5 Golf holes at Meldrum House that will make or break your round

How Golf Sherpa can help you play them to perfection

Imagine you are one of the fortunate few who get to play the exclusive Knights golf course (only playable with a membership or a stay at the hotel). The greens are as good as they get, unbelievable undulations and you don’t get to enjoy it as 5 unique holes left your scorecard in tatters.

Thankfully, Golf Sherpa lost the balls, so you don’t have to. Use our advice below to help you make the most of your time on this memorable course & thanks us afterwards… after all every golfer wants a trip planned to a tee!

The 'I hope You Warmed Up' One

Hole1 (Par 4) - Stroke Index 7 – 350 Yards (Medal Tees)

Not often the opening hole is a make or break one, but this is certainly an enjoyable one that requires precision from the off. From the tee box it looks as if you want to aim for the left fairway to give yourself the best approach to the green but with a pond lurking left from 170-220 yards. Think again. Successfully navigate that and you better hope you’ve not taken too much club as your ball will bound down the slope towards the second pond waiting at 260 yards. A slither of fairway and a very sloping green are protected by tall trees, the pond and 7 bunkers.

Golf Sherpa’s guide:

This is an iron and wedge hole all day long. Give yourself a chance by favouring the right of the fairway (there’s more room than you think & still a decent angle). Then aim back left of the green, if you mishit and catch the greenside bunker, that’s an easier recovery than the pond short or trees right.

The 'Indecisive Golfer’s Nightmare' One

Hole 7 (Par 4) - Stroke Index 1 – 458 Yards (Medal Tees)

A blind tee shot to a waiting water hazard which you don’t need to be Bryson Dechambeu to reach thanks to a slope. Play the tee shot well only to be faced with a long iron hit-and-hope over the pond to an elevated green. Not up to that challenge, then you still have a precision shot to land between the pond edge and the tree line. Whatever shot you select you must be willing to commit fully and roll the dice.

Golf Sherpa’s guide:

The sloping false front of the green means a shot to the back of the green is a must. A shot long isn’t necessary the worst as the undulating nature of the greens means a greenside pitch will be easier than landing the green from the fairway.

The 'Precision Makes Perfect' One

Hole 8 (Par 4) - Stroke Index 13 – 458 Yards (Medal Tees)

One of the most beautiful holes on the course, the tee shot over water is purely for decoration for most golfers, baring the unexpected top. The real trouble comes with the approach. You might be tempted to aim right off the tee to avoid the bunkers and cut the dogleg, but this is what the course wants you to do. For the average hitter, a clear approach of the green isn’t on the cards, instead you’ll be required to shape a shot round some perfectly positioned trees over a pond into a green with Everest elevation levels of run offs.

Golf Sherpa’s guide:
As soon as your ball hits the manicured fairway it’s going to kick right like you wouldn’t believe. If you’ve cut the corner, then this will bounce right into that blocked out area. Our second bit of advice is whatever you do don’t go over the back of the green, you will require a full swing putt to get it up the side of the green and onto the downslope to get anywhere near the hole. If you don’t (or risk a chip) you will likely see your ball roll into the pond or not make it up the hill and roll back to your feet.

The 'Final Boss of Bunkers' One

Hole 11 (Par 5) - Stroke Index 4 – 548 Yards (Medal Tees)

A winding fairway with strategically positioned trees and bunkers makes reaching the green in 2 an almost impossible task. Once you see what’s guarding the green you might be thankful of having to a shorter 3rd shot into this green. A wedge over a bunker into prevailing wind is usually a scary enough shot but when you must carry 15 pot bunkers with thick fescue between each, leaving no safe landing space it brings a cold sweat to any player.

Golf Sherpa’s guide:

As fun as it is to try and clear the mounds those wanting to protect their score might want to pay more attention to the little patch of fairway to the right. The green is a narrow strip which is impossible to hold if approached over the bunkers. A pitch from the right gives you plenty of roll out room

The 'King Maker' One

Hole 17 (Par 4) - Stroke Index 18 – 317 Yards (Medal Tees)

With a match on the line there is no finer deciding hole, with hazards waiting for you whatever shot you select. A par 4 requiring a fade around a tree lined rough and a bit of luck to make it through or over the awaiting pot bunkers. Looking for a safe shot there isn’t one. Play your iron and risk running into more pot bunkers, play to short or left and you’ll flirt with a pond. You’ll be too busy enjoying the view to care when you lose your ball.

Golf Sherpa’s guide:

The elevated green leads to a blind approach shot. It rolls out more than you think try to aim short but not short enough to hit the false front. That being said there is a burn waiting for those who overcook it too much, so everything in moderation.

Clubhouse thoughts:

“As I made my way around, it struck me that the layout of Meldrum and how you tackle it is what truly separates the best from the rest. It wasn’t until the 9th or 10th hole that I stopped going for pins tucked at the very back of greens, where being just a foot or two long leaves you with no chance of stopping the ball. Those are the moments I was thinking about walking off the 18th - the ones that make me want to come back and give a course of this magnitude the respect it deserves with better decision-making.”

Sure, you could tackle this experience without a guide, fumbling yardages, searching for lost balls, shovelling sand in frustration. But why? Let Golf Sherpa handle all that stress for you.

Read our full course review here

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