Hole 1 – Up ‘n’ Awa
W 225, Y 218, R 215 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 17.
The first is a straight-forward opening hole, played up to a generous green.
A marker indicates the direction of play and the top of the flagstick may just be glimpsed from the raised tee box.
There’s plenty of fairway to work with but the hole plays longer than its length suggests.
1st Green with Holy Isle Beyond
Hole 2 – Peat Road
W 195, Y 186, R 183 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 9.
Approaching the 2nd Green
Having gained a little height, the second brings the first of many spectacular views out over the Firth of Clyde.
Played towards the hills above Glenashdale, an accurate tee shot will be rewarded by finding the green or being a short chip away. The fairway gathers to the left.
Club selection is key, as the course runs out just behind the green. Trouble also lurks both sides of the fairway for the slicer and the hooker.
Take care to check right for golfers on the eighteenth tee as you advance and cross the eighteenth fairway.
Hole 3 – Wee Wullie
W 178, Y 150, R 144 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 3.
Slightly shorter than the second, the third is another longish par 3 playing to a small green that will punish a wayward approach.
A tee shot played carefully just short of the green can be rewarded with an up and down for par but beware the slope on the left hand side of the green.
A conservative bogey here is never a disaster.
Beside the 3rd Green
Hole 4 – Plateau
W 112, Y 83, R 74 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 13.
The 4th Green Looking Back Towards the Tee
The fourth is a short but tricky hole.
Avoid over-clubbing as there is a steep gully behind and to the left of the green but come up short and right and the steep fairway may well deliver the ball back to your feet.
At only 80-odd yards there is a short climb to the green, but the views are worth it and your ascent of the course is all but complete.
Hole 5 – Goat Fell
W 209, Y 207, R 203 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 13.
Another challenging par 3 but also an opportunity to drive the green for a par or better. Keep left from the tee to avoid the slope that carries into the rough on the right.
Approaching the 5th Green
Hole 6 – Dry Dyke
W 265, Y 252, R 249 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 15.
The 6th Green and Fairway
A shortish and straightforward par 4 with a generously proportioned green and all trouble spots obvious to the eye. Long hitters will want to clear the ditch to set up a par or better but there is plenty of fairway to lay up for shorter shots. As you move off the tee, take care of golfers driving up the eighth to your right.
Hole 7 – Braes ‘n’ Dunes
W 231, Y 229 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 11.
R 225 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 11.
A blind tee shot to a green with many twists and turns. Please wait for the bell before driving off. Shorter hitters can aim to the left of the marker to take advantage of the run of the hill into the green. One of the trickiest greens on the course, the 7th is a true challenge for your putter. If you feel the need there is a wooden shelter where you can rest your nerves and let the following game through (and enjoy their travails if you are feeling particularly vindictive).
Please ring the bell when you have putted out.
The 7th Green and Shelter
Hole 8 – The Gully
W 355, R 346, R 319 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 1.
Across the Gully to the 8th Green
A tricky par 4 hole playing back toward the sea. Long hitters may reach the green in two, but from the tee be careful not to drive into the rough beyond the brow of the hill.
Mere mortals will want to chip up to the marker from their drive before playing over the gully. It’s not as far as it seems, so beware over-hitting into the deep rough beyond the ninth fairway.
A ‘number 8’ marker indicates the direction of the green and it can be seen clearly from the tee and the top of the fairway.
Hole 9 – Wallace’s
W 252, Y 212 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 9
R 210 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 9.
After the hard work of the 8th, gentle par four (off the yellow tees for the gents) to finish the outward nine provides the opportunity to burnish a good card before the turn.
The views back across the eighth and fourth greens from the tee are spectacular.
Once again, a marker indicates the way.
The 9th Fairway and Green
Hole 10 – Clear Spring
W 313, Y 259, R 259 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 10.
The Panorama at the 10th Green
Another blind tee shot but a decent drive slightly right of centre and a good iron will take you to the raised green tucked into the hill-side. If you feel brave and want to try straight for the green, a marker indicates the ‘Tiger Line’ off the tee.
The banking above the green may help gather you onto the green, but beware the ball that sticks on the bank.
Enjoy the panoramic views from the green here and from the 11th tees above.
Hole 11 – Auld Feartie
W 201, Y 166, R 164 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 2.
An accurate tee shot is required here. Out of bounds on the left and deep rough on the right make this a very challenging hole and a risk to any card.
The views from the tee are the best on the course and on a clear day Ben Lomond and the Arrochar hills are visible.
Beside the 11th Green
Hole 12 – Clyde View
W 322, Y 315 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 12.
R 309 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 8.
The 12th Tee and Fairway
Although not long, a testing par four where long hitters can elect to clear the ridge and try for the green; aim left of the marker to avoid the trees and rough beyond the ridge to the right.
Shorter hitters may lay-up before the hill from where a good iron shot will see the ball onto the green but take care not to overshoot as the rough behind the green is perilous indeed.
Another fine viewpoint is the top of the ridge for a view over to Holy Isle and as far north as Ben Lomond in the right conditions.
Hole 13 – Glenashdale
W 249, Y 221, R 219 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 4.
As hard a par three as you’ll encounter anywhere. Aiming into a raised green, tucked right at the end of the fairway with trouble behind, a well struck fade is the best hope to hold the green but a slice can be fatal with heavy rough along the right hand side of the hole. If laying up, a good lofted second shot is needed to keep the ball on the green.
The 13th Green and Holy Isle Beyond
Hole 14 – Holy Isle
W 254, Y 229, R 227 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 18.
The 14th Fairway and Green
Please wait for the bell before playing.
A good drive slightly left of the marker and down the hill, offers even the modest hitter the chance of a par or better. A short slice can catch the shrubs and trees to the right and a short hook, similar hazards on the left.
If using a buggy, note the warning notices and descend via the track to the right of the tee, around the seventeenth green.
Please ring the bell once you have finished.
Hole 15 – Fairy Glen
W 323, Y 307, R 289 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 14.
At all costs avoid drifting left from the tee. Long hitters will wish to drive the green, for others the skill will be in getting the second shot to run down the hill onto the putting surface and keeping it there!
There’s plenty of fairway to work with on the right but take care not to over-club onto the green as rough lies beyond.
A good downhill hole that plays shorter than advertised.
The 15th Tees and Fairway
Hole 16 – Roun Again
W 203, Y 202 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 8.
R 201 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 6.
Looking Across the 16th Green
A drive back up hill that plays longer than it looks, with plenty of fairway to work with and a raised green.
Beware overshooting the green into the trees beyond.
Hole 17 – The Cauldron
W 131, Y 127, R 123 yards. Par 3. Stroke Index 16.
A clean tee shot on the green offers the opportunity for a par or much better.
Keep below the hole if you can, as chips and putts from above can very easily disappear back down the fairway.
The green is fiendish, twisting and multi-tiered; hence ‘The Cauldron’.
Home of many a hole in one, but also as easy to score a six from nowhere.
The 17th Green
Hole 18 – Springhill
W 433, Y 383 yards. Par 4. Stroke Index 6.
R 373 yards. Par 5. Stroke Index 12.
The 18th Fairway, Green and Clubhouse
A fine finishing hole, one of the best on the island according to many golfers both locals and visitors.
A good drive left of the marker will set up a par opportunity. Avoid slicing right as out of bounds beckons throughout the hole.
The green is lightning fast with danger on all sides.
Watch out for players crossing from the second tee before you drive off.