The recently redesigned third hole is a cracker. The tee shot allows you your first glimpse of the views the club is famous for and asks you to choose which fairway you fancy landing on. Split by a ‘wee burn’ the fairway runs transversely either side and is striped to perfection by the greens-staff. The second shot has only a marker for reference up the steep hill so be sure not only choose a couple of extra clubs but to leak it right if anything as the bank will bring it back down to the green as if you planned it to.

A short but steep par four takes you up to the majority of the land upon which the course takes its name. Followed by a long par five you start to appreciate the land formations at this point not to mention the initiative the club’s forefathers must have had to create this golfing masterpiece.

The layout is fascinating and keeps you guessing throughout your round. The greens are tucked away in amphitheatres of heather and gorse asking for precise approaches.

Whilst the greens are small the fairways are predominantly wide and accommodate the wildest tee shots allowing approaches from all angles.

The 6th hole at Torphin Hill is regarded by the members as the toughest on offer and rightly so. The wind plays a huge factor on a course 830feet above sea level and at 503 yards into the wind, this par five will play as a three shotter for the big boys and more for the rest of us mere mortals!

The back nine starts with a tricky uphill par 3 measuring 190 yards from the whites and will certainly test your long iron or intermediate wood play. The course then drops away out the back via the 11thhole affording the privileged player spectacular views over the charming reservoir below. Views of the Firth of Forth bounce off the water making a perfect photo opportunity.

A short par 3 takes you closer to the fine view and then, cleverly making full use of the relatively small plot of land available on this corner of the course, the 13th bisects the 11th fairway to the green back up the hill. It’s features like this that make this little gem of a course so delightful.


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