DRIVING RANGE
We spent some quality time on the range to warm up. The weather was perfect and the range facilities are nice. Even though it is not on grass it was still good.
CLUBHOUSE
The clubhouse has an iconic design shape to it and as the club is relatively new it has all the facilities you need for the experience. The views from the clubhouse are amazing.
Hole 1
The first hole is a short par 4 measuring 302 meters from the regular tees. It is straight forward opening hole. I was too cautious of the right hand water and rough from the tee. My drive was in the left hand rough and I made an opening bogey.
HOLE 2
The second hole is good par where you need to either go left or right of the mount in the middle. Either way will give you an opportunity to go for the green. A good hole with bunkers protecting the right hand side of the green and of course the water if you are too far out. Large undulating green.
HOLE 3
The third hole is a great par 4 measuring 243 meters. A reachable distance but with plenty of trouble on the way. There are bunkers in the fairway and closer to the green. Obviously the water on the right hand side but also a very narrow green and run off areas around. Just the way you want a good risk/reward par 4 to be designed. I hit a good drive on the perfect line that bounced onto the green and set me up for an eagle opportunity. I had to settle for a birdie which was very nice anyway.
HOLE 6
The 6th hole is a good par 5 with a blind shot from the tee. The green is narrow with run off in the front and bunkers.
HOLE 7
Great views of the 7th green.
HOLE 9
The 9th hole is a par 4 that is drivable from the tee. Great setting with the clubhouse in the background approaching the green. I missed my drive right from the tee and had to take a penalty stroke. Double bogey to finish the front nine.
BACK NINE AT CASTLE STUART
HOLE 10
The 10th is a par 4 uphill where you need to favor the left hand side for the best approach as the green slopes away from you. I made good opening par to start the back nine.
HOLE 11
The 11th hole on Castle Stuart is a superb par 3. Short but with plenty of challenges to take care of any wayward shots. I hit a 9 iron just short of the green and made par.
HOLE 12
The 12th hole is a long uphill par 5. I got on the green in regulation but 3 putted for a poor bogey.
HOLE 14
HOLE 18 - best par 5 on Castle Stuart
The 18th hole is a really good finishing par 5. I missed my drive into the right hand rough but it was not too bad. I managed to hit a 6 iron close to the green and make birdie.
MY EXPERIENCE
Castle Stuart is a nice golf course and was better than I expected. It has some great holes and was a challenging course. The course was in nice condition and we had fantastic weather. I was happy with my back nine 38 after a disappointing front nine 42.
MY SCORE
[…] lists. We played the course twice during a trip to Scotland where we also played Castle Stuart (link) and Carnegie Golf Club […]