In the lower highlands, set in the quaint city of Pitlochry,sits one of the lesser known jewels in the crown of golf that is Scotland. Pitlochry Golf Course might not be a named destination golf course but certainly should be considered as a great stop off on your way to that named golf destination. For our travel group, the course provided an opportunity to knock the rust off our golf games from 4,000 plus miles of travel. Pitlochry was also a great stop off destination as we left Edinburgh and made our way into the Scottish Highlands.
Like the game of golf, Pitlochry Golf Course certainly has its ups and downs. I mean that literally as being in the hills of Scotland it’s more than just a stretch of the legs and can be a good blood pumping workout as you traverse a few areas of the course. The first three holes take you up to the higher land of the golf course. It was at that point, we were happy to pause an offer a single behind us the opportunity to take his time and play through. By the way, the do have a few golf carts or buggies as they call them for those not down for the walk.
When you reach the 3rd green you are rewarded with your first chance to look back over the sweeping views of sheep-filled pastures, green rolling hills and the local homes of some of the 3,000 residents. It’s here that you realize you’re somewhere special. Our group paused taking in the views as well of the fragrant smells wafting through the course as a refreshing cool breeze blew.
If you go to their website, the course touts itself as the best course in Scotland under 60 pounds and also the best golf course in the world under 6,000 yards. I can’t confirm or refute either statement, but would like a chance to answer it one day. What I can tell you is that it is a good test of golf even coming in at under 6,000 yards. The fairways are generous but don’t miss them as the rough steps up to about a foot deep after an initial lower cut and finding a ball can be tough in there. As for the cost, it’s a bargain and a value. We teed off at 4PM and paid around 40 pounds each.
Pitlochry Golf Course was constructed in 1908 in its present site to maximize the land and the views of the area. It has seen the likes of golf legends Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen and Tommy Armour stroll its fairways. What the course lacked in yardage, it made up in small, fast, sloping greens. Today’s greens seem quite fair in size and green speed additionally is fair and playable.
The course today plays at a par of 69 and is made up only of Par 4’s and par 3’s. That certainly helps in explaining it’s overall yardage number which is now around 5,700 yards. There are a few drivable par 4’s which are one of the fun things about this course. Your drive must be true and straight on those holes as they were designed to leave no shot or an extremely difficult 2nd shot if you take them on and are out of position.
The Par-4 5th hole is the highlight of the layout. It’s named Queen Mary’s Rest. Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots rested by this tee box. It’s a 360 yard hole with an ancient stone wall down the right side of the hole. Positioning off the tee is important as players hitting tee shots down the left side will find themselves blocked out. A good tee shot is only half the challenge as the green is elevated and completely surrounded by tall grass. The second shot is one of those stand and deliver moments in golf where you really must hit the green or prepare for bogey or worse. From the fairway, the green looks tiny. However, there is more room than the player can see from down the fairway.
If you are in Scotland, look for a reason to be in Pitlochry and play Pitlochry Golf Course. It’s really a fun golf course that plays well beyond it’s 5,700 yards. The views of the surrounding hills and the town below including famed Blair Castle in the distance are spectacular. The walk down the 18th fairway is a great way to end the round. It’s an all downhill par 4 playing just 328 yards. The red roofed clubhouse and restaurant sit to the right of the 18th green which has a small burn in front protecting it from long tee shots or short 2nd’s. It’s here we were greeted by our travel group taking in the views and our last hole of golf.