive, challenging (to this 8 handicapper at least) and good fun. Who doesn't enjoy a drop shot par 3 over a road ?
Killin - as written about by Tom D. Some good stuff over interesting terrain amongst nice scenery. Like a lot of these courses the green-keeping can be basic but shouldn't detract from the experience.
Durness - a long way to go for a game of golf but if you're in the area.....
Musselburgh Old - walking in the footsteps of legends. Also some good golf.
Brahan - Jon W's creation in the Highlands. Despite being work in progress when I played there a few years ago it still was great fun to play. The strong part of the design is the routing. Not sure about the movement on some of the greens but no doubt further tweaking and modifications will iron those out. Well worth a play.
I didn't include Abernethy, Bonar Bridge or Portmohomak all of which I have walked but haven't played. I suspect all three would make any notional top ten. Next on the list I think is Traigh and Carradale.
Niall
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Anyone played Fort Augustus GC, along Loch Ness? Possibly designed by Harry Colt.
http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/fort-augustus-golf-club/
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Wee Course, Blairgowrie - I'm not sure there is quite as much MacKenzie left in this course as James thinks but there is one striking par 3 that is definitely his (the 6th I think). Some of the dog-legs only require a hybrid/iron to the corner but still a very enjoyable round in a kind of heathland setting.
Niall
Niall,
According to the clubs history books holes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 on the wee nine, all follow the same corridor as when Mackenzie turned the 1892 9 hole course into a full 18 in 1927. I'll send you the maps by email that I've got as I've lost the will to live with posting images on here... ::) Other than the general playing corridor I'm not sure how much out there is MacKenzie and you are far more of an expert on him than I am.
Cheers, James
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I cant believe I missed Musselburgh Old off my list! I suppose I tend to think of all the nine holers out in the highlands and islands as thats where I've played the majority...
Cheers,
James
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To my eternal shame, despite having played a couple of hundred of Scotland's 18-hole layouts, I've only ever played around
a dozen 9-hole courses in my home country.
If I was to rank them, I'd do so in the follow order (there might be one or two that haven't been mentioned so far in this thread):
Cruden Bay (St Olaf)
Carradale
New Galloway
Machrihanish (Pans)
Traigh
Strathendrick
Turnberry (Arran)
Leadhills
Ross Priory
St Boswells
Actually, I was saying to my golfing sidekick last year that we really should play a lot more of these nine-holers this year.
He's played Comrie, Killin and and St Fillans which he says are all worth playing.
I've just realized I left out Musselburgh (Old) but I'm not sure it would have made my Top 10 anyway...
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Wee Course, Blairgowrie - I'm not sure there is quite as much MacKenzie left in this course as James thinks but there is one striking par 3 that is definitely his (the 6th I think). Some of the dog-legs only require a hybrid/iron to the corner but still a very enjoyable round in a kind of heathland setting.
Niall
Niall,
According to the clubs history books holes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 on the wee nine, all follow the same corridor as when Mackenzie turned the 1892 9 hole course into a full 18 in 1927. I'll send you the maps by email that I've got as I've lost the will to live with posting images on here... ::) Other than the general playing corridor I'm not sure how much out there is MacKenzie and you are far more of an expert on him than I am.
Cheers, James
I always thought there was more MacKenzie on the Wee course than there was on the Big course. Either way, I love it. Played it loads. First time I broke 70 round 18. A lot better than the Lansdowne which is a bit of a dog.
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I’m surprised no one has yet mentioned Gifford in East Lothian. I’ve played so few nine holers in Scotland I can’t compare it to much, but from memory it’s a fun little course with lovely views of the Lammermuirs.
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Covesea looks pretty cool - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CFPegZD4C00 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CFPegZD4C00)
Atb
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James
My comment on the Wee Course at Blairgowrie was based on what the pro told me. He mentioned a couple of the holes, the second being one from memory, that were partly MacKenzie in that the approach and green were his but the first part of the fairway had been moved to accommodate the Landsdowne. I've got your email so shall have a look over the diagrams with interest. As for knowing what I'm talking about, I'm not sure many would agree with you !
Jim
That little pocket of Perthshire has a handful of nineholers. I had a family holiday up that way last year and played Killin and the Wee Course, Blairgowrie and separate days, and then Strathtay, Comrie, St Fillans and one I forgot about but should be on the list, the nine hole course at Crieff, all on the same day on the trek home. Of those four, I wouldn't bother playing St Fillans again although it was nice enough. Just fairly flat apart from a couple of holes which was in sharp contrast to the surroundings.
The wee course at Crieff however was terrific. You could argue too many holes played on the side of a hill but some of the geometric greens were great fun and the almost complete lack of rough a joy for beginners and casual players alike.
Niall
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Niall:
First, thank you for this thread, which has reminded me of some wonderful little places, clued me into a couple that weren't on my radar [Dalmunzie, Covesea], and reminded me of a couple I need to see ... I've never played the St. Olaf course (!), and when I was thinking of going to Tarbat many years ago, I was put off by the RAF doing bombing runs out there in the run-up to the Falklands War!
I can heartily recommend a bunch of the courses mentioned here, and in fact have done so in The Confidential Guide, but I have never been more uncomfortable at the thought of trying to rank a group of courses. Most of these defy rankings, I think ... they are binary choices, worth the time or not? The Wee Course at Blairgowrie is probably not as compelling as Traigh or Isle of Harris, but I will never forget it, either. And I had forgotten about Rosehearty until Clyde mentioned it ... I had to leave my bride in the car for a few minutes on a very cold day to check it out, and again, it's a "yes".
I did not realize there were so many of these relatively close together in Perthshire. What an awesome venue that would be for a BUDA Cup ... put everybody in a bus, and tackle them in nine-hole matches, one after another :D
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Tom
My pleasure, and thank you for putting Killin on my radar.
I played it with my brother. We took a buggy for my elderly mother who has been suffering from osteoporosis for years and who sadly had to give up golf many years ago. She just loved being out on the course and even managed a few putts.
A couple of days later at Blairgowrie, again she accompanied us in a buggy. We got to one of the par 3’s and when my back was turned she raked through my bag and pulled out a hybrid, and then proceeded to tee up a ball. Her tee shot scuttled about 20 yards along the ground in the general direction of the hole, the next shot went at 45 degrees into the rough and the third was a fresh air shot, at which point she handed the club back in disgust ! Sadly I think that’s the last of her playing golf but great days, and ones to cherish.
As for ranking these types of courses, you are of course correct. Let’s just enjoy them and not worry too much about how they compare.
Niall
Ps. Great idea about BUDA however in order to make the most of home advantage I think I’d make the away team drive themselves along those country roads ;D
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We took a buggy for my elderly mother who has been suffering from osteoporosis for years and who sadly had to give up golf many years ago. She just loved being out on the course and even managed a few putts.
A couple of days later at Blairgowrie, again she accompanied us in a buggy. We got to one of the par 3’s and when my back was turned she raked through my bag and pulled out a hybrid, and then proceeded to tee up a ball. Her tee shot scuttled about 20 yards along the ground in the general direction of the hole, the next shot went at 45 degrees into the rough and the third was a fresh air shot, at which point she handed the club back in disgust ! Sadly I think that’s the last of her playing golf but great days, and ones to cherish.
Sounds like my mom would have enjoyed playing with your mom!
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Tom, I made time for Rosehearty based on your CG recommendation, and am glad I did. It was my last nine holes of a trip last year, and I had the course all to myself. I wish I’d had the time for another go-around before sunset, and I never would have known about the course except for CG.
Similarly, I hope you get to Covesea — if you can find it!
Thanks to all who posted here — I am hoping to play one or two of these on an upcoming trip.
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At long last I managed to play the St Olaf's course on the (long) way up to this years BUDA, and then Nethy Bridge on the way down.
Firstly, the St Olaf's course was as good as I'd been lead to believe. A couple of the par 4's in the middle of the round might be a bit pedestrian but nothing wrong with the par 3's. The 7th is terrific and if there is a better short par 3 than the 9th with that back pin position then I've never played it.
Nethy Bridge was also great fun and perhaps more interesting in routing due to the landforms, however after the 5 day camel ride that is BUDA, I was running desperately low on energy and painkillers. There was a few blind or semi-blind shots to parts of the course that weren't necessarily the most accommodating. However a shot is only blind the first time and all that. I'll definitely be back for another game.
Niall
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Glad you finally got to play Nethy and enjoyed it Niall.
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St. Olaf is clearly #1. You could have one great course if Cruden Bay sold the land on 9-14 to real estate developers and integrated St. O's land into the routing. I strongly hope that this never happens, not because I love CB but because I love St. O.
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Another vote for the wonderful St Olaf at Cruden Bay. I must have played it more than a hundred times, often 3-4 times in a day, and never been bored by it.
If you visit CB and don’t take the opportunity to play the St-O you’ll have missed a golfing treat.*
The golf world would be a better place if there were more courses akin to the St-O.
Atb
PS *- the same applies imo to such non-Scottish 9-holers as The Channel (at Burnham & Berrow), the Kilmore-9 at Carne, Mulranny and Cruit Island.
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Considering I played the Struie when I was a kid with my mother (ie. well before the 1980's before anyone asks !) it must have been a nine holer then. I can still clearly remember a couple of the holes which hadn't changed much when I played them many years later.
In no particular order here's my top ten of the moment;
Strathtay - while the list isn't in any particular order I'd have to say this is probably my favourite of the moment. Anyone going north up the A9 would do well to stop off here for a quick round or two. Wooden shack for a clubhouse with an honesty box system, the course sits in about 30 odd acres I'd guess and has a house in the middle of it ! Despite that through the terrain and by dint of a few cross over holes it manages to provide some cracking if at times puzzling golf.
Dalmunzie - another detour off the A9 albeit a good bit longer. Largely a Tom Simpson design I think with some later modifications. Despite 3 pedestrian holes near the hotel the rest of the golf is well worth the drive.
Covesea - originally a 12 hole par 3 course that was made into a nine holer by means of joining together some of the holes. It has two of the funkiest/best short par 3's anywhere (OK, Scotland) and a couple of fun driveable par 4's. Due to the small budget the maintenance regime means the rough tends to be, well.........rough, so don't play with new Pro V's. That said, highly enjoyable.
Wee Course, Blairgowrie - I'm not sure there is quite as much MacKenzie left in this course as James thinks but there is one striking par 3 that is definitely his (the 6th I think). Some of the dog-legs only require a hybrid/iron to the corner but still a very enjoyable round in a kind of heathland setting.
Comrie - some good golf in a lovely setting. The course however is no mere holiday track as in recent years it produced Wallace Booth (Scottish internationalist) and his sister Carly who turned pro. The general surrounding landscape suggests its going to be more of a hill climb than it actually is although there is some nice elevational changes in some of the holes.
Balmoral - only available to play when the Queen isn't in residence. A mix of the inoffensive, challenging (to this 8 handicapper at least) and good fun. Who doesn't enjoy a drop shot par 3 over a road ?
Killin - as written about by Tom D. Some good stuff over interesting terrain amongst nice scenery. Like a lot of these courses the green-keeping can be basic but shouldn't detract from the experience.
Durness - a long way to go for a game of golf but if you're in the area.....
Musselburgh Old - walking in the footsteps of legends. Also some good golf.
Brahan - Jon W's creation in the Highlands. Despite being work in progress when I played there a few years ago it still was great fun to play. The strong part of the design is the routing. Not sure about the movement on some of the greens but no doubt further tweaking and modifications will iron those out. Well worth a play.
I didn't include Abernethy, Bonar Bridge or Portmohomak all of which I have walked but haven't played. I suspect all three would make any notional top ten. Next on the list I think is Traigh and Carradale.
Niall
Since posting the above I've played a few more that are in the mix in terms of possible top tens.
Bridge of Allan - Melvin might have mentioned this one once or twice ;) Not for the faint hearted as it's a bit of a climb in the first few holes but the pay-off is that it offers some panoramic views and at times some good golf. Well worth a play and very low key.
Traigh - many have spoken about this course and I was delighted to play it last year with Jon W. A bit different to what I expected but still very good.
Alexandra Park - I'd love to wax lyrical about how good this course is but unfortunately I can't. It's the oldest course golfing ground in Glasgow that is still being played over dating back to the early 1870's however some of the holes are fairly short and with greens situated ojust over the brow of a hill. Of historical interest only.
Niall
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Niall,
Thanks for the update and glad you got to see Bridge of Allan. My dad was a member there for a short while a few years back but think the combination of the climb you refer to and the clubhouse burning down led to him moving to another club in the area.
The first hole there must be a candidate for most difficult opener in Scotland. A 220 yard severely uphill par 3 over a stone wall to a raised green falling away at the front and sides. Not one you’d relish taking on if running late for a tee time and had to face that shot with your first swing of the day!
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St. Andrew's Eden ;)
Separating courses at the lower-end of the spectrum isn't that easy, but i'll take a quick bite:
1. Cruden Bay - St. Olaf's
2. Mussleburgh Links
3. Traigh
4. Killin
5. Rosehearty
6. Durness
7. Dalmunzie Castle
8. Tarbat (Portmahomack) *I had about 15mins of daylight to check this out, but saw enough to want to go back.
9. Comrie
10. Carradale
Abernethy, Tobermory, Benbecula, The Isle of Harris, Gairloch, St Medan look like they are worth checking out.
I’ll second the St Olaf course at cruden Bay!
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St. Andrew's Eden ;)
Separating courses at the lower-end of the spectrum isn't that easy, but i'll take a quick bite:
1. Cruden Bay - St. Olaf's
2. Mussleburgh Links
3. Traigh
4. Killin
5. Rosehearty
6. Durness
7. Dalmunzie Castle
8. Tarbat (Portmahomack) *I had about 15mins of daylight to check this out, but saw enough to want to go back.
9. Comrie
10. Carradale
Abernethy, Tobermory, Benbecula, The Isle of Harris, Gairloch, St Medan look like they are worth checking out.
Having played 4 of the 10 listed here, Durness,Traigh,Rosehearty and Carradale...
I'd put those 4 in the order I listed them, with all of them worthwhile plays
I'd add Covesea probably after Traigh and put Gairloch probably at the back of my list, while recommending all at elast as a beautiful evening spent, as well as on their own merits
Looking at Clyde's list I absolutely need to play the others if there are 5 better than Durness which I felt was all WORLD in terms of variety, fun, scenery, challenge strategy and interest-no way Rosehearty is ahead of Durness and I'd put Durness well ahead of Traigh as well-despite loving all 3.
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I managed a game at the St Medan course in the south west of the country today. Great fun course with some fantastic individual holes. Even though it sits on a promontory next to the water it is isn't a links. Like Traigh it plays round a hill and like Strathtay it's a fairly tight site that necessitates some cross overs. Also like those two there is a bit of up and down but nothing too taxing. Unfortunately I only had time for one round which is a shame as I'd loved to have had a go at the second set of tees which I think would have made a significant difference to a few of the holes.
Probably due to the nature of the site with the crossovers, its fairly open with generous fairways. My initial thought is that it's better than the two I've mentioned and for my money better than Durness. There's not a huge amount of top quality golf to take you down there with Southerness being the best but there are some good holiday courses in Portpatrick, Wigtownshire County and Stranraer that if you are down there then I'd definitely recommend St Medan.
Anyone else played it ?
Niall
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My nine-holer odyssey continued this afternoon with a game on the Hillhouse course at Kilmarnock Barassie. Originally part of the main course before new holes were built and replaced them in the main course some 20 to 25 years ago. For the number crunchers among you it measures 2,888 yards off the back tees and a handy 2,756 yards off the yellows, although the 8th hole was playing from a temporary tee pushed up some hundred odd yards due to work on existing tees.
The obvious comparison would be to the St Olaf course at Cruden Bay with both playing second fiddle to their respective 18 hole courses but also both having once been in the main rotation. The St Olaf course is surrounded by the main course and to an extent the same is true with the Hillhouse course.
In character it reminded me of what the nearby Gailes course used to be like before the recent tree/gorse removal program, and similar to what Scotscraig still is with its pine/birch trees, gorse and heather. It doesn't quite have the same ground movement as those two courses but it certainly isn't dull.
As I toured round I thought of how it compared to St Olaf and while initially marking it below St Olaf by the end I had it ahead, mostly by dint of having better par 4's. St Olafs par 4's aren't great and neither are the Hillhouse par 4's but they are better IMO, and while Hillhouse doesn't have a par 3 to rival the 9th at St Olaf the two par 3's aren't clunkers and indeed if they kept the temporary 8th tee it would make an excellent long par 3 (although similar to the 2nd).
Overall, if you find yourself in Ayrshire and having already played a round and fancy some more golf, just not another 18, then Hillhouse would be a very good option.
Niall
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Thanks for this thread and the updates Niall.
Some of my favourite courses are the second or allegedly lessor courses at Clubs irrespective of whether they be holes or 18-holes.
If you reckon Hiilhouse is ahead of the St Olaf, and I’m quite happy to accept your judgement, then Hillhouse must be damn good and needs to be visited by more posters herein.
As to the merits of par-4’s on the St Olaf I imagine modern technology may have had quite an effect. They were pretty damn good, especially the 1st, 6th and 8th back in the days of blades, persimmon and balata even more so when played in the traditional Cruden Bay cold wind.
Atb
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David
I'd say Hillhouse is definitely worth a play but whether you'd find it better than your beloved St Olaf is perhaps doubtful. I think though you'd agree it's a good fun course. In terms of the par 4's, Hillhouse wins out for me because not only are they a bit better individually but collectively they offer more variety. That said, it's been a couple of years since I played St Olaf's and I'm comparing them both after 1 play (or did I go round Olafs twice ?, can't recall).
Niall
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Mains of Taymouth - Perthshire’s finest!
https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/mains-of-taymouth-perthshire-s-finest.html
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Thanks Brian. I had a peek at this course a couple of years ago when spending a long weekend nearby. There is a public road that goes along the side of the course and I managed to see some of the course over and through the hedgerow. I have to say that it didn't really grab my interest and I ended up playing Strathtay, Killin, Comrie and St Finans instead. Have you played it and did I miss anything ?
Niall
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I know the course at Kenmore pretty well, as we used to have a regular family holiday in the village as a kid. We usually visited early December and if the nearby James Braid course at Taymouth Castle GC was on temporary green due to frost, we would play Kenmore as they stayed on their greens whatever the weather.
I havent visited for years, but actually stayed again at Kenmore last month. Though I didnt play the course, I did have time for a quick look, and while most of it is as I remember they had shortened the 1st to a long par 3 and the last to a short par 4. Both used to be long 4s, but the owners appear to have taken that land back to create more holiday villas.
I also believe that as the nearby Taymouth Castle still isnt open for golf after its major changes about 10 years ago, that the (what I imagine is now quite a small) membership from there, play their golf at Kenmore, or should I say Mains of Taymouth GC (damn rebranding ;) )
Its a fun course, but the setting of typical Perthshire countryside is perhaps more interesting than the architecture. Worth adding to the list of Niall's of other 9 holers nearby, but I wouldnt recommend a special trip.
Cheers,
James
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Almost 4 years later, has anyone played Colt's Ft. Augustus yet?
https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/highlandsandislands/fortaugustus.html
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Almost 4 years later, has anyone played Colt's Ft. Augustus yet?
https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/highlandsandislands/fortaugustus.html (https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/highlandsandislands/fortaugustus.html)
There used to be a whole bunch of photos of the Fort Augustus course on Frank Ponts golf course architecture pictures website, a website that doesn’t seem to exist any more. Shame as it contained masses of photos of a great many courses.
Atb
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I’m surprised Corrie hasn’t been mentioned yet. I haven’t played as many of the contenders as others on here but it’s great fun (“sporty”, to reference another current thread) in an incredible setting. If anyone is on Arran to play Shiskine, it’s not to be missed.
Jim Hartsell has some great photos - of Corrie and a number of the other courses mentioned - on his blog about his recent trip to Scotland [size=78%]http://jhartsellgolf.com/when-revelation-comes/ (http://jhartsellgolf.com/when-revelation-comes/)[/size]
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James
I don't know any of the Arran courses but hopefully I'll get a chance to rectify that in the near future.
One new (to me) nine-holer I played last year was Beith. It started out as I nine holer back in the day then became an 18 holer, however in recent years they reverted back to what I presume to have been the original nine holes. As I said in another thread it definitely a course I would call sporty. It sits on top of a hill in the country side and has fairly extensive views in parts but not so high that my vertigo kicked in.
The terrain is what I'd call rumbustious which produces some quite interesting golf. The first is a par 4 that plays down into a bit of a valley then back up again to the green which sits on a plateau surrounded by trees ie. trees in front as well. The second then plays back the way with the 1st and 2nd fgairways crossing each other and the second green being a double green with the 9th (?). The third is then a shortish par 4 with a semi blind second shot to a dell like green.......and on it goes. Well worth a play if in the area (half hour from Glasgow) and relatively cheap.
Niall
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I played New Galloway on the way to Turnberry for the 2009 Open. It's a classic starts in the valley, most of the course is on the moor layout. The course says that members believe it to be Scotland's best nine holer on its website; well, I'm not so sure about that, but once you get up the enormous hill that takes up the first two holes and out onto the open moor, it's certainly very nice. They allow you to cut across from 8 to 3, hence playing a 15 hole round and avoiding going down the hill and back up again if it is quiet. Which was nice.
Adam
I'm very pleased to say that I eventually managed to get to New Galloway at the weekend and very much enjoyed the course. It's much as you describe although I would say the upper level isn't entirely open although it isn't brutally tight either. It's the landforms that make it. Even though the greens were as hairy as my brothers wee Scottie dug, there was enough slope on them to give some interesting borrows. Of course having a hole in one on the 7th perhaps makes me look at the course with rose coloured glasses but I don't think so. There is a lot of good fun golf.
Later in the day I also went back to St Medans and was very pleased to find it as much fun as I remembered. The south west of Scotland is an area that really doesn't get as much attention as it should and while the golf isn't maybe championship standard there's still a lot of fun to be had.
Niall
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I played New Galloway on the way to Turnberry for the 2009 Open. It's a classic starts in the valley, most of the course is on the moor layout. The course says that members believe it to be Scotland's best nine holer on its website; well, I'm not so sure about that, but once you get up the enormous hill that takes up the first two holes and out onto the open moor, it's certainly very nice. They allow you to cut across from 8 to 3, hence playing a 15 hole round and avoiding going down the hill and back up again if it is quiet. Which was nice.
Adam
I'm very pleased to say that I eventually managed to get to New Galloway at the weekend and very much enjoyed the course. It's much as you describe although I would say the upper level isn't entirely open although it isn't brutally tight either. It's the landforms that make it. Even though the greens were as hairy as my brothers wee Scottie dug, there was enough slope on them to give some interesting borrows. Of course having a hole in one on the 7th perhaps makes me look at the course with rose coloured glasses but I don't think so. There is a lot of good fun golf.
Later in the day I also went back to St Medans and was very pleased to find it as much fun as I remembered. The south west of Scotland is an area that really doesn't get as much attention as it should and while the golf isn't maybe championship standard there's still a lot of fun to be had.
Niall
Shameless........................................congrats ;D
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Niall mentioned Strathtay. Haven't been there for more than 20 years. I'm not as good at mountain climbing as I was back then.....
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Thank you Tony, only 44 years after my first one !
Niall
ps. the pin was on the left and I was aiming for the middle on the basis that angles don't matter but fortunately I pulled it slightly ;)
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I played New Galloway on the way to Turnberry for the 2009 Open. It's a classic starts in the valley, most of the course is on the moor layout. The course says that members believe it to be Scotland's best nine holer on its website; well, I'm not so sure about that, but once you get up the enormous hill that takes up the first two holes and out onto the open moor, it's certainly very nice. They allow you to cut across from 8 to 3, hence playing a 15 hole round and avoiding going down the hill and back up again if it is quiet. Which was nice.
Adam
I'm very pleased to say that I eventually managed to get to New Galloway at the weekend and very much enjoyed the course. It's much as you describe although I would say the upper level isn't entirely open although it isn't brutally tight either. It's the landforms that make it. Even though the greens were as hairy as my brothers wee Scottie dug, there was enough slope on them to give some interesting borrows. Of course having a hole in one on the 7th perhaps makes me look at the course with rose coloured glasses but I don't think so. There is a lot of good fun golf.
Later in the day I also went back to St Medans and was very pleased to find it as much fun as I remembered. The south west of Scotland is an area that really doesn't get as much attention as it should and while the golf isn't maybe championship standard there's still a lot of fun to be had.
Niall
Good stuff, congrats, Niall!
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I played Durness Golf Club in late September with a buddy.
Fantastic experience. It's either Durness, Reay or Wik that is the northernmost course in the UK.
https://www.durnessgolfclub.org/
Last 30 miles was basically on a road the size of a cart path.
Pictures are insane. Wish I could post them.
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I played the Hillhouse 9 at Kilmarnock last week - frankly not even being aware it was there until a couple of days before - and was impressed. After a fairly ordinary looking opening tee shot, it’s nine holes of really good golf - particularly in the strong wind we had on the day I was there. A number of the greens are very good and the 7th in particular is a great short par 4 (the photo below is from behind the green).
As Niall said, if you’re looking for 9-holes to add on to a round in Ayrshire, you could do a lot worse.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097924545_952d3161fb_c.jpg)
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Other than the famous long cliff side par-3 what’s the 9-hole course at Anstruther like?
Completely forgot about Anstruther when doing my top-10.
Windy, really windy! Otherwise pretty rudimentary. The first tackles an abrupt rise, which is driven down from to finish, and from there it is flat, exposed cliff-top with the exception of the two back-to-back threes. Worth a quick run around just for a crack at the impossibly difficult three.
Just finished a Mixed Greensomes there with my wife, and I have to say that Rockies ain't no hard par three. It's a driveable par four... or perhaps five. ???
Given that I broke my left wrist on June 2, my expectations were very low, and we managed to get below them.
Still, playing with a member and her brother (a long-time St. Andrews caddy) was as much fun as usual, and the tariff of 15 GBP for both of us for 18 holes was brilliant.
Currently trying to get on TOC through the ballot while cycling on our off days.
And we're booked into a Mixed Open at Nairn Dunbar next Sunday.
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Jim Hartsell seemed to really, really like Gairloch (https://gairlochgolfclub.co.uk/index.html) in his last book.
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I played Durness Golf Club in late September with a buddy.
Fantastic experience. It's either Durness, Reay or Wik that is the northernmost course in the UK.
https://www.durnessgolfclub.org/
Last 30 miles was basically on a road the size of a cart path.
Pictures are insane. Wish I could post them.
Orkney golf club is farther north. And, It is my impression that it is not the northernmost.
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I have another two to add to the list but first I had a revisit to Tarbat (Portmohomack) which I previously only walked. I was lucky enough to play it during the summer with a couple of GCA friends and it was as much fun as I imagined it would be. A complete antidote to the Championship courses with big green fees, welcome packs and a starter on the first tee. At Tarbat you just put your greenfee in the honesty box, tee it up and a way you go.
The other two;
Leadhills - located about 5 to 10 miles off the A74 to the south of Glasgow, it is an open moorland course run by volunteers. Easily the slowest greens I've played for many a year but with enough slope on them for putts to have borrows. About as rustic as it gets. The clubhouse is a wooden shed that has been condemned with "No Entry" signs on it. Leadhills is reputedly the highest course in Scotland but due to the hills round about it doesn't feel that high relative to Pitlochry or Dufftown but it certainly feels more remote that the two courses mentioned. Greenfees are paid at either the local hotel or the shop next door. It's not compelling golf and wouldn't crack my top ten but still good fun and worth a play if looking for something different.
Gatehouse of Fleet - I played this on the way down to this years BUDA and didn't know what to expect. Its located in the SW of the country where there are a number of nine-holers and Gatehouse of Fleet is the third I've played after St Medan and New Galloway. I loved both of those and pleased to say that GoF provides the same adventurous and quirky golf with an abundance of blind and semi-blind shots. Possibly the only holes without any semblance of blindness are the three par 3's, two of which are drop shots (that tells you something about the terrain) and the other a long par 3 that is possibly the most strategic par 3 I've played. I'm already looking forward o going back next year.
Niall
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I forgot to mention Bonar Bridge. I'd previously walked the course but managed to play it this year on the same trip as I played Tarbat. The fact that I forgot about it kind of says something about the course. While it is in a lovely part of the country and has plenty of elevational change it somehow lacks in character. I don't know if it is because it is a relatively modern design/build that has managed to somehow iron out all the interesting wrinkles of the land, but the holes just seemed too "conventional". The golf certainly isn't bad and it was an enjoyable enough round I just didn't love it the way I do with a lot of Scottish nine holers. Anyone else think the same ?
Niall
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New Galloway, Gate of Fleet or St Medans? I am leaning toward St Medans. Folks who know, what say you?
Ciao
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I forgot to mention Bonar Bridge. I'd previously walked the course but managed to play it this year on the same trip as I played Tarbat. The fact that I forgot about it kind of says something about the course. While it is in a lovely part of the country and has plenty of elevational change it somehow lacks in character. I don't know if it is because it is a relatively modern design/build that has managed to somehow iron out all the interesting wrinkles of the land, but the holes just seemed too "conventional". The golf certainly isn't bad and it was an enjoyable enough round I just didn't love it the way I do with a lot of Scottish nine holers. Anyone else think the same ?
Niall
Niall, I felt the same way, it's ok, but I'd rather play Tarbat any time.
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New Galloway, Gate of Fleet or St Medans? I am leaning toward St Medans. Folks who know, what say you?
Ciao
I played all three in one beautiful spring day a couple of years back, and found plenty to interest at each.
St Medan's might just be the most unusual. The fourth is one of the best drivable (for the mere mortals) par-fours I have played anywhere, and for that it should probably get the nod.
New Galloway has a steep initial ascent, but after that there's just the right amount of adventure. The second drives over a drystone wall and bank of gorse, then pitches blindly over a rocky outcropping to a green backing another wall.
A couple of fine holes at Gate of Fleet too, including the par threes to open and close. The majority of the course plays across slope.
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I think I've posted this on this thread already, but I played New Galloway with my Dad on the way to Turnberry for the 2009 Open and -- apart from the rather lung-busting ascent on the first two holes -- enjoyed it quite a lot.
I recall at the time it was described, presumably on the club website, as possibly Scotland's best nine holes. I'm not qualified to make that judgement, but it was fun.
Adam
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Adam
You certainly have posted that story before and it was that post that put the course back on my radar to pay it a visit and I'm very glad I did.
Sean,
Which to pick between St Medan, New Galloway and Gatehouse of Fleet ? That's a tough one. It's like being handed the sweet menu and having to pick between Chocolate Gateaux, Tiramisu and Sherry Trifle. The only proper course of action is be like Clyde and go for all three !
I counted up recently and I reckon I've now played about 40 Scottish nine-holers and these 3 are definitely top 10 in my book. They all have that sense of adventure that the best nine-holers tend to have. Lay of the land courses laid out on scrap bits of ground, with an added rustic charm of basic greenkeeping. I might be doing GoF a disservice in that last regard as the greenkeep was out and about on an impressive bit of kit cutting the grass. More than that, it was evident that quite a lot of scrub and undergrowth had been cleared to give a bit of elbow room.
In terms of points of difference, all of them are on small sites although St Medan at 27 acres is comfortably smaller than GoF at 39 acres and NG at 47 acres, which it manages to overcome by way of a number of holes playing across each other. St Medans is also shorter being 2,272 yards from way way way back from the tips, whereas NG is significantly longer at 2,503 yards and GoF a relative monster at 2,521 yards.
But as we know, yardages don't really tell the story for these types of courses. Each course has some great holes. Clyde mentioned the 4th at StM which is a wonderful driving hole but then the 3rd isn't too shabby either as a long par 3. NG has the holes on top that Adam and Clyde described with the par 4's definitely the pick. GoF is the only one of the 3 with a par 5, which has a blind drive, blind second and depending on how long you are possibly a blind approach ! It does have a couple of drop shot type par 3's but for me the pick of the bunch is definitely the 8th at 189 yards. The direct approach is all carry whereas for shorter hitters they can go left and the ball will come round off the hill and possibly onto the green.
I'm not sure which I'd pick as the best of the three but GoF is the one I want to go back to first, maybe because I played it most recently and it is fresh in my mind, but larger to see if it is as good as I think it is.
Niall
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Thanks all. Still leaning toward St Medan.
Merry Christmas.
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I played the Hillhouse 9 at Kilmarnock last week - frankly not even being aware it was there until a couple of days before - and was impressed. After a fairly ordinary looking opening tee shot, it’s nine holes of really good golf - particularly in the strong wind we had on the day I was there. A number of the greens are very good and the 7th in particular is a great short par 4 (the photo below is from behind the green).
As Niall said, if you’re looking for 9-holes to add on to a round in Ayrshire, you could do a lot worse.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097924545_952d3161fb_c.jpg)
Is Hillhouse worth a detour from Oban? Or is Leadhills the better bet?
Ciao
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I played the Hillhouse 9 at Kilmarnock last week - frankly not even being aware it was there until a couple of days before - and was impressed. After a fairly ordinary looking opening tee shot, it’s nine holes of really good golf - particularly in the strong wind we had on the day I was there. A number of the greens are very good and the 7th in particular is a great short par 4 (the photo below is from behind the green).
As Niall said, if you’re looking for 9-holes to add on to a round in Ayrshire, you could do a lot worse.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53097924545_952d3161fb_c.jpg)
Is Hillhouse worth a detour from Oban? Or is Leadhills the better bet?
Ciao
You're going to Oban? Tell Bobby or his dad that I am a fan. ;)
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We are hoping to get to the Isle of Skye for the bank holiday weekend in May. With so much else to see and do there, is the Isle of Skye GC/Sconser worth playing?
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We are hoping to get to the Isle of Skye for the bank holiday weekend in May. With so much else to see and do there, is the Isle of Skye GC/Sconser worth playing?
Can't say about the course, but Lavera wants to play it because the holes are named in Gaelic.
8)