Cabot Highlands / Castle Stuart
“Hope and redemption” this is my text for this blog and the key line to their thoughtful guide to Castle Stuart. Ordinarily if you ask me what the philosophy of a particular course is I would send you off to pseuds corner. It’s relevant here is that the course was recently acquired by the Cabot group, who own a further five courses in Canada, USA, St Lucia as well as Castle Stuart but known as Cabot Highlands. They are completing a second Inverness course in the next 12 months.
Cabot produce high end golf courses and resorts to cater for the boutique end of the market. And if this market expands we are likely to see more from Cabot. Fortunately they are wedded to links golf and being new builds they cater for the extra distance required nowadays. Here the extra length is not distorting. Often new courses are made unnecessarily wide to accommodate the extra length. But whilst you would not describe this as a tight course the design of the fairways means that the most advantageous route is actually quite tight along a split fairway. A reasonable miss is going to ask questions rather than demand a prodigiously difficult answer. If you miss altogether then the penalties are wounding but not life-threatening.
I played to, or just above, my handicap which was satisfying but also gives a better account of the course. The design plays in two loops of nine from a starter hut that doubles as a halfway house. It is well stocked and well staffed.
The first three holes run west above and alongside the Firth. Turn to the top of your swing and don’t send your opening shot right. The most interesting of these holes is the third a short par four down to a headland. If you are slightly out of position here it asks for creativity and acceptance of the challenge. There is always hope, occasionally redemption but glory is given to few. The fourth, a par three, showcases Castle Stuart itself as you climb uphill. I found the seventh and ninth the most interesting holes heading for the turn. The ninth has a raised green protected by a shaggy haired bunker. And a strong drive pulls you into a direct line over it. Keep the difficulties in view says the designer and learn how to face them.
Whilst the career hookers of the ball were chortling at the slices over the first three holes the question is turned about on the 10th. A par four, three and five take you east along the shore and facing an opposing wind to that which you started. It is a really good string of holes. Then gather yourself for the steep climb up to the 13th A sharp dogleg right. You are now atop the course. 16 to 18 follow the same formula as 10 to 12; a par 4, 3 and then 5 to close. The first is a short hole where the best line is definitely not from the longest drive. 17th is a long downhill part three into the wind and then there is a finishing par 5. The 18th has perhaps one of the narrower fairways but the rough is open and scrubby so you are encouraged to go for it. The perfect shot hits the shute and gives hope of a birdie whilst those missing the shute may only find redemption in a par.
We were very well looked after in the bar and restaurant and received a discounted green fee enabling us to make a donation to Alzheimer’s Society. Thank you for an excellent day. We look forward to playing the new course.
