Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa - Championship Course

This a great course lots of feature holes raised greens etc very hilly and a long walk .... fairways are quite wide approach shots are tight a very good test .... but ..... at 4 3/4 hours play was far two slow several of us caught up with 3 four balls who dawdled up the fairways... ridiculously slow on the greens and who did not invite the two balls behind to play through.... not a fault of the course but if the course management.. a Marshall would have helped

Some great holes .... easy tee shots ... difficult approach shots ... need a course Marshall caught up with 2 four balls at the 9th. slowed the game down ...... 2 .30 hr back 9

Greens and tee boxes were pristine, the fairways were all overgrown and the rough was ridiculous. Clearly not maintained properly. Boiling hot day and the halfway house was shut and the vending machines in there were empty. Very disappointing as I’ve played this course a handful of times over the years and it’s always been top notch. It’s just not being cared for properly at the minute. Also, pace of play was slow - 4 hrs 30 mins about an hour over my norm.

I played this course with a friend the week of some heavy rain but despite that they course was in good condition, particularly the greens. There was a 10-15mph breeze and because of the damp conditions not a great deal of run on the fairways which meant for us even with a good drive we were still going into greens with long irons or rescues. There are some great views and some good holes and not many easy ones! Would definitely play here again.

The course was in good condition except the greens had been treated with something and covered everything in a white powder. The course is very long and each hole was pretty much long and straight! We hit a driver off every tee except for the par 3’s. Lots of room either side of fairway with fairly short rough and only a few trees so if you were a little off on a drive it wasn’t a disaster. Nice course, but not very interesting, would play it again particularly at the offer price we managed to get.

We booked a round through golfnow so got a great deal at only £18. Pretty much first booking so got off handy with no groups in front. Course was in great condition with some testing holes. Played a number blind as it was our first time. Note the Championship course is much better than the Premiership one so if the price is similar go for this. Quite an undulating course which when carrying a bag adds a little more. The only down side would be the walking distance between some holes. but overall really pleasant course.

Got on course at 1030h ahead of booking.
No sign of anyone on first 2 holes, then caught up with the snails at the 4th.
Followed behind until the 6th when we started darting from one hole to another to keep moving.
This is becoming a regular feature of this course where the players should be given time targets and told to let faster groups through.
Won’t be rushing back.
AML

Fab morning.
Fast greens- Course in great condition. Very reasonably priced

Played championship course for the 1st time today. Started at 7.00am and friendly staff with pro shop already open. Course layout really nice and condition of course lovely considering the weather the past weeks. Would highly recommend but it is tough going!

Nice course however the fairways were a little long and needed some work. Greens were very slow but the weather conditions didn’t help. Toilets at the half way house we’re filthy! Layout nice tho

Excellent day, will be defiantly be returning , coarse good for time of year.
Cant wait to play it in the summer

Really nice course and well laid out. Well kept and the pace of play was good. Played alone and was let through a few times with no issue. Would definitely recommend this course.

teed off at 2.45 course very quiet maybe the reason for the pace of play course in good condition overall will definitely be returning very enjoyable

A really good challenging golf course with many great holes, 3/4 11/12/14/15/17 all a test.

Played here many times years ago and still in my mind one of the best tests in the area, lovely views of surrounding countryside

Yes it was wet..
Yes it blew a gale..
But as big as the hikes were and as hard as the game was I still enjoyed every minute!!
Course on a whole considering conditions was great and will definitely return in summer months when can enjoy it’s full beauty!!

I had an opportunity to play the front nine in the summer and it was very enjoyable. I’ve played the whole course in January and it was absolutely brilliant. Real tees, real greens, and balls not plugging. A good day of exercise and an opportunity to let go with a big hit and a breath of freezing air.

Very good course, long, interesting and good lay out of holes. Could only fault slight hold up on last four holes. Very enjoyable round would definitely play there again.

Greens very poor stuck behind society 6 hours if course was closer to home would have walked off after nine holes won't play here again local muni golf course has better greens