Alyth
Alyth
Laid out on moorland by Old Tom Morris, Alyth opened as a
nine hole course in 1894. It was later extended to 18 revised by
James Braid, creating another excellent combination of work
by these two legendary designers. Holes move over rolling
heathland, constantly chaperoned by trees. It makes Alyth a fun
and colourful round of golf. But not necessarily easy: despite its
short length (6,200 yards) accuracy is key as the folds of the land
ask questions of every golfer and burns make quite a nuisance of
themselves… especially on the par four 5th signature hole (The
Brig), where you must cross water twice. Alyth was awarded ‘Best
Course Under £50’ at the 2015 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.
Blairgowrie (Landsdowne)
The Rosemount course at Blairgowrie may be rated higher than its
Landsdowne sibling, but that means little when you get stuck into
this stern test of parkland golf. The avenues of pine and silver birch
may give a sense of similarity, but fairways on the Landsdowne are
tighter and the greens smaller. Accuracy becomes an essential asset
on this mostly level landscape. Its air of seclusion with views of the
Perthshire hills adds to its charm. Landsdowne was designed by Peter
Alliss and Dave Thomas, and it opened in 1979. The course hosted
the Scottish Amateur Championship in 2013 and PGA Championship
Final in 2014.
42
Auchterarder
Located right next to Gleneagles, this is a short and entertaining
parkland with plenty to offer golfers looking for an alternative to the
mighty Gleneagles experience alongside. At only 5,800 yards it may
be short but this par 69 contains six par threes, with two of those
over 200 yards. There is plenty of movement to the terrain and small
greens to keep you from swinging wildly. And then there are the
views towards Gleneagles and the Ochil Hills… the most intriguing
view, however, might be from the 6th, where you can look down on
the Gleneagles Centenary course.
Blairgowrie (Rosemount)
This highly rated inland course has heathland flourishes throughout,
but what makes it stand out are the avenues of trees and how they
embrace greens like amphitheatres. The crisp turf is a joy to hit off
as fairways roll through the tall avenues. It makes the Rosemount
course a pretty affair and also a very playable one as fairways
are generous. Greens offer large targets, but the undulations
will challenge golfers of all abilities. The two-tiered green on the
acclaimed par three 17th is a case in point. The design is mostly
James Braid, with flourishes of Alister MacKenzie thrown in.