"I would like to thank all of the staff for their resurgent effort and team ethic in our effort to reinstate Falkirk Golf Course to one of Central Scotland’s premier golf courses."
Matt Thomson
Head Greenkeeper
Greenkeeping News
Special points of interest:
Greens are now being cut
at 4 mm;
Groomer being fitted to the ride on greens machine to assist in speeding up the greens.
Staff News
We would all like to wish Blair Dewar every success in his new venture in France.
We also welcome on board Stuart McGregor (pictured below) who has 20 years experience in greenkeeping and we are sure he will be an invaluable addition to our team.
No More Crap
The old septic tank which sat below the 18th green causing much of the soft ground short, right of the green has now been removed backfilled and the turf re - instated by George Steel contractors.
New Distance Markers
We have now installed all of the new distance markers on the course. They are white 100 yards, yellow 150 yards and red 200 yards. These distance markers are all to the centre of the greens. As per the memberships general comments regarding the new markers we have taken on board your suggestions and made them more visible from the rough!! Hopefully this will satisfy your requests.
Flora
Golf clubs are encouraged by the Scottish Golf Union, R & A and Environmental Agencies to be Environmentally friendly - especially towards plants, flowers and wildlife. One of our lady members, Elinor Milne, looks after the flowers in the boxes in front of the clubhouse - our thanks go to her for taking some time out to help make the clubhouse surroundings look a bit more colourful. Elinor has also contributed the following article to brighten up our website.
Falkirk Golf Club is not only a good leisure facility but it is also a nature reserve and we the members are its guardians.
There are at least two different types of wild orchid in the damp sections of the course which are protected by law. They are the pale pink Common Spotted Orchid (June to August) and the deep pink Marsh Orchid (May to July). They can be seen in the area between the 8th and 9th fairways and over the bridge at the 11th as well as occasional specimens along the burns.
There are many other beautiful wild flowers around the course including: marsh marigolds, valerian, meadow sweet, foxgloves, vipers bugloss and purple loosestrife. They all enhance the course and attract a range of mammals, insects and birds. We are fortunate to have them and should encourage their growth in the wild areas of the course.
Our ponds already attract insects and frogs and there is a family of moorhens in the marshy pond beside the 4th green. This pond was designed with the assistance of Scottish Golf Environment Group who suggested that it be kept clear at the side of the green but allowed to grow naturally from the middle over in order to maintain a natural habitat for wildlife and flora.
Roe deer have been seen on the course on a number of occasions and there is a kestrel which hovers over the course looking for prey, whilst buzzards can be heard mewing to each other high above.
It is always interesting to hear what wildlife and flowers members see while out enjoying their golf.
“I feel compelled to write and complement you
on the condition of the golf course. Having played
the course 12 months ago I cannot believe the
improvement in the condition of the course. I look
forward to coming back during the season to play
the course in what I expect will be superb condition.”
Dale Reid OBE, 3 time Solheim Cup Captain
“The condition of the course and facilities were amazing, in particular the greens were superb to putt on and really helped with my preparations. I would also like to say thank you to everyone I met for the really warm welcome you extended to me it really felt like being at home.”
Jason Shufflebotham
The Course
Falkirk Golf Course known Locally as "Carmuirs" is a parkland course, slightly undulating over the back nine.
Medal: Par 71, 6230yds, SSS70
Yellow: Par 69, 5975yds, SSS69
Ladies: Par 73, 5559yds, SSS73
During the next few years major changes will be made to the Course.
David J. Russell, PGA Professional and Course Architect, has made recommendations on the layout out of the 18 holes and they will be introduced over a period of time.
New practice facilities have already been introduced with four practice bays, practice Putting Green and 'Short Game' area for pitching and bunker play. The Golf Professional Stewart Craig has a state of the art Practice Bay equipped with the latest technology to help golfers improve their game.
“Matt I just wanted to let you know how impressed
I was last week with condition of the greens at Carmuirs.
How you have managed to treble the root growth in 4 months of winter weather is quite unbelievable.
However you seem to continue to perform miracles, keep it up.”
Gary McCandles, Industry Professional & Qualified Head Greenkeeper
The Course record was unique for a number of years as it was 66 for Gents, Ladies and Professional. In 2006 the Gents course record was reduced to 63 by Colin Mundie, Club Champion 2005.
The last six holes are a good test of Golf and scores must be made before arriving on the 13th tee.
The 13th is a long uphill par 3 that requires the shot to be played as a fade. The 14th/15th have a burn running between them that requires the tee shot to be accurate. The 17th is a long and very good par 4.
The closing hole offers options - it can be played as a good par 5 with the 3rd shot over a burn to the green or for the long hitters have a go for the green in two, if you succeed you are rewarded if you fail there is a penalty. The course offers challenges at each hole, how you play them is for you to decide.
"The work we have seen going on around the course
this winter has all had a very methodical and logical process
about it and much of the good work cannot be seen
as it is all under the surface."
Stewart Craig, Golf Pro
Green Fees
Visitors are always welcome at Falkirk Golf Club, however it is wise to check our fixtures list to ensure the course is available. Details of our green fees, including special packages for parties of 8 or more and a booking request form can be found here.
How to find us
The Golf Course is sited on 116 acres of land, situated to the north of Camelon 1 .5 miles from Falkirk Town Centre. It lies between the A9 and the Edinburgh/Perth Railway Line and magnificent views of the Forth Valley, including the Kingdom of Fife, and the Ochil and Denny Hills, can be seen from various parts of the course. On a clear day the Forth Bridges can be seen from the 3rd tee.
This area was known locally as "Meg Allan's Bog". It would appear this boggy texture of land is probably due to the River Carron which, until 1757, flowed over the ground on the present 4th, 17th and 18th fairways.
The extensive practice area occupies the ground on which the most northerly Roman Fort was built on the high ground overlooking the River Carron after the previous practice area was turned into the 10th hole in 1957.