The first review from Course Experience Psychologist Stephen Smith as he tours the home of golf.
Think of Scottish golf and most people will immediately visualise the links down by the seaside. Of course, Scotland has many famous links courses but there is so much more on offer for those prepared to look hard enough. Crieff Golf club is a classic example of an inland course sitting right in the very centre of the country where the lowlands transform into the mountainous highlands beloved of historic rebels like William Wallace. Thankfully the sound of clashing steel has now been replaced by the thwack of golf clubs on balls- though cries of anguish are still very common.
Crieff has been servicing local and travelling golfers since 1891 and now has two courses. There is the 18 hole Ferntower course and a 9 hole Dornock course meaning there is something for everyone here. Sunday Slicers played the Ferntower course which was opened in 1980. Off the back tees it is a challenging 6493 yards par 71 and has hosted a number of prestigious events such as the Scottish Golf Union Championships, The Scottish Boys Open as well as the County Championship. Not being quite up to that standard we took it easy and played off the yellow tees.
The course starts with a short par 3 that is deceptively difficult. It looks like a wee flick but even if you miss the bunkers the green is wickedly sloped. This is a key factor on the courses and is one of its key defences. The layout means that you play up and down or along the side of the foot of the mountains. Being able to read the greens and then have the confidence to give enough break to a putt across the slope is not as easy as it looks. Home advantage will count for a lot here on the greens.
The course overlooks the Strathearn Valley and the views are magnificent. If anything they improve as the round goes on. The rough is cut reasonably short so there is not a lot of time wasted hunting for balls and the fairways are reasonably wide and accommodating of shots that are not straight down the middle. If you do go off line there is the risk of getting caught behind the trees that line the course and that may mean the odd chip out. The bunkers were well filled with sand and consistent across the course.
We loved the finish to the course. The 17th is a very short par 3 where you tee off well above the level of the green which always gives an opportunity for a closing birdie- or even that holy grail of a hole in one. Even if you have not carded a great score up to that point you know that this opportunity still awaits so it keeps the spirits up on even the most depressing of golfing days.
At £45 a round for summer peak time it is not cheap but is very competitively priced for the region and we will be back.
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: White: 71. Yellow: 71 Red (female): 74
Yards: White: 6,493 Yellow: 6,061. Red: 5,609
Slope: White: 127. Yellow: 126. Red: 123
Visitor Green Fees: £45 in summer
Website: www.crieffgolf.co.uk
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (September 2023).
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
