North Berwick and Gullane No. 1 vs. Carnoustie and Kingsbarns

[Mark Pearce]

People love Kingsbarns because a) it's a lovely setting and there are a LOT of beautiful views and b) it's really easy.  Difficult to imagine anyone playing there and not scoring well, unless they were having a really bad day.  People enjoy scoring well.  It's a sort of anti-Carnoustie.

[Ryan Coles]

People love Kingsbarns because a) it's a lovely setting and there are a LOT of beautiful views and b) it's really easy.  Difficult to imagine anyone playing there and not scoring well, unless they were having a really bad day.  People enjoy scoring well.  It's a sort of anti-Carnoustie.

Last time I was there people were actually laughing and smiling as they came off the course. As if holiday golf is about fun in a beautiful setting!

[Julian Wise]

If cost is no object Renaissance over Gullane every time.  In fact, I'd probably play Dunbar over Gullane.  There again, I'd probably play Elie or one of the St Andrews courses over Kingsbarns, particularly if you are already doing Castle Stuart.  And I'd play Brora or Golspie over Nairn.

So based on responses and further research, I am now leaning to Renaissance/North Berwick over Carnoustie/Kingsbarns.  NEXT QUESTION IS BRORA OR NAIRN?  I think I know the answer but want to confirm.  Thanks,

[Sean_A]

I may be one of the few on this board that thinks Nairn is just as good Brora.  Although, I think Brora quite a bit more charming and the obvious choice if money matters.


Ciao

[Jon Wiggett]

Julian,

Nairn is the course with the better pedigree and is a great course. It gets very little love on this site but if it were set amongst a larger dune system it would be one of this sites favourites. Do not be fooled it is a VERY good course. However, Brora has a lot to recommend it including a fantastic set of green complexes. What would tip it for me is the value for money. Though Nairn is for me the better course by a bit it does not justify the more than double green fee but then again I would have Brora a head of RD as well.

Jon

[Adam Lawrence]

Julian,

Nairn is the course with the better pedigree and is a great course. It gets very little love on this site but if it were set amongst a larger dune system it would be one of this sites favourites. Do not be fooled it is a VERY good course. However, Brora has a lot to recommend it including a fantastic set of green complexes. What would tip it for me is the value for money. Though Nairn is for me the better course by a bit it does not justify the more than double green fee but then again I would have Brora a head of RD as well.

Jon

Jon - Brora ahead of Dornoch on VFM or on sheer quality?

[Jon Wiggett]

Adam,

on VFM. I would not presume to say that Brora is better on the GCA side though it does have a much better set of par 3s

Jon

[David Jones]

As a Gullane resident I am delighted you are leaning this way Julian!


NB is an utter no-brainer for all the reasons said above.  I would probably question Renaissance over Gullane 1.  Renaissance is a little bit of a brute.  It is long with penal rough.  The condition is great  though (even if the ground still doesn't run quite as a true links, well it didn't when I played it in the summer).  Gullane is far more playable and you get the feeling it has evolved from the ground over many many years and has a really natural feel to it.  It's definitely more fun.


It will depend partly on your ability and partly if you want to get beaten up.  I am a very average 14 handicapper, if I had 10 rounds to split between NB, Gullane and Renaissance I would be going 7, 2, 1 respectively.  Ru Macdonald has a good episode on the Scottish Golf Podcast which talks about a recent visit to Renaissance and I thought he nailed it - http://scottishgolfpodcast.com/episode-75-chewing-over-golf-coms-latest-world-rankings-more/

In terms of Nairn or Brora.  Nairn is great but Brora is brawer!

[Rich Goodale]

I may be one of the few on this board that thinks Nairn is just as good Brora.  Although, I think Brora quite a bit more charming and the obvious choice if money matters.


Ciao

Sean

For once I agree with you!

GCA wise Brora and Nairn are similar--1* on the Richelin scale.  Experience wise, however, Brora beats Nairn like a drum and when you add in VFM, this is yet another no-brainer.

hRci

[Sean_A]

I guess I am a bit more harsh than you where Brora and Nairn are concerned.  With my limited plays I give Brora an R-worth a significant day trip which involves no more driving than it takes to play and have drinks).  Of course we all play at different speeds and drink different amounts    I give Nairn an r-a good fall back on/emergency/conveniency course.  Lucky for Nairn it is close to the airport so it can be a very convenient stop 


Ciao

[Tom Kelly]

Are you planning on playing them on the same day?


If not then although maybe not ideal, it wouldn't be too hard to play North Berwick followed by either Kingsbarns or Carnoustie the next day. It's about 2 hours drive to either. Carnoustie would split up the drive to Dornoch slightly too as virtually en-route while Kingsbarns is a little more out of the way though just down the road from St Andrews.

[Bill_McBride]

Julian


Despite what my good friend Rich says about North Berwick as a town, it's a lovely place and I say that as someone from the west of Scotland. The course too has a lovely ambiance and is undoubtedly a fine course. It's noted for it's quirk and has some fine views if that's what floats your boat. Gullane is also a fine course although comparing the two is kind of like apples to oranges.


Mike's photos of it give a fair impression of the course. The views are as panoramic and open as any other course in Scotland. Unfortunately the external views tend to overshadow what's going on on the course which offers some really good golf and, IMHO, the best golfing turf in Scotland, even if it doesn't have quite the amount of humps and bumps that overseas visitors tend to think that links golf is all about.


If push came to shove I'd probably favour NB/G1 over the other two although that said Carnoustie would be my pick of the bunch although I appreciate the stern test of golf and austere look of it isn't for everyone.


Niall

I like the pubs in St Andrews more than in North Berwick. 

[Niall C]

Bill


I'd agree with that. There's certainly more options in St Andrews but then I suppose it is a bigger town. There's no doubting though that each has its charm.


Sean


Count me in as one who rates Nairn and indeed to me it is clearly a level ahead of Brora.


Niall

[Marty Bonnar]

The talent levels in St Andrews easily outstrip every other town in Scotland.

Aside from that, I think it's hard to beat Kingsbarns for fun. In around a couple of hundred loops, I can't remember a single golfer who walked off disappointed. The quality of the caddies added to that, of course!

The FBD rating of the courses in question however, would go something like:

1. Kingsbarns
A fascinating lesson in modern construction with more than just a passing nod to classic design.
2. North Berwick
Glorious Fun!
3. Carnoustie
Until PV, the single most fun I ever had having my butt kicked by a golf course.
4. Gullane #1
GREAT, solid fun in an unparalleled location, in great condition, but second tier (only just!) to the above. Oh, and I don't think it's really worth the full tariff... Although KB is getting seriously expensive beyond my means!

F.