“Tulloch” is the last of the par 5’s at Boat of Garten, one of James Braid’s creations in the Scottish highlands.
Far too often when golf facilities are highlighted from the Home of Golf in Scotland the focus invariably begins with those storied clubs that have hosted Open Championships such as St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry and this year’s host Royal Troon.
However, the array of engaging designs runs far, far deeper than those select few.
Nestled in the northern area of Scotland is Boat of Garten Golf & Tennis Club.
Initially the club started as a 9-hole layout from the handiwork of the noted player and architect James Braid. The expansion to the present 18-hole layout happened in 1930.
The golf course features a rear tee distance under 6,000 yards but the allure of the 13th rests on the totality of the shots encountered and the need to smartly execute them consistently.
The par-5 13th is notable because of the range of decisions that need to be made by the fullest range of players.
Michael Atkinson of ‘Golfland Scotland’ itemises the fascinating aspects drawing golfers to test themselves against this engaging hole.
“Tulloch” is the last of the par 5’s at Boat of Garten, one of James Braid’s creations in the Scottish highlands.
The hole requires three good shots to reach the green – hidden by the final dog-leg left stretch of the hole.
The set up off the tee focuses your eye on the trees lining the right-hand side of the fairway and the out-of-bounds. The rough at Boat of Garten can be severe - trees blocking shots, tree roots, heather, broom and deep grass - something to avoid at all costs.
You want to be middle to left off the tee, then you will find a wide-open fairway, plenty of undulations as with most of the fairways on the course.
The second shot is a precision lay-up to enable your final wedge left to the green. You need a good long second hit up and over the brow of the hill, the fairway narrowing towards this landing spot.
It’s then a short pitch to the firm green that sits to the left, protected by a very steep slope to the right, as well as bunkers. Too long, and you will roll off the back off the green into dense trees.
For those making the pilgrimage to Northern Scotland a round at Boat of Garten and the intersection with the 13th will be one long remembered.
For more info go to:
Boat of Garten Golf & Tennis Club (boatgolf.com)