Tour 18 in Houston is renowned for replicating holes from some of the greatest golf courses in America and putting them together on one course. This is a version of Tour 18 but for golf courses in Aberdeenshire. Picked by Golf Pros from around the region, where the choose their favorite hole in any course apart from their own. Read on and find some of the best golfing holes in the area
1
Chosen by Gary Forbes, PGA Professional at Murray Links Golf Club. With the tee shot running parallel to the River Clunie tight on the right, it’s a bit intimidating. Even after hitting the fairway, the second is to an elevated green 40 to 50 feet up. There is nothing but the green to stop the ball as everything falls off front, side and back to the slopes that drop below.
2
Chosen by Greg McBain, Head PGA Professional at Newmachar Golf Club. A fantastic par 4 that requires a great drive and an even better 2nd shot. One of the toughest in the North-East
3
Chosen by Lee Vannet, Professional Craibstone Golf Club. This is a classic Par 3. Beautifully designed with nowhere to miss, you just have to hit the green. From the back tee it anywhere from an 8 iron to a 3 iron depending on the conditions. It is guarded on the right by a natural mound with fabulous green side bunkers. If you tug your tee shot left, your ball will fall 30 feet down the gully and a difficult pitch lays ahead. Hit the green and walk off with a par.
4
Chosen by Greg Hutcheon, PGA Professional at Paul Laurie Golf Centre, Inchmarlo. The first hole I’d choose is the 12th at Banchory a great par 3 185 yards, heavily guarded in an alcove of trees, plus a sloping green with a burn running completely across the front of the green!
5
Chosen by Neil Marr, Head Golf Professional, Meldrum House Golf Club. The 2nd is a great hole with a lot of trouble down the left in the form of the Deveron river. I have taught many players from Duff House who fear this tee shot. I like the challenge of getting a ball on the fairway for the second shot as it makes the 2nd shot a bit easier than playing g it from a bailed out shot to the 15th fairway! The green itself is a typical Alistair MacKenzie raised green. Very difficult to rush and hit with a long second. Really challenging.
6
Chosen by Michele Thomson, Ladies European Tour Professional at Meldrum Golf Club. Testing hole, risk and reward, water front of green. Very tricky
7
Chosen by Andrew Hooper, PGA Professional at Newburgh-on-Ythan. The views from the elevated tee are spectacular and it’s an inviting drive. Longer hitters will have to be accurate as the fairway pinches in around the 250-yard mark. From a good drive, a long second shot will still be required to a semi-blind green protected by some nasty pot bunkers. A fall off area to the left of the green, and banks of thick grass await. The very long green has a steep fall into its narrow back portion, which makes a back-hole location particularly tough
8
Chosen by David Ross, Head Professional at Royal Aberdeen. A short hole by today’s standards but that does not detract. You are exposed to the wind and elements of the North-East, so make sure you don’t under club or your ball will likely meet a prickly end as it tries to reach the green which is over a large gully covered In gorse. A teeing area with views of the North Sea and Dunnottar Castle in the distance is situated next to where the original clubhouse was built. It requires the golfer to think carefully about club selection. The green is a small target surrounded by four bunkers but if a well struck shot gets there then a put for a birdie is often rewarded
9
Chosen by Jonas Hedburg, PGA Golf Operations Manager at Trump International. A fantastic links-style short par 3. The bunkers are an obvious hazard. However, the wind factor can play mind games. The previous 6 holes are played in the opposite direction, and into a prevailing westerly. Club and shot selection will test all your skills
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