Over the last few weeks, I've been lucky enough to play four different courses. Each time I lucked out with pretty good weather too, which is a bonus in Scotland. First up was the King's Course at Gleneagles, then Royal Aberdeen followed by The Duke's in St Andrews and finally Dumbarnie.
King's Course Gleneagles
Keith and Keith take on the world
This has to be one of my favourite courses in Scotland (in the summer) and it is always a real pleasure when my friend invites me up for a game. This year it was part of a "home and away" feature with a couple of his friends where we played the King's and Ladybank. Great fun was had on both courses.
The scenery at Gleneagle's really does steal the show, it's simply spectacular. The King's is furthest away from the houses that border both the Queen's and the PGA and I think it definitely benefits from that. It's easy to get distracted by some of the views as you play but you need to take your time and make sure you look around.
While food and drink here is of excellent quality, it is expensive; although not out of line with what you would expect at such an exclusive hotel/resort.
The course itself was in superb condition. In a year where many inland courses have suffered from the tough winter conditions, I found the King's to be excellent, especially the greens. The two Keiths dovetailed nicely today for a commanding 5&4 victory over the young team. I can't wait to get back up there again!
Royal Aberdeen
A very rare treat for me to get to RAGC and just my second round there. Again it was at the invitation of friends and another excellent day out.
Can I resist eating the tablet and shortbread while waiting for my bacon roll?
Unexpectedly, I was given the very rare privilege of being allowed into the clubhouse for some food without my host. Looking directly onto the first tee, it is one of the great views in golf and makes for an intimidating first shot when you're on the other side of the glass too.
Like many courses along the east coast, there are some issues with the erosion of the dunes which presents some real risks to the long-term viability of the first hole as it's currently laid out. It would be a real shame to see it changed but it's hard to hold back nature.
It’s a spectacular coastline but you can’t hold back the sea forever
RAGC is right up there in terms of the best courses I've played. The front 9 especially could go up against anywhere and presents a very tough test - especially when it's windy.
I've got to thank Colin and Andy for the invitation to play, it was a real treat. Great company, mixed golf but a fantastic day out. Oh, and a new hat too!
I hope I don’t end up looking like Stewart Cink!
I've written the last two courses in reverse order from playing, but there's a good reason for that.....
Dumbarnie
Now, Dumbarnie has been open for a few years now and I've been fortunate enough to have played it a couple of times before. I didn't play it last year though as they had a few issues with conditioning and were closed for a period. I'm happy to say that I found the course to be in excellent condition on my return and thoroughly enjoyed the round (even in a 3-4 club wind at times). The practice range and green are really well located for warming up ahead of your game and the clubhouse serves an excellent selection of food and drink.
Looking down the first hole
The clubhouse is directly behind you on the firstThis was a New Golf Club outing today in Stableford format and non-counting (unless you wanted to put a general play score in). The company today was good, with two first-timers and one other who had played a couple of times before. I would seriously recommend reading Clive's tips in the stroke saver as I found them to be very helpful and changed my plan on a couple of holes as a result. There are a few holes where visually you might be tempted into one shot but when you look at the saver you may well choose an alternate option.
There are some really clever risk/reward holes that present interesting choices to the golfer, especially longer ones. The course is playable for all abilities though and it's not just the preserve of big hitters. The wind today made for some very challenging holes but at no point was it not enjoyable.
The Duke's St Andrews
I’ve saved this one til last for a reason. I played here on my own with the purpose of assessing it as a potential membership option. At only 5 minutes from home, it is ideally located and I am sure I would play it a lot as a result. "But you've got 7 other courses on your doorstep, why do you need another" I hear you say (not to mention my Ladybank membership too). Well, the answer is that the idea of a local links ticket and the reality is quite different. Only limited times are made available for week-ahead booking and more often than not you have to wait until the day before to see what's left or take potluck in the queue at the New Course. In the summertime, with the town and courses busy with tourists, it can be particularly challenging to secure a tee time. Hence a lot of people are members of a second course. For me, that's currently Ladybank. I'd heard mixed reports about The Duke's, so wanted to check it out for myself and I'm very glad I did, as overall I was pleased with what I found. One of the big things that attract me is the practice facilities they offer. There's a complimentary range, a good-sized putting green and two old holes that can be used for short game (up to 200 yards) practice. Again, there are such facilities in town, but they can also be very busy (especially the short game area).
Heading down the first - is this really Scotland?
I would describe the course as somewhere between Parkland and Heathland, almost like an inland version of The Castle. The weather has been good, so the fairways were firm, but I’d imagine they could be quite soft in winter. There's evidence of the work done to improve drainage on some holes. Our tough spring weather hasn't helped with the natural repair process, but they're getting there. Fairways are quite generous, but balls can nestle down in the semi-rough making for a tricky shot and the full rough is brutal in places. You could lose your clubs in there, never mind your ball. We've been blessed with great weather recently and today was no exception, so I really saw the course in a good light. It's not without its issues, but I believe most have been recognised and are being addressed - new drainage and irrigation being two main things. Being high above St Andrews, there are some spectacular views from the course that brings a different perspective to playing in town or up at the Castle.
Hole 13 - Braw View
Irrigation working on 18
Many splendid views, this from the 6th green looking towards the Eden Estuary
Drainage scars are starting to improve - lift and drop local rule
Looking back to the par 3, 8th hole
I really enjoyed my round here and post open and frank discussions with the membership team about the condition of the course and planned investment, I have decided to join. The membership year runs for 12 months from your date of joining, so that gives me plenty of time to play the course before I need to decide what I do with my Ladybank membership in the spring. I am really looking forward to playing and practising there as well as meeting other local members.
I’m looklng forward to making good use of this
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