Courses
36 holes of true links heaven
The Medal
White
6655yds / Par 71
Yellow
6420yds / Par 71
Red
5972yds / Par 73
The opening stretch at Monifieth runs right alongside the main Aberdeen to London railway line with out of bounds a constant threat on your right. After a modest opening hole with a lovely undulating fairway, a trait throughout the course, it begins to move through the gears over the next few holes. They climax with the excellent fourth where the green is located amidst large dunes on all sides with only a narrow entrance to run your ball through and onto the putting surface.
The next, a par three of almost 200 yards, is no less demanding and like both other short holes on the course (11 and 14) it has a beautiful green complex with a number of bunkers eager to capture the wayward shot. A blind drive at the 6th requires bravery as you play alongside the train track for the final time. As it transpires a lone bunker down the left is the only real threat but it is perfectly located where the ideal place for an approach to this angled green would be.
The 7th is a beautiful looking hole with a thrilling drive, which must carry a burn, to a fairway that meanders through shallow dunes. The outward half closes with two birdie opportunities; a short par four followed by a two-tiered par five with a rumbling fairway that cascades down to the lower level at around the 300 yard mark before a series of bunkers must be negotiated on the approach to the green.
The second nine is perhaps not quite as demanding, it certainly isn’t as long, but it undoubtedly has the best looking holes and is initially played over more undulating terrain than the rest of the course. The 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th are simply stunning looking par four holes as you stand on the tee and salivate at the prospect of playing them. Each one melts into the natural landscape perfectly and requires accuracy rather than length on both the drive and the approach. We were fortunate to play the course towards the end of May when the gorse was almost in full bloom and this certainly added an extra dimension to some of these holes on this lovely part of the course.
The round finishes strongly too as you return to flatter ground. The strategic par four 16th has several bunkers to avoid on both the tee shot and the second whilst the 17th at 435 yards is no pushover. The finishing hole, a shallow dog-legging par five around a prominent bunker on the inner elbow, is a fine closing hole and whilst it may present a birdie opportunity for some trouble lurks throughout its 530 yards.
Golf Empire
MEDAL HOLE GUIDE:
#1: Ian McLeod
Fairly gentle 338 yd opening hole. But beware, main Aberdeen – London railway line hard on right of fairway (out of bounds).
Pro’s tip: “A tee shot of 220-240 will take the trees behind the second tee out of play and still leave a short iron for your approach”
#2: Jimmy Lindsay
Tough par 4 over 400 yds. After the gentle opening this hole will sort you out! It demands a good tee shot,hit your Driver unless your playing with a strong wind at your tail. The railway line come into play the nearer you get to the green.
Pro’s tip: “Try to avoid the right side of the green. 5 is not a bad score.”
#3: The Roses
Plays similar to 2nd, with trouble left and right off the tee. There is more ground between middle guarding bunker and green than it looks.
Pro’s tip: “Avoid the bunkers on this hole at all cost, bunkers at 250-260 from the tee can come into play and also be aware of the big bunker in the middle when hitting your second shot which plays a little longer than it looks”
#4: Featherbed
The longest and toughest par 4 on the course. Rough lines both sides of the fairway and a tricky new bunker has been put in at 255 yards,also tightly guarded green with a small gap between high mounds.
Pro’s tip: “For all but the long hitters play this one as par 5. Try and avoid the bunker at 255 from the tee and keep left with your 2nd shot.”
#5: South Buddon
First of the par 3’s. Tightly bunkered all round the green with a tee hard against the railway line.
Pro’s tip: “Although almost 200yds, if tee shot carries ridge at 150yds it is downhill from there to the green.”
#6: Lucky Daddy
Par 4 and not for the faint hearted. Burn to the left, out of bounds to the right off the tee. A narrow well protected green.
Pro’s tip: “A short prayer before tackling this hole.”
#7: North Buddon
A long par 4 in the opposite direction to first 6 holes. Longish carry over burn from tee, with judgement of 2nd shot difficult.
Pro’s tip: “This will be the first hole where wind is in the opposite direction. Think!”
#8: The Valley
Short par 4 again heading East. A copse of trees is waiting for the overambitious. Tightly bunkered at green.
Pro’s tip: “Genuine Birdie chance. Short on line is the clever tee shot.”
#9: Long Hole
First par 5. Fairly generous off the tee but avoid the bunker at 250 on the left, the second shot requires a good one with plenty trouble waiting for the 2nd shot. Tightly bunkered at the green.
Pro’s tip: “Try to keep both drive and 2nd shot to left half of fairway.”
#10: The Rashies
Par 4 with one of the most demanding drives. Water to the left,heather mounds to the right. Beware the gathering bunker to right of green.
Pro’s tip: “Similar to the 1st hole, it is not necessarily a Driver off the tee”
#11: Ashbank
2nd par 3. Tightly bunkered left and right at the green, with gorse bushes awaiting the errant shot on both sides.
Pro’s tip: “Take plenty club. It plays longer than it looks.”
#12: Elsinore
Fairly gentle par 4 with an angle ridge to make the bigger hitters think off the tee. Bunkers and gorse await any 2nd shot hit to the right.
Pro’s tip: “Pay attention to judgement of 2nd shot.”
#13: The Pyramids
The course starts to head for home. Tough par 4 with a narrow fairway and trouble on both sides. A small awkward green.
Pro’s tip: “For the handicap golfer, 5 is a good score. ”
#14: The Sandbed
Last of the par 3s. Shortest of the 3, but not necessarily the easiest. The green looks small from the tee because it is so well bunkered.
Pro’s tip: “Check the wind direction on the tee,plays longer than looks. This hole lies in a different direction to the 13th.”
#15: The Plantation
Many think of this as our signature hole. It requires a good drive to the left half of the ridge. Anything down the right and you are forced to deal with the large tree guarding the front right of the green.
Pro’s tip: “If you can’t drive over the ridge then it is best to play for short left or you will end up in old man’s gulch!”
#16: Wilderness
Short par 4 which proves that length is not needed for a well designed hole. Large bunkers left and right stop long hitters going for the green which is itself well bunkered.
Pro’s tip: “A well placed tee shot is essential. Short on line is better than long left”
#17: Provost Stewart
A long par 4 with a narrow tee shot. A ring of bunkers 65yds short of the green demands the choice of going for it, or a lay up. A long sloping green.
Pro’s tip: “This is a great golf hole. Easier said than done, but try to avoid the bunkers.”
#18: Ian Hutcheon
Good par 5 hole with trouble down the right for both 1st and 2nd shots. A long narrow green with a small entrance is positioned in front of the Clubhouses.
Pro’s tip: “A real risk and reward hole. Played steadily for a 5 does not present too many problems, but trying to hit the green with 2 big shots can create many problems.”
Ashludie
White
5123yds / Par 68
Red
4803yds / Par 68
The course is 1,500 yards shorter than its big brother but with slightly smaller greens and more aggressive contouring around them the challenge is no less diminished and arguably a lot more fun.
It’s the type of course that feeds your imagination and enables you to conjure up shots that you rarely get chance to play on most other courses.
I can’t speak highly enough of this lovely ‘wee course’ and unless it’s demanding championship golf that you’re seeking for your second round of the day this is more than worth a play.
The raised green at the 275 yard first sets a tone that resounds throughout the full 18 holes. There are a number of short par fours that alone wouldn’t be out of place on many a top golf course. As a collection they come together to produce a lively and entertaining round of golf.
Golf Empire
