MacDonald Cardrona Hotel Golf & Country Club

Cardrona is a recent addition to the Borders scene and has matured well since opening in 2001 and like the majority of Dave Thomas courses boasts plenty of bunkers and large, undulating greens. It particularly provides great value in the 2-FORE!-1 scheme. A shining star of the Scottish Borders which opened in 2001 and has matured rapidly. Overlooked by wonderful Borders hillsides and skirted by the river Tweed, the par-72 course blends in nicely with its lovely natural surroundings.

More Top 2-FORE!-1 parkland courses

Click here to find out where Cardrona ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Golf Courses Scotland

Designed by the renowned Dave Thomas (The Belfry), this par 72 golf course presents a challenge and makes the most of some of the Scottish Border's most attractive scenery. The entire team's objective was to deliver world class service that compliments the resort.

"The golf course has been designed to harmonise with the beautiful scenery around it, Cardrona is the perfect balance between the golfing challenge and the natural aesthetics of this superb Border's location."

Dave Thomas and his team have produced a golf course that has quickly become one of Scotland's best. Making the most of wood, park and river, Cardrona has something for every golfer and has a mature feel to it that's all the more remarkable given its recent completion. Full warm up and practice facilities are also available. The golf course is matched by impressive clubhouse facilities within the hotel.

Pictures: MacDonald Cardrona

Loyal-Tee

Macdonald's new loyalty card scheme enables players to access the best available rates at its world-renowned courses, discounted and free rounds of golf, plus additional discounts on golf buggy hire and the hotels' food and beverage offerings.

Keith Pickard, Group Director of Golf at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts said: "This reward programme has been created following in-depth market research and our understanding of the needs of today's golfer.
"The scheme is a sign of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts' dedication to grow the game and increase participation, while rewarding our loyal customers. We know that the golf landscape is evolving and recognise that the way in which people play golf is changing.
"Our new Loyal-Tee card will allow players of all levels to enjoy the sport and gain exclusive benefits that have never been available before."
Players will receive increased benefits the more they play which includes special promotions, exclusive offers and free rounds of golf that can be redeemed across all Macdonald Hotels & Resort golf locations, including the world famous Macdonald Spey Valley Golf and Country Club in Aviemore, Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa in Cheshire and Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa in Peebles.

For further information on Macdonald Hotels and Resorts Loyal-Tee scheme, please visitwww.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/golf/loyal-tee

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 3 out of 5 Good but poor greens! 05 June 2010

  By carleast

  Played this course in June 2010. To sum this course up I would say that it's a great test and has been very well designed in most places. However, it's greens are the worst that I've ever played. Maybe caused by the harsh winter. It's not worth £55 but is pretty good value on the 2 for 1 vouchers. Pros: This course is well laid out in most places with some very tricky bunker positions. They are in play on every hole. The tee boxes and fairways were in very good condition. Cons: Terrible greens when I was there. The worst that I've ever played. Parts of the green were like carpet and slow and other parts were like a dry cricket pitch and super fast. It made it impossible to read. The stroke indexing is also the strangest that I've seen. The hardest holes are easier than the easy holes.  

• 4.5 out of 5 Great day out 26 May 2009

  By douglas1964

  Played the course yesterday with my son and we had a great round of golf. Some very interesting holes, testing but rewarding as well. The views and the setting are fantastic, the only two minor problems we encountered were a four ball in front of us who obviously did not know the etiquette of golf and allow a two ball to play through when required. The other minor irratation was the bunkers, we did visit them on a few occasions but each time we were met with not so much sand as gravel, most annoying when it causes damage to the club. Overall we were very impressed on our first visit and would be delighted to play the course again. Weather wise we could not ask for better conditions which made the day something special especially with our changeable Scottish weather conditions. D & A Campbell  

• 4 out of 5 Cardrona - possibly the longest walk in the world, but what a pleasure 12 March 2007

  By Anonymous

  I was really hoping that the weather would be kind to me after a week of rain. The course looked in tip top condition, a few puddles here and there. All 18 greens and tee beds were in use. A tough par 5 (wind against) to start, followed by a short but unpredictable par 4. As you roll through the course, it becomes apparant that you must hit the fairway or lose balls and shots pretty quickly. The weather did improve, it reached the stage where I no longer needed my wind jacket and I soon began to relax and enjoy the Unbelievable views around this course. If you enjoy a different view on every hole then you will love this course. It's long - 6600+ yards and so can the walks between holes (8 to 9 is about 500 yards!), but well well worth a visit and tie in a stay at the hotel for a day to remember. I found the par 3's very challenging (170 yards plus) but the feeling of hitting the greens with your 4/5 iron is a true scottish buzz you get from this Carnoustie like course. Every hole is a different challenge and certainly one i'll be embarking on again