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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

After watching last weekend's Masters and witnessing the latest rendition of Augusta National treat the world's best players with varying degrees of disdain, many may question what kind of a designer assembled such a monster. Although Augusta National was originally a 1933 collaborative effort of the great Bobby Jones and the equally famed Scottish designer, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, no great course has experienced as many modifications since its inauguration -- change at August National is constant.

Duff House Royal Golf Club -- a true hidden gem.

So severe have been the modifications made and by so many different architects, it's doubtful if Jones and Mackenzie would recognize their handiwork today. In many ways this is a great pity as the original was a genuine work of art. As the permanent home of The Masters, continual upgrading, lengthening and toughening are a necessary evil to keep pace with the latest developments in golf technology and maintain the challenge for the best professionals.

Most of us will never have the chance to play Augusta National, but there are opportunities to experience other courses by the same Alister Mackenzie, a man who probably had more influence than any other on contemporary golf architecture.

Some, such as Australia's Royal Melbourne and Cypress Point in California, are acknowledged as being among the best courses on the planet, while others have maintained a much lower profile. These are golf's true Hidden Gems and any lack of celebrity should not be mistaken as a reflection on the brilliance of their design -- Alister Mackenzie had the distinction of being consistently brilliant.

Bordered by the River Deveron, Duff House Royal presents a multitude of challenges.

One of the most charming examples of Mackenzie's work can be found on the broad shoulder of land in the northeast of Scotland, known as Grampian. This is a mountainous region of stunning beauty, famous for its malt whiskies and amazing collection of ancient Scottish Castles. It's also an area known for excellent golf courses, some famous, others like Mackenzie's Duff House Royal, less so.

Duff House Royal was originally laid out in 1909 by another fabled Scottish architect, James Braid. Turned over to Agriculture purposes during the First World War, the layout was eventually resurrected from its humble wartime use in 1923 when Dr. Alister Mackenzie was invited in to rebuild the course.

Following the delightfully simple principles of course design, laid out in his 1920 book, "Golf Architecture" (still required reading for every budding course architect) Mackenzie proceeded to design the perfect golf course to accommodate golfers of all levels. Among his 13 essential features of an ideal course, were these that demonstrate the man's innate understanding of golf, golfers and golf course design:

1. The greens and fairways should be undulating, but without steep hills for the golfer to climb.

2. There should be a minimum of blind approach shots

3. The emphasis should be on natural beauty and not artificial features

4. There must be a complete absence of annoyance caused by searching for lost balls.

5. Course conditioning must remain consistently outstanding.

6. Every hole should have a different character.

7. There should be a sufficient number of heroic carries from the tee, but for the weaker player, with the loss of a stroke, they shall always have an alternative route.

8. There should be infinite variety in the strokes required to play the various holes.

9. The course should be so interesting that even the high handicapper shall be stimulated to attempt shots he has previously been unable to play.

10. The course should be arranged so that the low handicap player or absolute beginner should be able to enjoy their round, in spite of the fact they are piling up a big score.

An ancient seven arched bridge adds to the distractions.

This small insight into Alister Mackenzie's infinite wisdom and understanding of the game and those who play it, explains the very special allure Duff House Royal holds for any golfer fortunate enough to discover it.

Measuring a deceivingly short 6,161 yards, this beautifully manicured parkland layout has a strikingly handsome appearance that denies the severe, though very fair challenge it contains. A special feature is the exceptionally large greens for which Mackenzie is so rightly renowned. Most are at least double tiered, filled with undulations and slopes, sometimes subtle, other times not, that are never easy to read. Similar to the greens at Augusta that created serious hardships last weekend for the world's best, Duff House Royal's greens present the visitor with no easier test.

Clever bunkering and lush, tree-lined fairways are among other similarities Duff House Royal shares with the Masters venue, as is water, which at Duff House, comes in the form of the elegant River Deveron. Bounding the course on one side, the river serves mostly as a majestic backdrop, coming into play from the tees of the 7th, 16th and 17th holes.

And true to his simple principles of design, Mackenzie has avoided the annoyance of lost balls by practically eliminating any meaningful rough; there are no hills to climb nor is there any monotony on a course that is stunningly beautiful and void of any artificiality. Variety is served in buckets and although there are opportunities aplenty to tempt the risk-takers, there's always a safer way for those either lacking in bravado or not so secure in their abilities.

This could be the perfect course for those who would treat themselves to a thoroughly enjoyable round of quality golf. Any time you can enjoy the world's best whisky amid spectacularly beautiful surroundings and play one of Scotland's true hidden gems, the world is treating you well. The fact that this also happens to be one of only 64 golf clubs in the world permitted to carry the prestigious, Royal title, only adds icing to the cake.

Duff House Royal is unquestionably a treasure every serious golfer will want to savor. For a few suggestions on how to include this unheralded gem of a course in your Scottish golf trip, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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