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Alyth
An 18-hole (6,259 yds) heathland
layout, Alyth Golf Club was established in 1894.
The original 9 holes were designed by the master
Old Tom Morris of St Andrews with James Braid
completing the extension in 1934.
Playing the course demands constant attention
as a combination of tree lined fairways and diverse
rolling terrain make the emphasis on precision
golf rather than distance, although both are required.
A
round of golf at Alyth is usually a challenge
to any golfer, no matter his or her handicap.
The fairways in general are wide and receptive
whilst the greens are possibly larger than on
most courses. Five consecutive holes from the
fifth do have out of bounds to the right, but
unless you are prone to wayward slicing, they
shouldn't present too much of a problem. So where's
the aforementioned challenge? Well, lurking on
either side of most fairways are trees and gorse
bushes ready to gobble up the wild shot. Therefore,
it is not an uncommon occurrence to see a downcast
golfer taking club lengths back to the playing
surface and dropping the ball from shoulder height
(and possibly muttering under his or her breath!)
A
straight putt on the first green is a rarity and
with its large borrows it's not unusual, especially
for the unwary visitor, to be home in two, down
in five. Of course, if the phrase "tricky
greens” is implanted in the mind early on, then
the danger is that the putter will be working
overtime during the round.
Perhaps the most challenging hole is the 5th:
lost ball country abounds up the left. To the
right is out of bounds from tee to green. The
fairway is crossed by two ditches, one at right
angles to the fairway, the other running diagonally.
It's a dog leg right hole and just to cap it all,
the green is on a plateau with subtle borrows
and a slope from front to back. Few; if any, will
grumble at carding a par 4 here.
However,
Alyth is nothing if not a fair test of golf. It's easy
to say it in writing, but if you can hold the fairways,
judge the distances, choose the right clubs and have
a reasonable run of success on the greens, you should
come off the 18th with a decided spring in your step.
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