Play Course
One intriguing aspect of play over the course is that many fairways have been framed by two tall trees, one either side, at around 200 yards, or where the Braid Dog-legs start to turn. These are simple but insidious. For example, the very first hole has these framing trees just where the fairway turns to the right.
The hole is 295 yards. If you drive well to the left to open up the second shot, you will find a diagonal of three bunkers squeezing out the left side of the green on the line of your approach and your approach is likely to need a healthy iron shot. The 9th hole at 387 yards is almost a replica, this time with the fairway sloping downwards into the right turn of the dog-leg.
Holes 6, 7, 9 and 16 run by the River which is never in play, but it is always there, just over your shoulder. Braid’s original design called for a carry of a couple of hundred yards across the angle of the River Endrick.
The greens in general are fairly flat and true.
Like every other golf course built, no matter how short, how simple, Buchanan Castle will prevail over the golfer unless he brings to it a proper swing, hits the shot correctly, and gets the ball out about 200 yards from the tee and onto the fairway.
Buchanan Castle Golf Course offers mountains, river and forest near the shores of Loch Lomond. It is a stunningly beautiful parkland course - a place you will remember with affection.