mcbroon
Journeyman Pro
I was down playing at The Hirsel in Coldstream last night and I really enjoyed it.
The Hirsel calls itself the Augusta of the North and you can see where they're coming from. Although it's quite short, just under 6,000 off the yellows, what it lacks in length it makes up for by requiring you to be accurate. You may not need to use the driver too much. There are some tight fairways and you have to watch your approach shots, as it's easy to go long if you fly it too far.
The pick of the holes for me were the 7th, 162yds, slightly downhill, with the green sat directly behind the river which calls to mind the famous 12th at Augusta; the 10th, which is a lovely little hole. Only 93 yds, playing a long way downhill to the green which sits just the other side of the river. It doesn't look like much but it's tricky; The 13th, a tough par 4, which has a large tree jutting into the right hand side of the fairway that you need to steer clear of to have a chance of reaching the green; and finally, the closing hole is a cracker. It's a par 5 just over 500 yds, with a tight drive to a fairway that slopes right to left, and 2 bunkers in front of the green. Reachable in two but tight enough and well enough guarded to cause trouble for anything a bit wild. It's a great finish to a really enjoyable course.
Having seen the photos that Dodger put up here last year, the condition of the course now is remarkable. The grass is lush and it's in really, really good nick. The only (very small) criticism I would have is that the greens could do with a cut - they were a bit on the slow side.
If you get the chance to play it, then grab it. And once you get round, enjoy a seat on the clubhouse balcony, which has a great view overlooking the 1st tee and the 18th green. It's a beautiful setting and a great place to relax and watch the golfing world go by.
The Hirsel calls itself the Augusta of the North and you can see where they're coming from. Although it's quite short, just under 6,000 off the yellows, what it lacks in length it makes up for by requiring you to be accurate. You may not need to use the driver too much. There are some tight fairways and you have to watch your approach shots, as it's easy to go long if you fly it too far.
The pick of the holes for me were the 7th, 162yds, slightly downhill, with the green sat directly behind the river which calls to mind the famous 12th at Augusta; the 10th, which is a lovely little hole. Only 93 yds, playing a long way downhill to the green which sits just the other side of the river. It doesn't look like much but it's tricky; The 13th, a tough par 4, which has a large tree jutting into the right hand side of the fairway that you need to steer clear of to have a chance of reaching the green; and finally, the closing hole is a cracker. It's a par 5 just over 500 yds, with a tight drive to a fairway that slopes right to left, and 2 bunkers in front of the green. Reachable in two but tight enough and well enough guarded to cause trouble for anything a bit wild. It's a great finish to a really enjoyable course.
Having seen the photos that Dodger put up here last year, the condition of the course now is remarkable. The grass is lush and it's in really, really good nick. The only (very small) criticism I would have is that the greens could do with a cut - they were a bit on the slow side.
If you get the chance to play it, then grab it. And once you get round, enjoy a seat on the clubhouse balcony, which has a great view overlooking the 1st tee and the 18th green. It's a beautiful setting and a great place to relax and watch the golfing world go by.
