BLAIRGOWRIE LANSDOWNE COURSE
18 Holes Scorecard Parkland
In the heart of Perthshire, there are three courses at Blairgowrie Golf Club with the Rosemount being the most celebrated. But anyone who knows these courses well will tell you, the Lansdowne is the more challenging and for many the more interesting.
Back in the late 1800’s, Tom Morris described the Blairgowrie terrain course as, “the most beautiful inland green I have ever seen”. The Lansdowne course shares the same wooded groves as the Rosemount but it is a decidedly more modern layout in terms of length and finish. Created in the late 1970’s by Peter Allis and Dave Thomas the course navigates through avenues of pine and silver birch all trimmed with heather.
At 6802 yards off the whites, length is certainly a prerequisite here but so too is accuracy. This is where Lansdowne comes into its own, a full-blooded, demanding stretch especially off the tee. Small wonder, when it comes to competitions that it has the reputation of being the superior of the Blairgowrie courses. The challenge comes early in the round. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th are all long tight Par 4’s where the judicious player sees sense in going for safe landings rather than spanning the distance. Leaving the driver alone inevitably leaves long second shots but at least the ball will remain in play. Keep your powder dry during these three holes and you might come off with a reasonable score.
The back nine lets you breath easy for one or two holes but you can never lose concentration on this seriously challenging design. The home stretch from the 14th onwards only increases the assault, the 14th being an elongated Par 3, well over 200 yards. The 15th is one of the longest and strongest Par 4’s on the course, a clear case of risk management a.k.a leave the driver in the bag and avoid disturbing the woodland inhabitants.
So, heed the warning! Lansdowne is probably the most unforgiving golf course in Perthshire. But for those that can face a true challenge and adjust their game-plan to suit, it can be hugely rewarding, offering a genuine test to even the most seasoned golfer.
