Our panel have played the best Scottish courses ahead of compiling the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list – but what is their favourite par 4?
The question is what makes a good par 4? Is it if it is drivable, with multiple club options off the tee? Is it a commanding doglef that forces the issue? Or do some prefer a long winding brute, where par is always a great score?
There are plenty of iconic par-4s around the country. The infamous road hole on the Old Course takes a lot of the headlines, but there is so much more quirk and uniqueness across the Scottish golfing landscape that deserve a say.
But what do our panellists think? There are many incredible par 4s around the country, but will our panellists have gone for the same? Or will there be several different par 4s in their mentions?
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What do our panellists rate as the best par 4 in Scotland?
David Fox: Dunbar – 4th. A tight fairway squeezed between the deer park wall and rocky shoreline: stunning views and a true test in the wind.
Jim Marshall: No. 18 @ Muirfield – Historic Clubhouse backdrop and bunkers everywhere. Stunning finish steeped in history.
Oliver Baker: 6th Muirfield.
Jim Banting: 6th at Panmure – Ben Hogan’s fingerprints all over it.
Michael Verity: Really enjoyed the short par 4 3rd at Castle Stuart. Bursting with jeopardy at the green, endlessly tricky but highly entertaining.
Hugh Masson: The 3rd at Murcar. A double fairway that snakes down to the green protected by dunes and deep bunkers.
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A selection of Scotland’s top-rated courses almost have too many extraordinary par fours to choose from.
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Craig Morrison: Foxy. The 14th at Royal Dornoch – one day I plan to par it.
Steve Watton: 14th Royal Dornoch.
David Walker: 14th Royal Dornoch, Foxy has no bunker, a plateau green and steep rise that varies from five feet on the left to ten feet on the right, one of the finest links in the world.
Chris Myatt: The new 7th hole at Royal Dornoch. An infinity green visible from the tee with gorse flanking the fairway and views across the Dornoch Firth.
Phil Bedford: 2nd at Carnoustie.
Dove Jones: 18th at Carnoustie.
But, as hinted in the introduction, there was an overriding favourite for the best par four in Scotland.
David Elliott: I would probably have to give it to the “Road Hole”, a fantastically designed hole with a terrifying green and approach. Hitting over the hotel adds charm.
Ian Woods: 17th at St Andrews Old Course. So familiar from the tee box …so terrifying when playing for the first time. And even if you hit a perfect drive, there is so much jeopardy with your second shot.
Neil White: The 17th Road Hole, St Andrews Old Course. Famous for a reason
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But originality is preferable and admirable. And with so much variety and contrast in which holes can be designed, each one has its own character and challenge.
Peter Rudd: Hole 4 Kingsbarns. The moment you step on the tee, you know this is special. The view and the architecture are amazing.
Charles Abraham: The par 4 6th at Kingsbarns – unheralded but so many options from the tee.
Ed Battye: Askernish 9th. The hole has so many options from the tee, fairway and green. It delivers on so many different levels.
Craig Redston: 1st at the Old Course, St Andrews.
Chris Griffiths: 11th at Dunbar. Long and challenging, but scenically beautiful.
Paul Watson: Hole 14 “Whins” Cruden Bay. A signature hole to beat all others. An accurate drive and then a blind shot to a ‘bathtub’ green!
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Andi White: Gleneagles King’s – 3rd. Blind tee shot towards a very steep hill. A lookout was needed to wave you in when the coast was clear.
Greg Webber: 5th at Nairn. Just under 400 yards with the sea on the right, trouble on the left and played to an elevated, guarded green.
Stu Bennett: 6th at Boat of Garten. A bold tee shot defines this hole, so tight from the tee, but the aggressive play gives you a shorter approach to a well-designed green.
Michael Atkinson: The 7th hole at Gullane No.1. An elevated tee box, spectacular views and the opportunity for the big hitters in summer to drive the green in the distance below if they weave it through the bunkers.
Lewis Marr: 12th Southerness. A tough drive with an approach to an infinity type green with the sea in the backdrop.
Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
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Now have your say
Would you agree with our panellists? What do you think is the best par 4 in Scotland? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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