A Pictorial: Gullane #1 and #2!!!

[Kyle Henderson]

Of the 20+ courses that filled my 2-week itinerary, those of the Gullane Golf Club were probably my least favorite, though this is more a testament to the high overall quality of my selections than a knock on Gullane. I also happened to catch Gullane on the worst weather day of my trip between rounds at Muirfield and the North Berwick West Links, a spot from which many courses will struggle to impress.

FYI: My other pictorial threads from this trip can be viewed at the following links:
Royal Dornoch http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40107.0/
Brora http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40120.0/
Golspie http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40126.0/
The Castle Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40204.0/
Murcar http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40281.0/
Crail: Craigshead & Balcombie http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40325.0/
Lundin Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40387.0/
Muirfield http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40439.0/
Cruden Bay http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40565.0/
Gleneagles - Kings Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40675.0/
St. Andrews - Old Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40696.0/
Gullane #1 & #2 http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41085.0/
Panmure http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41122.0/
Gleneagles - Queens Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41152.0/
Kingsbarns http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41184.0/
Royal Aberdeen - Balgownie Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41498.0/
Carnoustie – Championship Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41834.0/
North Berwick - West Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42104.0/

*not featured: Nairn, Eden, New, Castle Stuart (tour)


The #1 Course is certainly better than the #2 course (I didn’t play #3), offering a bit more challenge and a few more memorable holes than the latter. The turf conditions on both courses were very similar to those at Muirfield, the venerable championship layout on the opposite side of the village; however the courses at Gullane lack the subtle contours that make Muirfield one of the elite tests among the British links. Rather, Gullane is defined by large scale undulations, with holes running steeply (and rather awkwardly at times) up and down a sizable hill.

What Gullane does offer, aside from a decent test of golf on fast and firm turf, is a panoramic view of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth along with 3 courses that offer a large variety of overall length and challenge plus a children’s’ course to ensure future generations of golf connoisseurs.

I wish there were more places for kids to learn the game in America.


It’s certainly a good place to train youngsters how to focus. This young fellow made pretty decent contact, even as his golf buddy was taking practice swings.


The kids tend to sprint more often than than walk between shots. Gullane Hill dominates the distant view.


The 3rd hole of the #2 course climbs directly up the face of Gullane Hill.


From the 3rd green on the #2 course, one can look over the 16th green to Edinburgh and the Forth of Firth.


The 12th green on the #2 course brings the player within a few hundred yards of the shore.


A lady and her entourage play out on the 17th hole of the #2 course.


Looking past the 9th green on the #1 course, one can see Muirfield on the distant peninsula.


The12th hole on the #1 course plays along the Firth.


Looking back on the par 3 16th of the #1 course – on of my better approaches on a rainy, windy day – the sloping nature of the property is apparent.


This view is looks down the 17th hole of the #1 course, a drivable par 4 that drops steeply off the side of Gullane Hill. The peaked hill on the right side of the horizon (scroll) is adjacent to the village of  North Berwick.

[Mark Pearce]

Kyle,

Thanks for this report.  What a fantastic trip you had.  I have a fondness for Gullane 2 as it is one of the first "proper" golf courses I played in Scotland.  You're right though that these are probably the two weakest courses in your itinerary and Gullane 1 must surely be the poorest value you played?  The benefit of playing No 1, though, is that it gives you access to the club clubhouse, rather than the public clubhouse over the road.

Mark

[Jason Topp]

I love the pictures of the kids course.  I played about 10 holes of Gullane #3 with my kids last summer and it was a magical experience on a beautiful day. 

[Bob Jenkins]

Kyle,

Great pics as usual!  I love the clouds in most of them.

Regarding Gullane No. 1, it is a very memorable course with several distinct holes and I will never forget standing on what I think is the 7th tee and looking out to Edinburgh in the west, Muirfield and out towards North Berwick to the east.

Most of all, having hit my drive into a bunker on the right side of hole No. 1, I recall the sound of me stomping on crushed sea shells in the bunker which was a surprise. No sand, just sea shells. One's wedge just sliced through it with little resistance. Lot's of fun and certainly different.

Hope all is well with you!

Bob

[Kyle Henderson]

Kyle,

Thanks for this report.  What a fantastic trip you had.  I have a fondness for Gullane 2 as it is one of the first "proper" golf courses I played in Scotland.  You're right though that these are probably the two weakest courses in your itinerary and Gullane 1 must surely be the poorest value you played?  The benefit of playing No 1, though, is that it gives you access to the club clubhouse, rather than the public clubhouse over the road.

Mark

Mark,
My trip was incredible, all the more for your part in the tale.

I think the tariff for both rounds at Gullane (on a weekend) added up to 100 ponds or so. For that rate, next time I would probably elect for a day ticket on the North Berwick West Links.






I

[Matthew Parish]

Ahh...memories.  In July 2005, we played Gullane #1 the afternoon after playing N. Berwick in the morning.  This is a lesson learned.  Gullane #1 should not be played as the second walking round of the day.  But probably one of my best memories was talking with a local when the balls we played landed about ten feet apart.   Of course, he was playing and walking his dog at the time.  You don't see that much in the States!

[Kyle Henderson]

Ahh...memories.  In July 2005, we played Gullane #1 the afternoon after playing N. Berwick in the morning.  This is a lesson learned.  Gullane #1 should not be played as the second walking round of the day.  But probably one of my best memories was talking with a local when the balls we played landed about ten feet apart.   Of course, he was playing and walking his dog at the time.  You don't see that much in the States!

As I stated in another thread from my trip to Scotland, should I ever become wealthy enough to build my own private golf club, I would adopt these policies based on my U.K. experience.

1)   Walking only (with the exception of the handicapped)
2)   Dog friendly
3)   3.5 hours max/18 holes
4)   Alternate shot format requirement for foursomes on weekends.
5)   Liberal unaccompanied visitor policies

[Kyle Henderson]

Kyle,

Great pics as usual!  I love the clouds in most of them.

Regarding Gullane No. 1, it is a very memorable course with several distinct holes and I will never forget standing on what I think is the 7th tee and looking out to Edinburgh in the west, Muirfield and out towards North Berwick to the east.

Most of all, having hit my drive into a bunker on the right side of hole No. 1, I recall the sound of me stomping on crushed sea shells in the bunker which was a surprise. No sand, just sea shells. One's wedge just sliced through it with little resistance. Lot's of fun and certainly different.

Hope all is well with you!

Bob

The #1 course does have some memorable spots. I enjoyed the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 16th and 17th. However, none of those holes were grand enough to accound for the relatively high visitor fees, especially given the number of higher quality layouts in the region.

[RSLivingston_III]

I do like Gullane. Haven't played two and only played one once, and that was with a bunch of members, a great way to go about it if you have the chance.
It is #3 that I have a special love for. Not a "great" course, but really fun. I've been fortunate enough to play quite a few competitive  rounds on it and know it well.
It was good to see the photos of the others, I had forgotten much of what I saw when I played #1.

[Kyle Henderson]

I do like Gullane. Haven't played two and only played one once, and that was with a bunch of members, a great way to go about it if you have the chance.
It is #3 that I have a special love for. Not a "great" course, but really fun. I've been fortunate enough to play quite a few competitive  rounds on it and know it well.
It was good to see the photos of the others, I had forgotten much of what I saw when I played #1.

I'm sure #3 would be a great spot for a local to squeeze in a quick round, but it didn't appear to be the kind of course a visitor should take the time to explore unless they've already seen everything else in the neighborhood. Am I mistaken?

[Sean_A]

I do like Gullane. Haven't played two and only played one once, and that was with a bunch of members, a great way to go about it if you have the chance.
It is #3 that I have a special love for. Not a "great" course, but really fun. I've been fortunate enough to play quite a few competitive  rounds on it and know it well.
It was good to see the photos of the others, I had forgotten much of what I saw when I played #1.

Ralph

I too have more regard for #3 than the others.  It surely isn't a great course (neither are the others), but there is a lot of cool stuff going on.  That said, #3 is one of those few courses that I think has been very badly effected by modern shot length.  A handful of holes which are now a drive-wedge would be sublime if the ball didn't go so far.  I suspect #3 is a perfect venue for hickory golf.

Kyle - sadly, you are right.  #3 isn't really one of those courses a visitor need see, but if this is the case, I would say neither are #s 1 or 2.  However, there is an exception for #3 and that is if you are looking for a very affordable weekend game while on tour.  Bottom line for Gullane #, it is fine if you are in the area and can't get on something you would rather play or if invited by a member. 

All that said, I think Gullane would be a great place to be a member of!

Thanks for the pix.

Ciao

[Niall C]

I do like Gullane. Haven't played two and only played one once, and that was with a bunch of members, a great way to go about it if you have the chance.
It is #3 that I have a special love for. Not a "great" course, but really fun. I've been fortunate enough to play quite a few competitive  rounds on it and know it well.
It was good to see the photos of the others, I had forgotten much of what I saw when I played #1.

I'm sure #3 would be a great spot for a local to squeeze in a quick round, but it didn't appear to be the kind of course a visitor should take the time to explore unless they've already seen everything else in the neighborhood. Am I mistaken?

Kyle

You are indeed very much mistaken. Its not a big boy like Muirfield, North Berwick, No 1 etc but like Ralph says its great fun and needs a lot of good golf despite its relatively short length. I've played it 50 plus times in all sorts of weather at all times of year and it always a challenge no matter what. The conditions are always fast and firm and I've yet to play off a winter green there. Also don't be mistaken that because theres no dunes or wild contours a la Castle Course that there isn't lots of borrow on putts and running shots because there is.

Easily the best value golf course in the area, in my humble opinion of course. Yes No 1 is over priced but the club doesn't really want visitors on it hence the price. Most local visitors will always play 2 or 3. Sorry I missed you when you were over but next time I'll treat you to a game on number 3, and I guarantee you will have a blast.

Sean

I'm not sure I agree with you entirely about it being badly effected by modern shot length. Very often with the front left and right greenside bunkers and the hard playing surface, it is easy to blind side yourself by going too far. Most times playing from further back you get a better angle to the hole. Certainly it would be a great course for playing with hickory's.

Niall

[Kyle Henderson]

Kyle

Easily the best value golf course in the area, in my humble opinion of course. Yes No 1 is over priced but the club doesn't really want visitors on it hence the price. Most local visitors will always play 2 or 3. Sorry I missed you when you were over but next time I'll treat you to a game on number 3, and I guarantee you will have a blast.


Niall

Sounds grand!