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Clyde Johnson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Leadhills and Lean Operations
« on: May 21, 2021, 11:35:56 AM »
I stopped in at Scotland's highest course earlier in the week - 1,500ft above sea level. I thought it was worth highlighting, not just for cool features like this meandering ditch which fronts the reachable 2nd...





...nor the 5th, which is one of the wildest holes to be seen anywhere...





(Pick your island of fairway from the tee, then approach blind to a near vertically banked green.)







...but in recognition of the lean operating budget, and the 3 volunteer greenkeepers who were filling the roll of the part-time greenkeeper whom had just resigned.


£4,000 per/annum - £1,600 of which covered 200 hours of paid for help.


There are a fair few places that run like this, but I was surprised by just how low the numbers are. I guess it helps when the grass (moss) doesn't grow quite as quick!


« Last Edit: May 21, 2021, 12:10:04 PM by Clyde Johnson »

Michael Wolf

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2021, 11:40:56 AM »
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like a fun place for a game of golf.


Out of curiosity, how much would a shoestring UK course like that still need to pay in mandated expenditures? (business license, required minimum insurance, property tax, etc)


Michael

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2021, 12:07:52 PM »
Rural and rustic! Splendid. :)
Nice to know that are still a few ‘village courses’ still in existence around the U.K. long may they continue.

Thanks for highlighting.
Atb

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2021, 11:37:42 AM »
Clyde


Is this basically Arbory Brae, the course that Alfie and Harry Ward resurrected ?


Niall

Clyde Johnson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2021, 05:52:06 AM »
Clyde


Is this basically Arbory Brae, the course that Alfie and Harry Ward resurrected ?


Niall




Niall,


No, Arbory Brae was to the East of Abington, and only lasted 3 years, I believe.


Leadhills Golf Club has been around since 1935. The village had two previous courses - including one on the hillside behind the 5th green - under the Lowther Golf Club.


On a nice day, it would be worth the 10 minute detour if heading south.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2021, 06:12:28 AM »
Clyde


Is this basically Arbory Brae, the course that Alfie and Harry Ward resurrected ?


Niall
Niall,

No, Arbory Brae was to the East of Abington, and only lasted 3 years, I believe.

Leadhills Golf Club has been around since 1935. The village had two previous courses - including one on the hillside behind the 5th green - under the Lowther Golf Club.

On a nice day, it would be worth the 10 minute detour if heading south.

10 minutes? That doesn't sound like a glowing reco.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2021, 08:06:00 AM »
Clyde


Is this basically Arbory Brae, the course that Alfie and Harry Ward resurrected ?


Niall
Niall,

No, Arbory Brae was to the East of Abington, and only lasted 3 years, I believe.

Leadhills Golf Club has been around since 1935. The village had two previous courses - including one on the hillside behind the 5th green - under the Lowther Golf Club.

On a nice day, it would be worth the 10 minute detour if heading south.

10 minutes? That doesn't sound like a glowing reco.

Ciao


I think Clyde is pointing out that it is only a short detour off the A74 if heading south. You could doubtless make a longer detour if you wanted to :)
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

John Mayhugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2021, 01:18:58 PM »
Would love to see more courses like this. Keep sharing.

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Leadhills and Lean Operations
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2021, 03:26:59 PM »
Would love to see more courses like this. Keep sharing.


This website is worth exploring - https://www.forgottengreens.com/


Lots of interesting info to be found here too - https://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/


Enjoy.
Atb