John_Findlay
Tour Winner
So, course number 120 (my 95th Scottish course) came and went on Wednesday.
I had the pleasure of the company of two of my regular playing partners, Scott & Gerry, and the starter paired us up on the 1st tee with a new friend, Brent, who was visiting the resort with his wife.
Brent was a friendly 5 handicapper from Blairgowrie who had a bit of a 'mare to start with (7 lost balls in the first 6 holes!) but redeemed himself with 21 points on the back 9. This is the sort of thing that I love about the game, meeting complete strangers and having a good chat and a bit of banter with them. You can't beat it. By the 18th you'd have thought we'd all known each other all along.
Here are my videos of the course. Well worth a look.
Clubhouse and holes 1-9
Holes 10-18
So, what are my own views of the course? Well, two very important words sum it up, I think...........
How much !?!?
You might want to add a word in between those two, depending on your mood.
Just to put you in the picture.
Winter Rates, October to March; £75.00
Summer Rates, April to September; £125.00
Wow! Oof! Luckily we played for free but even with it's top notch, picturesque setting and posh clubhouse and service they can't possibly ask those sort of rates in good faith. They're clearly catering for the wealthy corporate market and playing off the reputation of their better known neighbour who up until recently hosted the Scottish Open.
Having said that, they are doing a deal at the moment whereby for £295 you can get a membership which entitles you to 100 points towards future rounds. It's then 10 points per round at peak times, down to 6 at twilight times. So minimum 10 rounds, maximum 16 for £295. That's very good value and apparently 900 new members have taken up that offer already. It applies to all DeVere courses in the UK.
In defence of the course, it is only 4 years old and it has suffered from drainage problems from day one, I believe, hence the need to relay the fairways, as you'll see in the videos. But Castle Stuart is only a year old and it hasn't done too badly, has it?
There are many very pleasant holes though and it's a good test of golf. I managed a measly 20 points off 6, Scott had 25 off 8 and Gerry had a lovely 37 points off 18. I didn't play badly, either. Ouch.
I loved the look of the new bunkers, most of which were GUR sadly. We played from the white tees which made it about 6800 yards. The greens had just recently been dressed so they weren't in good shape.
Had a grand day out but I wouldn't pay more than £55 - £60 of my own cash in the summer until they get the condition of the course up to a better standard. There are many better courses out there for that kind of money. My advice? Buy that £295 membership and enjoy.
Oh, take a wad of cash for food. Burger & chips £15, albeit the best Scott said he'd tasted in a long time. Sausage and mash £17. Or take sandwiches.
I had the pleasure of the company of two of my regular playing partners, Scott & Gerry, and the starter paired us up on the 1st tee with a new friend, Brent, who was visiting the resort with his wife.
Brent was a friendly 5 handicapper from Blairgowrie who had a bit of a 'mare to start with (7 lost balls in the first 6 holes!) but redeemed himself with 21 points on the back 9. This is the sort of thing that I love about the game, meeting complete strangers and having a good chat and a bit of banter with them. You can't beat it. By the 18th you'd have thought we'd all known each other all along.
Here are my videos of the course. Well worth a look.
Clubhouse and holes 1-9
Holes 10-18
So, what are my own views of the course? Well, two very important words sum it up, I think...........
How much !?!? You might want to add a word in between those two, depending on your mood.
Just to put you in the picture.
Winter Rates, October to March; £75.00
Summer Rates, April to September; £125.00
Wow! Oof! Luckily we played for free but even with it's top notch, picturesque setting and posh clubhouse and service they can't possibly ask those sort of rates in good faith. They're clearly catering for the wealthy corporate market and playing off the reputation of their better known neighbour who up until recently hosted the Scottish Open.
Having said that, they are doing a deal at the moment whereby for £295 you can get a membership which entitles you to 100 points towards future rounds. It's then 10 points per round at peak times, down to 6 at twilight times. So minimum 10 rounds, maximum 16 for £295. That's very good value and apparently 900 new members have taken up that offer already. It applies to all DeVere courses in the UK.
In defence of the course, it is only 4 years old and it has suffered from drainage problems from day one, I believe, hence the need to relay the fairways, as you'll see in the videos. But Castle Stuart is only a year old and it hasn't done too badly, has it?
There are many very pleasant holes though and it's a good test of golf. I managed a measly 20 points off 6, Scott had 25 off 8 and Gerry had a lovely 37 points off 18. I didn't play badly, either. Ouch.
I loved the look of the new bunkers, most of which were GUR sadly. We played from the white tees which made it about 6800 yards. The greens had just recently been dressed so they weren't in good shape.
Had a grand day out but I wouldn't pay more than £55 - £60 of my own cash in the summer until they get the condition of the course up to a better standard. There are many better courses out there for that kind of money. My advice? Buy that £295 membership and enjoy.
Oh, take a wad of cash for food. Burger & chips £15, albeit the best Scott said he'd tasted in a long time. Sausage and mash £17. Or take sandwiches.
