Boat of Garten - Have You Played It? If so...

[adamk15]

Hi I have qualified for the Junior Scottish Masters Qualifier at Boat of Garten, near Aviemore.

However, I have never even been to the course let alone played it. Have any of you forumers played the course? Or even better are you a member? If so, would you recommend I go up for a practice round or just turn up on the day?

Thanks guys.

 

[stevek1969]

Its a tricky course where hitting straightish is important my advice is to go and play it its not that far from you anyway .

 

[thecraw]

Practice round is something I would recommend. As Steve says its a smashing course and one I'm sure you will enjoy immensely, even if your game is not 100% just enjoy the views of the Cairngorms.

There will be a new first green this year which was relaid and re modelled to allow more pin positions in September last year.

Just try and hit as many fairways as you can, that way you give yourself a good chance of scoring. Boat has so many good holes that I cant even begin to descibe the course.

Good luck and congrats on qualifying, keep us posted on how you get on. Oh, and finally the last is a very very tough final hole.

 

[backwoodsman]

Played it (again) last Sunday. It's in good nick and first green is still a temp for now.

If you can, definitely have a visit for a practice round. You do need to be straight and there's plenty of blind shots where beforehand knowledge will help you. Greens aren't straightforward either so practice round will help (but obviously depends if pin positions are seriously different)

 

[thecraw]

Surprised to hear that the first green is still a temp, however I suppose that shows a bit of balls from the committee to take that decision to allow it a full season to settle first instead of rushing onto it because the members want to play it.

 

[adamk15]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Booked a tee off time for tomorow so hope the weather is good haha. I'll prob report back tomorow after my round

 

[stevek1969]

Superb , hope you enjoy it and well done for qualifying and good luck for next week, let us no how you get on

 

[birdieman]

Played it 10 or 12 times over the years. Wonderful layout. My recommendation is to watch placement off the tee carefully. It's not long but it's pretty tight so 3 wood/hybrid/long iron off many tees is the percentage shot. Heather lurks alongside nearly all fairways.
Greens aren't too tricky but there are some run-off areas that you wouldn't see clearly from the approach so a practice round would be beneficial in that respect.
The 15th is a driveable par 4, however the percentage shot is a lay-up short of any trouble, only leaves a short iron in - DON'T go for the green off the tee - it's a 1 in 5 chance so it'll most likely end in tears if you do!
Oh and try and concentrate - the views are stunning and can be distracting. The steam railway runs by the 1st to 4th holes which only adds to the visual appeal.

 

[adamk15]

Hi again.

Well went round today and shot a nett 71 which is alrite really

I bought a course guide thingy which I found quite useful. I think I was a bit aggresive off the tee, not often succesfully, so the big dog will remain in the bag more often next week. It's a nice course but very tight which was quite tricky for me. Oh, AND THE GREENS they were very nippy today so will have to slow down the putts a wee bit next time.

Looking forward t next week now, I'll keep you's posted