Campbell's Scottish Highlands Golf Course is located off of exit 2 off interstate 93. Take Route 38 in Salem, NH head towards Pelham and take a left on Brady Ave. and it's just down the road a bit on the right.
This photo is the tenth fairway looking over the 13th hole tee box.
This year the course seems to be in excellent condition. The faiways are plush, the rough is thick and narly. The greens are coming in real nice. They seem to roll very true.
My biggest complaint is that the golfers who play here need to be very careful and repair their ball marks. I usually have to repair a half dozen ball marks on every hole every round I play.
I play here every Wednesday evening in the Wilderness Golf League, which I am now in my 18th season and there are only about 6 of the original guys still playing regularly.
This is a very short course by most standards at 5,746 yards from the white tee markers. A par 71 with a course rating of 67.6 and a slope rating of 116.
The first hole is a slight downhill 341 yard par 4. A straight drive may wind up in the rough on the right side as the fairway is cut a little back to the left and the tee box lines you up thinking you are hitting straight. Wide open otherwise grip it and rip it.
2nd hole is another slight uphill 454 yard par 5. This is very reachable in two with a real good drive. A good drive can still leave you with over 200 yards to the green. The uphill and the wind can make this a three shot hole. Watch out for a hook off the tee as this hole is lined with trees and O.B. markers up the left side of the cart path. The right side has moguls and is in the rough which this year is very thick. Play can back up in the fairway as most golfers will try and reach this green in two.
The 3rd hole is another downhill par 3 at 185 yards with big trouble to the right and it usually plays into the wind during the early part of April and May. Large two tiered green makes it look easy to reach but the wind and a missed hit makes this hole one I do not like.
Now we head across the street and I usually prefer to be at least one over par heading to 4. Even or one under is attainable for lower handicapped players.
The 4th is a 418 yard par 4 downhill to a large landing area with water about 130 yards out. The water is reachable during the summer months as the fairways dry out and the favorable winds make it easy for your tee shot to splash. A two tiered green makes this hole play tough when the pin is up top and way back. 3rd toughest hole on the course.
The 5th is a 482 yard par 5 reachable in 2 by lower handicap players. Wind is usually in your face early spring. Trouble to the right with water and a large sloping hill on the left with tall grass makes this par 5 the number 1 handicap hole on the course. It is not the toughest hole by any means.
The 6th is a sharp dogleg right 358 yard par 4. A good 3 or 4 iron shot or use your hybrid and you have a short iron into the green. Woods on the right and the 7th fairway on the left make this hole tricky. Come up short and you'll find yourself handcuffed by not being able to see the green. A large green makes for an easy target, 4 is a good score here.
7th is a 167 yard par 3 double tiered green with trouble on the right and drops off dramatically off the back. Trust me I know. When the pin is up front par is easy. When back on the top shelf it is not so easy.
8th hole is a 260 yard par 4 uphill surrounded by sand traps and a large tree blocking the fairway at about 100 yards out. This should be the easiest par 4 on the course as most will try and drive the green. It is very reachable and I have seen 2 made here a few times and once already this year. Someone aced this hole a few years ago. Don't hook or you'll end up in the tall grass that surrounds the number 5 hole. Right can lead you out of bounds.
9th is a 352 yard par 4 all up hill with O.B to the left and woods to the right. A good drive can you leave you out 130 yards and a blind second shot to a large green. When walking this course holes 8 and 9 are all uphill and if you are not in good shape it will leave you breathing a little heavy.
A score of 5 to 6 over par makes for a decent front nine score.
My back nine review.
Jay and Monika McGillicuddy
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