Alyth Golf Course
An 18-hole (6,264 yd) heathland layout, Alyth Golf Club was established in1894. 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.
Alyth’s most demanding aspect however, might be it’s tranquil setting. Within the pines, silver birch and heather or overlooking the nearby hills, it is easy to lose yourself in the joys of a good game of golf with a layout so conceived that you barely notice other groups of golfers.
Hole 1 - Over the Brae
No.1 - Par 4
A slight dog-leg left, up and over the hill. If you miss the fairway and semi-rough, you've hit a wild tee shot. A large green awaits with borrows to start you thinking straight from the start.
398
366
323
Hole 2 - Ship Ahoy
No. 2 - Par 4
A straight drive is needed to avoid trees on both sides of the fairway and well placed bunkers both sides of the fairways. A blind shot over the hill to the green awaits and bunkers either side short of the green.
417
404
350
Hole 3 - The Teuchats’ Tryst
No. 3 - Par 3
An uphill par 3 to a large sloping green. If you under-club, a bunker awaits. Hit it left and a bigger bunker awaits. Or a wide left or right and you could be playing from under the trees. A great test of a par 3 to start the round.
169
162
146
Hole 4 - Horse Shoe
No.4 - Par 4
A straight forward drive, then over the hill to a horse-shoe green guarded by a right hand bunker. Miss the green left and its a blind pitch over a banking to an awkward green, where - on the wrong side of the ridge - a difficult putt awaits..
368
365
348
Hole 5 - The Brig
Par 4
Not a bunker in sight, but don`t cheer too loudly! This is the first of five holes with out-of-bounds to the right. The lateral ditch is being filled in (December 2024), however an angled ditch lies in wait. Lesser mortals play for the “island” and ‘airmail’ an iron to the plateau green.
358
334
268
Hole 6 - The Kirrie Road
Par 4
A sloping right to left fairway for this dog-leg right. Two bunkers await the drive that goes left or kicks down the hill. Dodge them and there’s a good line to the green. Say your prayers for an uphill putt.
392
378
364
Hole 7 - Birnie
Par 3
Shortest hole on the course with an elevated tee giving a full view of the green. Sounds easy - should be easy – BUT...... there are bunkers all along both sides of the green. A burn guards the approach, so take enough club.
130
122
107
Hole 8 - Heathery Muir
Par 4
Some may drive this green. It’s the shortest one on the course for the higher handicappers to hit in two despite three well positioned greenside bunkers. A small copse of trees on the right may trouble the ‘slicer’.
255
252
235
Hole 9 - The Balloch
Par 4
All straight from tee to green, but arguably the most difficult par four on the course. Trees and scrub line the left as well as down the right, plus out-of-bounds. Hidden hollow in front of the green with 2 bunkers if you're short left with your approach Be straight, be straight.
456
400
345
Hole 10 - Kinpurnie
Par 4
Turn for home with a blind drive to a fairway sloping left to right. The ‘slicer’ has the biggest worry. Bells are provided left and right to signal the all clear to drive to the people behind. A somewhat ‘evil’ bunker guards the green but, be assured, it’s of no great length.
436
421
366
Hole 11 - Loyal
Par 5
Back we go in the opposite direction. Most people would be happy (in some cases delirious) with two woods and an iron of sorts to the green. Two green-side bunkers are the main hazards, but beware a downhill putt when greens are slick.
504
486
402
Hole 12 - Pitcrocknie
Par 4
Slight dog-leg right and a respite for those who are not long hitters. Green well guarded by big bunkers. Beyond it, out-of-bounds, although this time trees and greenery help keep the overshoot in play.
308
300
275
Hole 13 - Tyke’s Shank
Par 4
Dog-leg left for a change and uphill to the green. If you flirt with the trees on the left, you have little or no chance of getting home in two. The green is well bunkered on both sides.
326
319
309
Hole 14 - The Birks
Par 3
Perhaps because of a slight dip before the green, not visible from the tee, visitors tend to under-club. Trouble lies short left and right of the green. An overshoot shouldn’t be badly punished. Go for it!
198
188
178
Hole 15 - The Steeple
Par 4
Not one fairway hazard for the drive no matter what the player’s handicap may be. However, the green has a smattering of bunkers and undulations can mean a tricky putt.
446
426
331
Hole 16- Windy Ridge
Par 5
Longest on the course and can seem endless in an east wind.
Bunkers - four in all - are easily discernible so shouldn’t catch the visitor unawares. Definitely a hole to give the fairway woods an airing.
545
535
448
Hole 17- The Cairn
Par 3
Depending on the weather, it could be everything you've got in the bag, Carry the centrally placed bunker and it’s a fair bet that the putter will be your next club. Another hole where the uphill putt is preferable.
202
182
172
Hole 18 - The Clubhouse
Par 4
A straight drive is really a must but you have to be lucky to miss the well placed bunkers. Go left or right and you kick into woods. The green, of course, is bunkered but is really HUGE. A bad overshoot might mean an early call to the 19th hole.
This hole was previously named "The Clubhouse". In 2006, to mark the achievement of Kevin McAlpine winning the Scottish Amateur Championship, the hole was named after him. In 2007 Kevin went on to win the Scottish Stroke-play Championship. A unique double!