mcleanscotland  are local Scots who pride ourselves on showing you the nooks & crannies other tours companies pass on by.   We can show you those hidden gems even Scots do not know!  mcleanscotland of Perth tour company for vacations to Scotland here are our guides all Scottish for your satisfaction.  mcleanscotland and the Maclean gathering tour golfing with Brian from New York state

 

These were taken by Paul at the Dragons Tooth Course Ballchulish.

The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course by Brian Wickes.

It was June 2007, the weather was great, the scenery fantastic at the Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course. I had the pleasure of golfing this relatively new 9 hole course by Scotland’s standards.  I didn’t know what to expect in Scotland’s home of Golf. Well let me give you a few hole by hole descriptions.  Lets start at the beginning… the 1st hole, a very nice slightly up hill par 4 fairly unassuming fairway tree out about 200 yds. just on the left side of fairway with a slightly elevated green. This was a great hole to start your day and I was thinking this isn’t that hard.

Now for the 2nd hole an interesting 185 yds par 3 with a very slight dog leg to the right.  The green is on the wee side framed by mature trees at the approach about 170 yds. from the tee.  This is where it started to get interesting. I found the rough.  There is a reason why the Scots name it “the rough”. I have a new respect for what the rough really is. I was out in two and on the green. Well, I thought this still isn’t that bad so on to three we went. 

Three was a challenging par 4 with a slight 30 ft drop off at the final 50 yds to the green. This is where we got our first taste with what the Scots call “pot bunkers”. They have quite a sense of humor where they locate them, too.  I was the lucky one and watched my golfing partner (a native Scotsman with an 11 handicap) try to get out of one.  Can’t remember how many strokes it took but, lets just say I won that hole which is hard to do with my laughing so hard at his antics.  This was pretty much the way things went for the next few holes. I will say it was hard to concentrate with absolutely incredible views in every direction.  I was just enjoying the experience of the day on a course that was in near perfect condition. 

Now for the 8th hole which must have special mention. It’s a par 5, 474 yds down hill. Sounds normal right, well when you throw in at 425 yds a 90+ degree dog leg to the right behind mature trees and you can’t see that the green is protected by those dreaded bunkers not just one on both sides but across the whole front!  To make matters worse on the backside a twenty foot drop to a stream.  Are we starting to see the humor yet?  On the ninth a 198 yds par 3, at 40 yds from the tees a 15 yds opening framed by mature trees.  This is what wrapped up the game. 

Overall this is a great course, exciting, challenging and in great shape. The views are outstanding and I would go out of my way to play The Dragon’s Tooth again. I would recommend anyone of any ability to play this course. Leave your driver in the bag and enjoy this course for what it is.

 

The same Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course by Paul McLean.

It was June 2007, the weather was great, was I really interested in golf?  NO, not really, but I thought it might while away a wee bit of time and, I needed a break just to sit down and relax somewhere on my own for a while.  I was thinking of the clubhouse and the bar!  Well, Brian, wee man and myself went doon to the course, the lads got themselves ready with bats and balls etc and set out for tee one. Thought I may as well join them as it was a nice day, also thinking of taking a few photos.  As anyone who browses our website regularly knows, I always carry a camera and shoot away like a maniac at times, this was to be no different.  Until, the midgies found me!  Was I wearing my kilt still? aye, it was not nice.  AFTER TWO HOLES I high tailed it to my designated lookout and view point, the bar in the clubhouse.  Now that's more like it. It was crowded - me and the nice coleen (good looking girl) behind the bar.  A chat ensued, as per usual, and we had a drink while waiting for the two numpty's to come into sight.  Some time later they appeared for a brief spell at the far end of the course by the road.  Och well methinks, better go and say hello and snap 'em again.  So I did.  Walked away to the next hole and the dreaded midgies found me again.  Anyone who saw my knees (midgies did get other places, but this is a family website) around this time could see what they were doin' to me.  That's why I HAD to go out with the Hungarian girls from the hotel that night. They promised to soothe my legs.  Hmmm ... interesting thoughts ran through me heed.  Ended up at the pub later on with a few beers and a chat with the lovelies, who by now had grown to three. Needless to say my legs were soothed.  Did I therefore enjoy the Dragon's Tooth? What do you think?

 

Below; Brian at the golf, this time with Dennis, this was on Mull, at Craignure course. Top pic, shake hands guys before you batter hell out of those balls. Below left, Brain ended up in a ditch burn, never thought he would get away from that, but he did!  As the next shot proves. Trying to get a wee story from Brian and/or Dennis on this one.