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Carrick, Scotland |
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The Carrick
Cameron House
Loch Lomond
Dunbartonshire
G83 8QZ
Scotland |  | Doug Carrick |  | Ross Whitfield |
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 | +44 (0) 1389 713655 |  | Off the A82, just N of the Arden roundabout |
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Golf Club Website
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De Vere are not short of championship courses in England – Carden Park and Slaley Hall both boast very fine 18-hole layouts. However, the hotel group have raised their UK bar of golfing excellence with the opening of their flagship course in Scotland.
The Carrick is the latest golfing facility to be added to the De Vere Deluxe Resort at Cameron House, Loch Lomond. Their “Wee Demon” 9-hole layout has been a fun course to play for many years but its local fame has now been eclipsed by the arrival in the summer of 2007 of the championship standard Carrick course.
The name of golf course architect Doug Carrick may be largely unheard of outside his native Canada – where he has designed and remodelled over fifty courses such as King Valley, Angus Glen, Cobble Beach and Eagles Nest – but De Vere not only had the good sense to commission him to design his first UK course at Loch Lomond, they decided to name it after him too!
The location of the Carrick is unique as the front nine holes are played over relatively flat, open land at the boundary of the Lowlands in Scotland and the back nine are routed over higher ground in the Scottish Highlands before returning to the clubhouse by the loch side.
The course has a somewhat North American feel to it on three of the opening four holes where water runs down the length of these fairways. Two of the next four holes are testing par fives – the latter has no fewer than 15 bunkers along its length – before the 9th hole rises back to the clubhouse to complete the outward half.
The surprising and delightful elevation change continues at the appropriately named “High Road” 10th hole with some marvellous views of Loch Lomond to the east and Ben Lomond to the north. There is an even better photo opportunity of the loch to be had from the elevated tee 60 feet above the signature hole on the card, the 199-yard, par three, 14th called “Tappet Doon” on the most northerly point of the property.
Back down to ground level again, the next three holes run along the water’s edge, though it never comes into play. Four holiday apartments overlook the loch to the right of the 15th fairway and the magnificent Colquhoun Mansion House apartments are situated to the right of the 16th green. The 422-yard “Carrick Hame” closing hole doglegs right to the clubhouse where a refreshing glass of something cold and wet awaits in the Claret Jug bar. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | As a member I rate this course highly in terms of design, challenge and condition. It has improved a lot since I joined 18 months ago and does not appear so overplayed as it was. The staff are friendly, as the other members are and the facilities excellent. The main downside is the slow play which I think is a problem at most courses now, so nothing to do with the course or the club! It is worsened by the number of 4 balls palying and the fact that they all seem to think they are playing in the Masters. Taking 10 minutes on the green to miss putts for a 7 is not really what the game is about. I do rate the course highly though but would enjoy a 3.5 hour round instead of 4.5 or 5 hours! |
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| 19 April 2013
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| The Carrick’s come in for some recent criticism regarding underfoot conditions on the course and there’s no doubt that the club still has some way to go before it resolves all outstanding drainage issues. Sorting out the soggy fairways will take some time but the damp conditions certainly didn’t appear to deter the large numbers from playing here when  I revisited the Carrick a couple of days ago. Perhaps the members are prepared to put up with less than perfect tee to green conditioning when they know they are putting on eighteen fantastic USGA-standard greens (that were in absolutely tip-top shape when I played) or maybe they´re just willing to give the maintenance team the chance to implement a raft of improvement proposals? I was also very pleased to see that all bunkers on the course have undergone an extensive makeover, with aesthetically pleasing grass banks now covering the ugly old faces of the old sand traps. It’s obvious that a lot of recent work has gone in to upgrade the infrastructure at the Carrick but the course is still very much a work in progress. Having opened only a few years ago in a blaze of local golfing publicity, it’s now settling into the harsh reality of normal operations and it’ll take a little more time and effort to get things right, especially on a site that seems to endure more than its fair share of inclement weather. Once current course improvement programs are completed, there’s a fair chance the Carrick will be able to fulfil its true potential. Jim McCann |
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| 09 October 2012
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| | I have now played this course 5 times over last 3 years and have to say ive always enjoyed the rounds. Its seems to be a course that bring out very different reactions from those that play it. Having played 25 courses in top 100 I personally think it should be rated higher. Ive no doubt as it ages and beds in as a course it will slowly rise up the list. It has a strong start with plenty of water in play not unlike a lot of european courses. These opening holes could be a score card wrecker. There are not many if any weak holes and the scenery especially from the 10th green is stunning. Again a strong finish with the last 3 holes bringing water into play. |
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| 08 July 2012
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| | I am amazed that this golf course is this low down on the ranking list. It is easily in the top 5 best inland courses in Scotland. Only Gleneagles, Loch Lomond & Spey Valley could be argued as a better inland course.
The facilities are also superb!!
As shown by recent comments the condition of the course has improved a lot this year with much better drainage.
I call on Mr McCann and fellow colleagues to review this course because it doesn't make any sense that Boat of Garten is 21 places better than the Carrick. |
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| 01 July 2012
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| Response: | | | Hugh | 01 July 2012 | | It's always nice to read an unbiased review from a member and refreshing that the member didn't rate the course 6 balls! | | | Niall | 01 July 2012 | | I’d say the Rosemount is clearly a better inland Scottish course, as is the Duke’s at St Andrews, Ladybank and Downfield. I’d rather play The Boat once a year than the Carrick every month, but it’s all about opinion. | | | PGS | 06 September 2012 | | I agree the Dukes is now a fabulous course....but how much money has been thrown at it since it opened to get it in the condition it is in today - I played it a few years after it opened and it was a bog - the Carrick do not have that kind of cash just now but have a great green keeper who is getting on with it - The West Coast also does not have the drier and milder east coast winters either - if you could turn the clock back and look at other course that I agree are also great, what do you think they would have been like after their first 5 years after completuion, 2 of which were the coldest we have had and now the wettest summer and with about 180 people playing most days? - I played the course yesterday and it was in great condition considering all the rain this summer. Also it is funny how some people view things - played a local Glasgow course which is over 100 years old which had the memeber applogizing every hole for how wet it was, the small lakes, the terrible greens and in the worse condition he had ever seen in 50 years (his words not mine)and then he says "I hear the Carrick is wet" hmmmmmm |
| | | I have been playing this course now since 2007 and the round I played last night confirmed that all the drainage work, the new bunkering and the introduction on a new green keeper has transformed the course and it is currently in amazing condition. For those that find the course wet in the winter it should be pointed out that the water board keep Loch Lomond water levels very high to avoid a drought in the summer and if it rains lots the water cannot go anywhere and stays on the course - if it is a normal winter the course plays well - remember it is a new parkland course so don't expect it to be The Old Course but it is getting better all the time and there do not seem to be so many slow players anymore either - maybe all the negative comments have put them off and only better players are going down and replacing divots and repairing their pitch marks as this has improved a heck of a lot as well - if you have not been down for a while you will not beleive how much better it is! Remember to enjoy the views as well which are pretty hard to beat! |
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| 21 June 2012
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| Response: | | | Jim Brown | 26 June 2012 | Hi Thank you for your kind review of The Carrick and comments regarding the work undertaken during the past 12 – 18 months. Having now been involved directly with The Carrick for four months now, it is very much appreciated when people take the time to write reviews whether positive or with a constructive appraisal.
We have invested a huge amount of resources, effort and experience into the fine turf surfaces during this spring/summer, and whilst it was frustrating during the cold spring start, we are now starting to witness the fruits of our labour. With an early focus and completion of the on course projects and the completion of the bunker re-furbishment, our time has very much been spent on improving Greens, Tee’s & fairways, both quality and presentation – all of which has come to life in the last six weeks.
At five years old, The Carrick is still young (in golf course terms), and with the historical drainage issues, the golf course has struggled to produce good surfaces during prolonged poor weather. The recent drainage improvements you comment on are dealing magnificently with the west coast weather, and whilst we still have much to do, the golf course has a much improved ability to deal with heavy rainfall, no better witnessed than after this last weekend’s deluge. As suggested, we are planning on installing more drainage to the golf course. Whilst the recent drainage improvements were quite aggressive, the new drainage improvements will be much less so; these introduced into semi-roughs and in place to cut water run off at the source. As witnessed on many high profile TV tournament golf courses, we may never be able to deal with torrential heavy rainfall, but we can improve the golf course’s ability to recover quickly – it is this recovery we are committed to improving.
I am personally delighted with the way The Carrick Golf Course and the team at the Carrick have responded during the past four months, and we very much look forward to delivering on our commitments; that of delivering the best possible experience for our members and visitors, and of course producing another outstanding golf course in this wonderful part of the world (with spectacular views). Recent positive feedback from our members, golf societies and of course your kind words are always welcome, and I would like to thank you for endorsing my own thoughts in that, we are very much on the right path – Thank you. Kind Regards Jim Brown Golf Course Manager The Carrick on Loch Lomond |
| | | At the moment the carrick is Let down by poor greens and inadequate drainage. It is always busy and as a result is tortuously slow (4 hrs 20mins minimum). The whole course show signs of being overplayed and the greens really seem to struggle due to this.
A course that is extremely tough and if you get anywhere near your handicap your doing well. My playing partners and I always find it plays 5 or 6 shots harder.
IF (and its a big IF) they could get this course in shape it would be spectacular. Tremendous scenery and setting with a number of great holes, notably 4,5,10,13,15 and 17.
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| 29 March 2012
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| | First person I saw on pulling into the car park was a former captain of Scotland (from the days when Scotland had a football team that actually qualified for World Cups). That may have been the highlight of my day at the Carrick. Firstly the plus points : after a dull start holes 4,7 and 8 were the best of the front 9; 10,13 and, especially, the par 5 16th were my favourite holes on the way back. The view over Loch Lomond while waiting for the four groups backed up on the 14th tee was quite magnificent. On the downside, the condition of the course left a lot to be desired - scruffy in many places and a set of bumpy greens that rendered good putting virtually impossible. Our group of competent golfers had a large number of three-putts. On top of that this was almost certainly the slowest of the thousands of rounds of golf I have ever played. Four and three quarter hours is just not acceptable.
Once again I came away disappointed from one of these high-profile modern developments which have sprung up in Scotland in the past twenty years. The Carrick has pretensions but it ain't got no soul. |
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| 19 August 2011
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| | So many things about The Carrick should make it a good course but the negatives are too numerous to mention all, and that is why I was astonished to see it in the top 100. For starters the views are magnificent from some parts of the course and whilst not quite as good as Loch Lomond they give provide a great backdrop. The course as I see it has two vastly different nines. The front nine is technically the better nine holes. The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th holes are actually pretty good and whilst the views aren’t quite as good as they are on the back nine they are still pretty nice. However the back nine has great scenery on almost every hole - pity the holes themselves are among the most dire and thoughtless holes you'll ever play. Maybe exempt the 13th & 16th from that last comment but the other holes are merely vehicles for spectacular scenery. They are completely boring and uninteresting. I can only attest to having played the course about 5/6 times over the last two years but it has NEVER been in acceptable condition. I understand that they have spent a huge amount on the course and it is through no lack of effort that the course is still a quagmire. Almost every divot you take there is evidence of the amount of thatch present which will take years to eradicate. The only thing worse than the price tag for playing here is the service you receive in the clubhouse. Please let me be clear that the pro-shop staff are friendly and accommodating. Its the restaurant and bar staff who need basic training in service. It is marketed as 5 star but the service is appalling. I hope they get things turned around because it has potential but until someone sorts out the back nine , the condition of the course and most of all the clueless staff – I wouldn't be back. |
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| 20 May 2011
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| Response: | | | John Weir | 09 June 2011 | | Agreed, played it in April, it was in terrible condition, wrote a letter of complaint with no reply. 1st hole, waiting in the fairway to play my appraoch, the ground staff drive up and dump sand on the green, we have to wait for them to rake it in, disgraceful. |
| | | Played The Carrick 23/9/10 and despite torrential rain overnight the course was open first thing the next morning for play. The greens were in great condition running fast and true which says a lot but the fairways had standing water all over the place. I had been looking forward to playing the course for a long time and I was left a little bit cold by the experience. The course had some stunning holes in the "highland" section but the majority of the holes felt quite bland, only saved by the stunning views all around the course. The carrick seems to be trying to compete with the other high end resorts in Scotland (Gleneagles, Turnberry etc) and while the facillities do the course is nowhere near the standard required. Maybe given time it will mature and had I played it in better condition I might be saying something different but when the course is in such poor condition it should be closed and the would probably avoid some of this bad press! |
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| 26 September 2010
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| Response: | | | Sid | 28 September 2010 | | 60 mil of rain fell the night before and it had been very wet that week!! We played in the Charity day on the 23rd but by 12:30 when we teed off we could not beleive how good the course was - not one of us had to take a perferred lie due to standing water - compared to last year before the drainage had been done the place would have been a bog - on the 23rd the fairways were rock hard despite the very heavy rain. I really wonder why some people complain when everyone of the 30 teams that played commented to the organisers on how good the course was and they cannot wait to hold the day there again - there was so much water the night before the course closed at 4 in the afternoon and the driveway had 2 feet of water standing on the tarmac!! really makes me wonder......hmmmmmm...do the negitive posters hack it all over the place and lose a few balls and therefore not like it.....it seems the better golfers seem to apprecitate the layout a lot more - also how can you compare a course that is 3 years old to one that has been there for over a 100 years? | | | Alan | 28 September 2010 | | I did mention the rain and how I was amazed that the greens were playing great but if the course was dry at 12.30 then something strange happened because at 12.15 when I played the 18th there were puddles all over the fairway and no matter where you walked there was water coming up from the ground. I forgot to mention that 70% of the bunkers were unplayable not due to puddles but due to work being carried out and the few that were in play were again virtually unplayable due to a lack of sand! I wasn't informed of this when I booked. I didnt give the course an average review because I lost a few balls, I gave it an average review because I felt that was all it was worth. When the club takes your money the course has to be playable and it was only just. I mentioned the other courses because Devere are marketing The Carrick as a championship course and the competition close by is far too strong. | | | Sid | 29 September 2010 | | All the bunkers were out of play that day for the Duke of Edinburgh Charity day although the bunkers that have been rebuilt would have been ok - the bunkers that have no sand in them are not being maintained as they are to be rebuilt soon and that is why there is a blue stake in them - half of the 120 bunkers are now rebuilt and the rest should be finished over the winter. I don't suppose you have been to the Old Course when they rebuild bunkers and you cannot play some - would you ask for your money back?.....come on. We were delighted to get out that day as most other courses would have been closed - suppose you have to be a glass half full person - seems some people that come on here just like to see every negative - did you play Loch Lomond this spring and summer??? I think not as it was closed - we had the same problems they had with snow and ice and almost lost half the greens. Does that make Loch Lomond a 3 star in your view?? I am sure if you found it that bad and called to see if you could go back on a nice warm dry day you would get a good deal and you could see it in a differnt light - mind you the poster who played on the 1st August 2010 when the course was immaculate still found something to moan about... but that's life | | | Alan | 05 October 2010 | | Any review is going to be subjective, I have my opinion and you have your own. As I said some stunning holes but for me there werent enough to balance out the negatives. |
| | | I'm genuinely not sure some pf the posters played this course? Fairways have some sand lines to add drainage (which will grow over soon enough), but the turf in between was very lush. A treat after playing in the scorched South East recently.
We played from the tips and this course was a beast. Views are astonishing (save one weak par 3 at the start).
Greens were excellent - although a touch immature at 3 years old, so may take a while to get to really top, top standard.
But still a fantastic test of golf and had my 4 ball (all well travelled, low single figure players) impressed all the way round.
Super clubhouse and service. I would go back in a shot and intend to do so one day.
- i think hitting the odd stone is one of the dangers of having nice golf clubs. Bit like scratching a new car. Painful but unavoidable. Don't think any facility can completely banish stones from the ground. It's where they tend to live. |
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| 14 August 2010
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| Response: | | | Ben | 20 September 2010 | | Have played this course 3 times in the last month. If you can walk away from the 3rd and 4th with a relatively unmarked scorecard then the golf course is a fair but good test for golfers of all levels. The positioning of some of the bukers through-out the course really make you think about club selection and some of the views over Loch Lomond and up to the highlands are absolutely stunning. I have noticed some comments about the greens, but they are among the best I have played on in Scotland this year and rival some of the better courses from Portugal having not long returned for a golf holiday there. There is still a bit of work on 2/3 holes with the fairways currently under repair but that didn't affect any of the greens. The setup at the Carrick with the changing rooms and bar area are excellenet albeit a little pricey for food and drink. My only negative comment is along the lines of the corporate golf day situation as we were stuck behind a group that were fairly hacking their way round the course and it irritates when you see large divets that haven't been replaced, but apart from this a truly excellent course. |
| | | I Played this course last Sunday 01-08-2010.
The greens was in terrible condition on one hole I had to repair 12 pitch marks and almost every hole I needed to repair a pitch mark before I could even go for a putt and on 1 occasion I repaired 4 pitch marks as they was on my line of putt. I am aware the course will have a lot of visitors playing but I still do not believe this excuses the condition of play as a lot of the pitch marks was not new. That is also the first time I have played on a private course and not seen one green keeper in my whole play.
Adding to this you have a lot of fairways in bad condition which I can see your in the process of repairing. Which again added to the lack of great course enjoyment.
But what I am very unhappy about and felt I had to write and make a complaint about was the state of my pitching wedge after taking a shot on the 9th hole from the fairway.My club now has 2 chip marks in my club which make the club look dreadful. I had these clubs custom fitted about a year and bit ago and they cost me alot of money.
I wrote a email to Jonny Sharp the guy in charge and still have not recieved a response back which I think is terrible considering this is meant to be a top 100 golf course.
Please think before you waste the money
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| 07 August 2010
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| Response: | | | Sid | 09 August 2010 | | I played it on the 1st August 2010 as well - you sure you went to The Carrick? The course was in fantastic condition that day!! - maybe that was down to you repairing the whole course for our afternoon game! - 9th hole disaster? Maybe you should try hitting the fairway and not the path beside the Ladies tee - move your ball onto the grass next time - the 9th fairway is mega lush - how many of you have seen tons of Green Keepers on a course on a Sunday? Most are off then. This is NOT a private course - it is a resort course owned by De Vere!! Funny I played Turnberry recently and had to repair lots of pitch marks and the greens were not that great - get use to it if you play a course that has lots of corp golf!! | | | Andy | 16 August 2010 | | I played the course this weekend with a party of 8 people. The course was in fabulous condition. The greens do have a lot of pitch marks which i had no problem in repairing when i saw them. That is a hazard of playing corporate type golf courses as they have their fair share of irregular players who have little idea about course management. Some fairways have had drainage work carried out, but are deemed ground under repair with a free placing of the ball allowed, so no bad lies are played. You have to remember this a very young course, but is already the finest course De Vere have. On sunday we played in a 4 man team event, which they hold every few months at a cost of £50 per person with breakfast before and a meal afterwards, plus prizes. You can not beat a course of this quality for that sort of money. I would have no hesitation in reccomending this course to anyone with a passion for the game. The views from the highland section of the course are breathtaking. Enjoy |
| | | I enjoyed the Carrick much more than I though I would having read the reviews here. I was on a corporate outing there and have to say I had a first class day. The place is completely set up for arriving there mid morning, having a light lunch, a practise, then your round, then getting showered and refreshed in top class facilities before a nice dinner and a few refreshments. On that front you would have to award the Carrick top marks. The pro shop staff were also excellent. The course is a slightly different matter. First of all Ill get the condition out of the way. It was pretty poor for mid May. Three fairways had been completely lost and indeed the par 5 5th was now a par 3 with a makeshift tee about 100yards from the green. I dont know how long this will take to repair but I cant imagine it will be anytime soon. The greens were very bumpy and it did dawn on me that non-links golf in May can be a hit or miss experience. The actual course archtecture however was superb. I really did enjoy the layout of pretty much every hole, with many of them being a complete visual treat. The sun came out for the back 9 and the last 5 holes were as good as any inland stretch that I have played. Its a pity that the condition wasnt too great but I dont really blame the management for this - I just think they are dealing with a pretty challenging climate for optimum course presentation. |
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| 17 May 2010
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| Response: | | | Sid | 28 July 2010 | | You need to get back out and see the course now that the drainage work has been completed on the holes that were being worked on in May - far from being out of action all summer the contractors did the max effort with a minimum of distrubance. The recent heavy rain has not effected the completed holes - 4 more to do and it will be able to handle the down pours better - the greens this year after almost being lost due to the ice are now the best they have ever been thanks to the brilliant work of the green staff. That same staff are now rebuilding the bunkers and are doing a great job. |
| | | Played this course tail end of last year,October 2009.The greens were so heavily sanded that they were virtually unplayable.We had to play off the medal tees normally a bonus on any course but with the fenced off areas water clogged fairways and the sanded greens did not make for a good day.How this course makes it in to the top 100 in Scotland defies belief.May be for the views at one par three.The only + was the STAFF are very professiosnal and friendly.Would not reccomend to any golfer many a council course out there far bettercondition.They really need to do a lot of work on the course drainage.In summary if on holiday in Scotland there are loads of other courses far better than this to play. |
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| 25 January 2010
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| Response: | | | Ross Whitfield | 12 May 2010 | | We have embarked on a series of improvements to the golf course over the winter months. This has included investment in developing our drainage and irrigation systems. We have also a complete bunker redevelopment plan in place to further enhance the aesthetic appeal and playability of one of the many key features of the golf course. Each initiative will enhance the courses quality in key playing months. Needless to say the poor weather conditions have hampered the speed at which progress has been made, but we are starting to see signs as to where the course will be in the coming weeks and months and we are all gearing up for a strong season. Ross Whitfield, Director of Golf & Estates, Cameron House Resort, Loch Lomond |
| | | Reasonable layout with a couple of good holes e.g. 8, 14, 18. The rest of the holes are pretty boring though, but at least you've the view to make up for the lack of excitement.
Although the course is pretty easy it does have some potential but the conditions when I played were atrocious with the greens being the slowest and bumpiest I've played on in over 5 years and fairways were uncut with black water seeping out of a lot of fairways. Tip: Avoid wearing white shoes! |
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| 10 November 2009
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| Response: | | | JackRab | 12 November 2009 | | Nov 10th comment, "Although the course is pretty easy" did u actually play the course or did u dream u were playing it and in that dream you were Tiger Woods? Guess you must of teed up off of those monster ladies tees and by the way the 14th is not a good golf hole its one for the hackers to enjoy a view every other hole is pure quality |
| | | The Carrick is definitely for corporate golf and going on the size of the greens, most of which are massive, and the space around the course, will undoubtedly one day hold a PGA tour event.The course was in average condition and was extremely wet with large puddles on the fairways bordering on it being close to un playable. However the geens were very very good and there was no standing water on any of them. The design is good as is the bunkering and some of the views stunnin, especially from the 15th tee. The back 9 is beautiful both in construction and vista. I agree with other reviewers that there are parts of the course that are ragged and care needs to be taken with the golf management to allow the course to develop. The part of the course that I hated were holes 2 and 3. These are a par 3 and a par 4 that circumnavigate a man made pond. They are poor and the area around them was scruffy to say the least. There has been no effort to hide the driving range with new trees and the large green net completely spoils the view. The holes appear to be crammed in on poor land compared to the rest of the course which is superb. Care must be taken if this course is to mature correctly. It is certainly not worth the £125 green fee asked for at this moment in time. |
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| 16 August 2009
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| | This is possibly the closest that I will ever get to playing at Loch Lomond ( I have walked the course but never played it) and albeit not in the same class, The Carrick is nevertheless, a fine and engaging track although, I have to admit to being a bit uneasy with the relationship which exists between De Vere and the corporate boys who, for me, take precedence over Ordinary Joe golfers. This, in the bigger scheme of things is a small gripe which is soon forgotten when you immerse yourself in the show stopping scenery. Words are inadequate to describe it. A slightly bland opening gives way to fine driving holes at 3 and 4 which, along with the superb 8th are the pick of the front 9, the 10th and holes 13-17 being the best of the inward half with the dog-legged 18th bringing you home to the sumptuous clubhouse. In spite of my reservations The Carrick is a fine and very enjoyable day out with great greens, brilliant bunkering and many stimulating holes and although not as majestic as it’s next door neighbour, it fully deserves it’s inclusion in the new Tartan Top 100. MPPJ |
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| 24 July 2009
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| Two years - almost to the day - after first playing here I returned to see how the course was shaping up and I have to say my initial thoughts of this place becoming a corporate magnet were immediately realized as I steered my battered old Astra into the car park to find every other space primed with a Porsche as - yes you’ve guessed it - the luxury car manufacturer was holding a golf day for Glaswegian owners of the German gas guzzlers. How appropriate to hold their get together here.
 But enough of the off course envy. The course itself was a wee bit frayed in places (especially around some tee boxes areas that obviously take a lot of traffic) despite the plethora of grounds keeping staff out on their sit on grass cutters at four in the afternoon – memo to course superintendent: maintenance men who get out on the course early before anyone is playing always seem to get the job done much more unobtrusively. In fairness, the USGA spec putting surfaces ran really well, despite the heavy rain that had fallen the day before, so the green keepers had obviously gone about their business properly in that important department.
One of my playing partners commented on the excellent positioning of all the bunkers throughout the course and I would agree with that assertion; I just cannot take to the “caked mud” frontage on these traps which look as though they have been created by Pictish tribesmen patting damp earth against raised mounding behind pits of sand – sorry, but that’s how they look to me and most of these hazard facings have now developed cracks after two years out in the Scottish weather!
Our 4-ball forgot to mention the goody bag we were entitled to (when using a special tee time arranged through a golf magazine) until after we finished the round so one of the shop staff scurried off to get the very nice presentation set for us – pity we hadn’t asked earlier as the courtesy stroke saver booklet might have come handy over the preceding four and a half hours! If it’s chic, up-market, designer golf you’re after in the Glasgow area then look no further than here. If, however, you want your golf a little bit more traditional then you’ll have to, like me, go elsewhere. Jim McCann |
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| 16 June 2009
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| Response: | | | Sid | 12 August 2010 | | Your influence is so great that the bunkers are all now being redone so they look better just for you!! - The bunkers were actually built as proper revetted bunkers (the ones you like at the seaside!) but the story goes DC made the green staff shave the faces off to make them smooth as he did not like the layered look!! Wierd! |
| | I had the feeling early on that I was not going to like the Carrick as I’d played three off the first tee (into a bunker) then lost two balls in the water at the next three holes. Not that my feelings for the course at that point were based on my poor performance; more that the penalties for wayward shots were so severe - as is ever the case where water is in play, of course!  Thankfully – apart from small ponds at the 16th and 18th – water was never in play again and I settled in to really enjoy the remainder of the front nine, culminating in the tough, uphill, par four 9th hole. It was then that the Carrick really got me excited as I was totally unprepared for the changes in elevation over the next five holes. The 10th is a cracker, facing up to the highest point on the course towards Ben Lomond and the 13th is another great hole where the approach is played blind to a green framed by trees. But the short 14th beside Loch Lomond is the one that takes the breath away and is surely a contender for inclusion in future polls for best 18-holes in Scottish golf. The last four holes down by the loch are almost - but not really - an anticlimax after the stunning par three played midway on the back nine! Overall, tees were in immaculate condition, fairways were remarkably good despite their newness and putting surfaces – most of them enormous – were a little on the slow side though very true. My only concern was the revetted faces of many bunkers which looked a little bare to me but maybe that’s the look that Mr Carrick was after. The course had just been opened the week before and there was still work going on around the place but nothing to really put you off your game. Staff around the clubhouse and out on the course were very attentive and completely focused on making your golfing experience an enjoyable one. The locker room was quite exceptional and the very modern, chic clubhouse next door seems more than capable of satisfying new members and pay-and-play guests alike – I can see that this place will appeal to corporate golf day businessmen as well as the more discerning golfer in the greater Glasgow area. Jim McCann |
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| 12 June 2007
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| Response: | | | Andrew | 20 October 2007 | | this cource was great and I? agree it has a very modern clubhouse and the 14th is 1 of the greatest holes in scottish golf.I disagree with the greens being slow I feel they were fairly fast. The guy working in the changing rooms was helpful and good to have a chat with.
On the first tee Everything was fine and the starter was great. In the clubhouse it wouldn't be unfair to say food wasn't cheap but it was quality catering. This will be a top 5 course in Scotland once it's fully matured. 5 star | | | Steve | 06 November 2007 | | This course is quite simply stunning. Great scenery and brilliant holes - just when you think that it can’t get any better you are presented with another fantastic hole. The bunkering from the back tee is superb, making you think about the positioning of your tee shot on every hole. The only hole without bunkers is the 4th (probably the best hole that I have played in my life) because it doesn’t need them! Lake all down the left side to the green, trees all down the right side - narrow fairway. Stunning visually and incredible to play. There is not a bad hole on this course - there isn’t even an indifferent one- they are all good or brilliant! Course is still very young but condition is still good. Greens are very large, fast and true, tees are flat and good, fairways are a little sandy and thin in places but I am sure this is down to the age of the course. Bunkers all have rivetted faces, which mean that your not hitting it very far if you get in a fairway bunker. I will be amazed if this course is not classified in the top 100 within the next few years. | | | Paul Proudlock | 05 May 2008 | | Played the course just the week after the Ladies open last year, the course was in good condition and was playing fairly long.after and indiferent opening 2 holes I started to enjoy the course playing my best golf of the year.The layout is stunning with positioning your main priority throughout your round.Staff very helpful, club house superb.AS THEY WERE SANDING THE FAIRWAYS ON THE BACK NINE DURING OUR ROUND WE WERE EVEN OFFERED THE CHANCE TO COME BACK AND PLAY ANOTHER ROUND.WHAT A TREAT! | | | gordon m | 03 August 2009 | | Fantastic layout.Condition poor.They will need to spend money on some basics or it's going to deteriorate rather than mature. |
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