Minto Golf Club
Minto Golf Club near Hawick, Roxburghshire in South East Scotland has a lovely parkland course that can be quite a challenge. Southern Scotland and the Borders are not well known for golf - though they are home to everything else that is typically Scottish. Nevertheless the region has several beautiful parkland courses and is ideal for a golfing holiday. Most clubs welcome visitors and the green fees are low. Furthermore you can access most of them within half an hour if you base yourself at a convenient location.
Minto Golf Club and course is situated on the lower slopes of the Minto Hills and face the Teviot Valley. Designed in 1928, the main hazards are the mature trees on the course. There are a few sand bunkers but golfers would do well to look out for the subtle burrows on the greens. The course is on gradual hills with the first ten holes having a lesser gradient of fairways. The last eight overlook the Teviot Valley and are steeper.
The par 69 is a compact 5542 yards and the signature hole is the par 4, 267 yard 12th hole known as Everest. It begins from a tree lined tee to a plateau green and a long drive will help go up from the foothills of this vast mountain. The par 3, 4th hole known as Stewart’s View has spectacular views down the valley.
The 3rd and 16th holes at Minto are deemed to be the more difficult ones. The latter is a par 4 known as Road Hole. Success here needs an accurate tee shot and a careful approach as a large tree on the right can result in a drive that is out of bounds on the left. The 3rd hole is the longest par 4 here at 421 yards and goes uphill to the furthest part of the course.
The clubhouse is comfortable and one can sit or on the patio overlooking the 18th green with its magnificent backdrop. The practice area and putting green are a convenient place to warm up before the round and you can also hire buggies and trolleys to make getting around the golf course a breeze.