Newtonmore Golf Club

Newtonmore was the fourth venue on our annual MAGI golf tour to Scotland from Matlock GC, now in our sixth year. As the ex-pat Scottish organiser I always worry that my selection - based on golfing memories 25+ years old - may prove faulty. Newtonmore did not disappoint, but it didn't inspire either. I had forgoptten how flat it is. After the first two holes it opens out into a riverside plain that, frankly, is rather repetitive. It is difficult to remember any of the 'middle round' holes, which are a succession of long par 3s (4s off the white tees) and dogleg 4s, with the river adjacent, but not really featuring . The 18th is probably the most memorable hole with a finish that stretches your intuition and judgement. Balancing this blandness is the superb standard of greenkeeping that Newtonmore exhibits - well-kept but not over-manicured holes with firm fast and true greens. And the scenery is magnificent. Newtonmore probably suffered by comparison with our morning round that day at Kingussie (see separate review). With a good welcome from staff and members, I'd happily recommend it to visitors but if you have to make a choice between the two, pick Kingussie. It is Highland golf at its best - charming, rustic, quirky and great value.

A scenic and well maintained course surrounded by the Cairgorm Mountains. Not too challenging and pleasant enough to play. An excellent choice for holiday golf or for society outings. Staff and members friendly. The course guide can best be described as quirky - some yardages are suspect and some holes are difficult to interpret from the schematic. The author of the playing notes for each hole did his/her best to talk up the challenge but as my playing partner observed, they did tend to 'over-egg the pudding'. Stood on the 18th tee and studied the plan of the hole which made not a lot of sense to either of us. Bob (of the contact lenses) peered into the distance and confidently stated that he could see the flag in front of the clubhouse. We both hit drives towards it only to find once we got to the balls that we had actually been aiming at the car park and at a car's rear light cluster and that the green was some 70 yards to our right and hidden in a dip! A relaxing round on a decent course in beautiful scenery.

Played the course at the start of our usual week long tour of Scotland leading up to the Open Championship. While the course was enjoyable it did not grip the imagination as much as Kingussie, just up the road. Except for a few holes, the round was fairly average and mundane, albeit the course was in good condition. £25 a round not good value.

I was a little disapointed with this course because the white tees were 6000yards but we played of the yellows at 5400yards. If the yellow tees had been nearer to the white this would play better, more would come back because the course was in great condition and the members were very friendly. Don't let the length put you off it was a good day!

A thoroughly enjoyable experience. The course feels as if you should make a really goood score but the narrowness of some of the fairways puts a premium on accuracy. My favourite hole was the 3rd playing from the elevated tee. The 17th is a deceptive par 3 and I would recommend that you take a careful look at it whilst playing the first and second. Finally, I have to say, a very friendly clubhouse - a real treat to play - enjoy !

The course opens with either a long par 3 off the yellow tee or a short par 4 off the whites. The second is a driveable par 4 but look out for the right hand side woods & railway line. The elevated 3rd tee warrants opening up the shoulders for big drive. From here on through to the 17th, the course is pleasant but flat parkland where anything straight will keep you out of the long grass. The 17th itself is a challenging par-3 that requires good direction & length to walk of it with a three. The final hole takes a short iron second shot and will see you home safely to the refreshments on offer in the club house or the nearby Capercaille restaurant.

This is quite a good course and very enjoyable to play because the greens and turf are good, its very peaceful and the scenery is world-class.