Scotland, United Kingdom
If you can survive the climb up the first few holes at Pitlochry Golf Club, then the views are quite possibly the most breathtaking in golf.
If you can survive the climb up the first few holes at Pitlochry Golf Club, then the views are quite possibly the most breathtaking in golf.
Pitlochry Golf Course
4
I’m making a habit of the shorter courses on this Scottish trip. Another course under 6,000 yards. The website states ‘ The Best Course in the World...under 6,000 yards’. Whilst I disagree with that statement, having just played Gleneagles Queens and Boat Of Garten, the course would certainly be up there based on the outstanding and spectacular scenic views which is there right from the off.
Having warmed up at the excellent driving range area with views of the mountains in front of you, you tee off from a high tee adjacent to the quaint and picturesque clubhouse and pro shop, with their white walls and red roofs, nestled amongst tall pine trees. It’s an idyllic setting.
The 1st 3 holes play steadily up the hill in front of you. With no par 5’s on the course, it doesn’t mean the course is a push over, and after a very heavy nights rain, the fairways were very wet so there absolutely no run, meaning it played significantly longer than its yardage on the opening stretch, especially the 417 yard 2nd.
I mixed the tees up, playing some yellow, some white, depending on what suited my eye the most. The whites suited for the most part.
You catch your 1st breath after the 3rd, a short par 4, when you play the 1st of only 3 par 3’s on the course. This is the least inspiring of them although the views are amazing.
The pick of the 1st half dozen holes is the 5th which is a challenging par 4. The landing area is generous but oob is down the right and position is key for your 2nd shot to a green that is tucked away above you behind a rocky outcrop.
Interesting history on the 1st few holes adds to the charm of the course - the 1st hole was the site of a distillery, the 4th green is the site of an old Pictish fort and Mary Queen of Scotts reputably rested near the 5th tee!
Another very high tee, surrounded by trees, for the 6th as you drive downhill adjacent to the 5th you have come up - or in my case onto the 5th! To be honest I got a better angle into the green from where I was.
Then you play at 90 degrees a short 270 yard par 4. I layed up, leaving a short wedge into a receptive green. Good birdie opportunity. The 8th plays back alongside the 7th, with the green protected by bunkers to the right hand side and banking and rough to the right should your approach shot drift. A gully before the green also adds protection.
You finish the front 9 with spectacular views off the tee on a very steep downhill par 4, where you cannot drive the green - it must be played as a dog leg (there is a house tucked away out of sight off the tee).
The back 9 starts with the longest par 4 on the course and with a blind green over the hill for your second shot. Catch the downhill and a par should be achieved.
The 2nd par 3 follows and this is a stunning hole with 185 yards off the high elevated white tee, oob down the right, bunkers to the front and rough to the left. Needless to say accuracy and right length are vital!
Then follows another long par 4 but this is downhill, played over a burn just short of the green and bunkers and sloping to the right as its protection.
The 13th is a lovely par, played uphill to a raised green with large bunkers to the front. Correct clubbing is vital. And then the 14th I loved. Off the tee you can see rocky outcrops and trees which are in the fairway, but at 277 yards they should not come into play. Ignore, aim straight and you could be putting for eagle! As it was very wet in this area, my ball plugged where it landed, so had to settle for a chip and birdie putt.
Another short par 4 follows from an elevated tee and then you play the 16th, an excellent par 3. I played off both the whites and yellows. I preferred the yellow tee shot at 148 yards. This forest edges the hole and wild deer were grazing, then running across the green.
The 17th plays downhill as you start the final descent to the clubhouse. The green is a 2 tier affair, which makes the 2 putt for par interesting. And then the final hole, played downhill, over a burn in front of the green, which is adjacent to the beautiful clubhouse. The view is so pretty and oozes quintessential charm from a bygone era.
It may not be the best course in the World under 6000 yards but it is certainly one of the most scenic. The course conditioning is not up there with B of G or Gleneagles but the fun and challenge through a mix of short and long par 4’s, the up and down nature of the holes, the imagination used means that this is a course you should look up on any trip that takes you through the Highlands or during a stay in the beautiful Pitlochry itself. You won’t be disappointed and at £25 for a round on a Wednesday an absolute bargain.
Overall rating
4.0
Overall rating
4.0
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