Only Tom Doak's 2nd solo design, his remit, when building Heathlands, was to be an ode to Scotland. Having spent time in Scotland Doak felt equipped to take on the project, and whilst clearly not at the level of his later creations, Heathland is a step up from the run of the mill, flat, water laden courses that are so prolific throughout the area.

To be clear, it isn't heathland nor linksy, but it does have a more British feel than many courses I've played throughout the US, with the exception of the Golden Age designs in New England and Bandon Dunes in Oregon.

Doak took a flat piece of land and created a rolling terrain, not with banking per se down the side of each hole, but more using ridges built across the property for the holes to play upto and down from.

The website for the course states the design "is a return to the grand “Old Country” traditions of the game. It has been distinctly molded in the image of the British Isles links courses, with holes reminiscent of familiar links like St. Andrews, and lesser known gems like Lahinch and Cruden Bay"

All I can say in this regard is that it is nothing like any of the above at all. Nor is Doaks nod to the Road hole. I'm not sure what road he was referring to but probably more the nearby I501 than St Andrews!

American resorts often market and misrepresent courses often as something they are not, to stand out. I once played Glen Eagle, 'a taste of Scotland ' in Salt Lake City. It had as much a genuine taste of Scotland as a deep fried Mars Bar!

The same applies to Heathlands. Even to the extent there is bagpipe player waiting to greet you upon arrival. All to sell a dream that simply does not exist in reality.

This isn't to knock Doaks early work. It was the best of the 5 courses I played during my recent trip. The course is fairly open, with wide fairways, with exception of holes 5 and 6 which are more wooded and out of keeping with the rest of the course design. Water features on many holes, caused by a brook running through the course, resulting in one hole having a split fairway, something seen in manufactured holes, not natural Scottish courses.

There are some good holes however, aided by good green complexes. My favourites were:

Hole 2 - a short 90° dogleg right to a hidden green, well protected by a large mound front right and then bunkers and a sloping green

Hole 9 - a fine, more linksy style hole, with the approach played to an elevated green, well protected by a large bunker, some 8 feet deep.