A hidden gem in the north?

John_Findlay

John_Findlay

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I was up in Nairn for the last few days and while I was up I decided to have a little scouting mission for next May's annual golf holiday.

We'd already decided we're gonna play Nairn Dunbar, Castle Stuart and Nairn but I wanted to add a fourth course as a warm up.

So I ventured along to Forres GC for a wee look. I haven't played there in many years and remember it fondly.

IMG_1662.jpg


All very nice, I'm sure you'll agree. A very pretty inland course and it looked in great conditon, even in late October. But it's a little too much like my new home course of Kings Acre so it made the reserve list.

Onwards to Elgin Golf Club. I won't post any photos. I didn't take any. Bland, bland, bland. I'm out.



So... last gasp. Hopeman GC. A course I last played over 25 years ago when it was still a 9 holer.

Oh...right. Here we go.

From the 12th tee, down 100 feet to the hole with a wee wedge. Apparently it's even more spectacular when the gorse is in bloom.

IMG_1668-1.jpg


And a view of the same hole from the 15th tee, another wee par three which goes even closer to the sea.

IMG_1672-1.jpg



And a wee bit of video of the waves crashing. Some were fit for surfers whilst we sat up at the 15th tee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPELCAjM8Gk

And where it is.

Picture1.png



What a beautiful little links course, now extended to 18 holes, and with some views to die for.

And it's only only £23 to play during the week.

Decision made!

Anyone played it? Thoughts? Memories?
 
Played Hopeman a few times nice wee course, but a couple of the holes are a bit bland and even off the white tees its not that tough. What about Moray????

Why did you think Elgin was bland if you though Forres was good. I would have said Elgin was a far more Challenging track way longer. I played Forres a couple of weeks ago on an outing, we played off the whites but it was still pretty short. Drive, wedge, Drive wedge. 9 of us played and no one shot under their handicap. i won with a 74 gross by the way
 
We did Moray a couple of years ago, Patrick, so we like to mix it up a bit. Lovely courses both but we want to play somewhere new. And it's more expensive than Hopeman. Obviously I didn't look at all the holes at Hopeman but it just struck a chord as a nice short course to play.

Elgin? Yes, played it many times but it just looked boring and there is just no scenery whatsoever. We also want a gentle opener when we have the other 3 to play.

As I said, Forres is very nice indeed and a gentle course but you could be anywhere again.
 
The New at Moray are doing a deal for £20. If my memory serves me right its only 3 or 4 holes that are not all that. the rest are fine but not much of a challenge unless there is a bit of wind. I have bad memories of that short hole. last time i played it i hit the flag and had a foot long putt for birdie and missed it.
 
John, I always found Nairn's wee 9 holer a super opener before tackling the big course.

The view down over the club house to Easter Ross and the Black Isle, the Highland cattle in the Newton Hotel's front lawn, as one putted on wonderful greens, offered a wee taste of Heaven.

The short holes gave a feeling of confidence shattered by the time I reached the 3rd green on the Championship course.
 
That tee looks a bit ropey
:D :D :D :D
Click to expand...

That's just the area in front of the tee, Smiffy. The course looked in great nick, especially the greens for this time of year.

£20 for New Moray is a great deal Patrick. I think we payed £35 last time. Hmmm.
 
Played Hopeman last year on our Boys Weekend. I certainly thought it was a nice course. We played in mid May and the gorse was all in bloom. W played it on a good day with a gentle breeze. Some of the holes could be quite vicious in a real hooley I'd imagine. Holes 4-6 were a bit nondesript,but after that it was fair enough for £23

Good enough to be on our list of possibles for next year as well.

Moray New was a bit of a dissapointment when we played it two years back. Geens were poor (think Nairn last April !) but it was on a special at the time, £25 on a Sunday.

Like the look of Forres, may have to have a wee visit there next year.

Got to find somewhere I can beat KHW ;)
 
I think, like a lot of clubs at the moment for a group they would do a deal for food and green fee.

Have you throught of venturing further north?
 
What's Spey Bay like as a course?

Garmouth and Kingston?

Duff House Royal?
 
My dad & eldest brother are both members of Hopeman and I've played it quite a few times. I'll admit that some of the holes can seem a bit week but the back 9 is great, especially with the gorse in the summer - when its fully grown & the wind is blowing a gale it's a real challenge & the tightness makes up for the lack of length.

When you're up in May, give me a shout - I'll sign you on to Nairn Dunbar if you like.

RobC
 
My dad & eldest brother are both members of Hopeman and I've played it quite a few times. I'll admit that some of the holes can seem a bit week but the back 9 is great, especially with the gorse in the summer - when its fully grown & the wind is blowing a gale it's a real challenge & the tightness makes up for the lack of length.

When you're up in May, give me a shout - I'll sign you on to Nairn Dunbar if you like.

RobC
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, would you be willing to sign Algar Grumps and I on next September before the Tain and Golspie games????
 
Spey Bay has had better days. Lack of money to invest in the course I'm afraid. It was fine before the hotel went bust. It was a nice course with a nice run of holes on the back nine.

Garmouth & Kingston is a nice wee course. Definately a course of two half, parkland and links. Good greens last time I played it. Tends to get flooded by the Spey in a bad winter :eek:

Duff House Royal, looks nice, not had the chance to pl;ay there so far, but.... ;)
 
My dad & eldest brother are both members of Hopeman and I've played it quite a few times. I'll admit that some of the holes can seem a bit week but the back 9 is great, especially with the gorse in the summer - when its fully grown & the wind is blowing a gale it's a real challenge & the tightness makes up for the lack of length.

When you're up in May, give me a shout - I'll sign you on to Nairn Dunbar if you like.

RobC
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, would you be willing to sign Algar Grumps and I on next September before the Tain and Golspie games????
Click to expand...

What about me ,take it im dumped,pfft :(
 
Hi Rob, would you be willing to sign Algar Grumps and I on next September before the Tain and Golspie games????
Click to expand...

I'll have to check the local rules regarding allowing Ping users on the course, but I'm sure I can get you all on. :D
Click to expand...

Up yours, I don't lower myself to playing with Ping abusers!
 
My dad & eldest brother are both members of Hopeman and I've played it quite a few times. I'll admit that some of the holes can seem a bit week but the back 9 is great, especially with the gorse in the summer - when its fully grown & the wind is blowing a gale it's a real challenge & the tightness makes up for the lack of length.

When you're up in May, give me a shout - I'll sign you on to Nairn Dunbar if you like.

RobC
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, would you be willing to sign Algar Grumps and I on next September before the Tain and Golspie games????
Click to expand...

What about me ,take it im dumped,pfft :(
Click to expand...


Flip sake!#
Your worse than a wumin you!

"I'm going.........I'm not going!................I'll go for a day.........I'm not going...............I'l probably make one day..............Not sure if I'm going to make it..............Does my bum look big in these?"


:D
 
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