Golf course details

• Holes: 9
• Designed by: Old Tom Morris
• Public/Private: Public
• Year opened: 1895
• Golf Season: Year round
• Guest Policy: Welcomed

Hole 1, Dyke, 223 yards, par 3

On paper, the Dyke hole looks to be a longish par 3. However, at first glance, the uphill tee shot looks even further, especially since a five-foot stone wall guards the front of the green. In Tom Morris’s day, the par was a four and a difficult one at that. Now a par 3 it is probably one of the toughest par 3’s in the world for the average golfer. The ‘Dyke’ is listed in Old Tom Morris’s “Best 18 Holes”.

Recently the ‘Dyke’ was voted as one of the top ten most difficult starting holes in Scottish Golf by readers of Bunkered Magazine.

 

Hole 2, Fairy Knowe, 277 yards, par 4

This short par 4 begins along a field with a fence and out of bounds on the left. After a blind drive, the golfer has a short approach to the green protected by two bunkers. The hole derives its name from ancient Scottish traditions of rituals of the fairies and druids. Near the green is a cone shaped mound that is the fairy knowe. Long ago, this mound was excavated and ancient remains were found but replaced.

 

Hole 3, Drumbrae, 362 yards, par 4

This is slightly uphill par 4 with out-of-bounds running the full length of the hole to the left. An accurate drive is required to avoid the fairway bunker and trees on the right and a large rhododendron bush on the left. Once in the fairway, a mid to short iron is left to the elevated green protected by a large bunker on the right.

 

Hole 4, Cage, 314 yards, par 4

This short downhill par 4 features a blind tee shot, with out-of-bounds to the left. The ideal second shot is played from a gully with another quaint stone wall guarding the front of the green, almost daring the golfer to skull the approach. Tom Morris used stonewalls whenever he could as hazards.

 

Hole 5, Hollow, 208 yards, par 3

This all-natural hole offers a downhill tee shot to a green placed directly into a severely sloping hill and protected by two strategically placed bunkers. At first sight, the golfer thinks that there is no way the ball will stick on the side of the hill but will run off into the bunker on the left. However, a well-placed shot will stay on the green.

 

Hole 6, Grampians, 330 yards, par 4

The drive, a blind one, must carry uphill over the whins to a sloping fairway and anything hit too far right will find more whins and rough grass. Local knowledge is a factor here since the second shot is also a blind one to an elevated green protected by a single bunker.

 

Hole 7, Oaks, 289 yards, par 4

This is another wonderful short par 4 with a downhill drive over a large old oak tree that has become even more menacing over the past 100 years. The green is semi-visible from the tee and tempts the golfer to drive it. However a ball too far left will find trouble in the trees and greenside bunkers on the right will catch a slice. Another old stone wall courses behind the green.

 

Hole 8, Pendreich, 390 yards, par 4

This uphill par 4 can be a real challenge into a strong wind. The drive and the approach are both blind, which again favours local knowledge. Tom Morris cunningly placed the fairway on a slope so that a shot hit weakly will find its way into light rough on the left.

 

Hole 9, Sunnylaw, 167 yards, par 3

A lovely finish back to the clubhouse. This downhill par 3 requires an accurate tee shot to a green that slopes from left to right and is protected by a bunker on the left and one at the back. Any shot hit too firm will carry through the green and land in heavy rough and anything short will leave a tricky chip from a bare lie.