East Lothian golf trip

[Jon Wiggett]

Symon,


admittedly it has been a few years since I have played #1 as I have played 2 & 3 the last three occasions I visited. #1 has a really solid routing and rhythm to it. It also has an excellent set of green complexes and is set on an interesting piece of land so there are the positives. The negatives for me are that after the first hole the second is so narrow that it is devoid of any interest and this theme continues on through most of the rest of the course. My impression from the 10 or so times I played it was that they should double the width of the playing corridor and the area around the greens.


The last time I played there in 2012 the rough was so dense that anything off the mown area was a guaranteed lost ball. Given that there was a 3 club wind and the fairway/semi was 25 to 35 yards across it was not a fun round. It is a shame as it really should be a very good course. Just my opinion though.


Jon

[Bill Brightly]

Thanks guys! One of the best things I've learned on GCA.COM is how to plan a golf trip. Don't be a belt-notcher and don't try to drive all over Scotland (or Ireland) in an insane effort to tick off top-rated courses. In other words, on't book the trip I planned 30 years ago when I was stupid... Four more trips to Ireland and two to Scotland, I figured it out! Four years ago my "crew" from my club in New Jersey asked me to plan a trip to Scotland. All 10 handicaps or less, definitely a belt-notching bunch...I said: "fine, but I'm picking the golf courses and I don't want to hear any suggestions. Just in or out." I chose to fly in and out Glasgow, told them we'll be playing Royal Troon and Turnberry plus some courses I know they'll enjoy... Gave them the itinerary when we landed...Threw in Prestwick, Dundonald and Western Gailes and the guys loved the trip. (Gailes surprised them, it tied for first when I took a poll at the end of the trip. ) No long drives. I gave everyone one morning off and four guys called Dundonald without asking me... hired a taxi, and squeezed in an extra 18 holes before we drove to Turnberry!


However, I'm just a tag-along on this trip. I know Drumbarnie is not in EL but it certainly will be a course that will get a lot of discussion, so I'm happy to make this drive on one of the days.


Thanks, I sensed that Kilspindie is one I won't want to miss. I will suggest that to the organizer (a native Scot transplanted in the US!) as an option for a second 18 on days when that is a possibility. But not everyone on this trip can walk 36.


We are staying at a house near Muirfield, not Greywalls or Archerfield.


Another long-time poster/friend on this site is a Yank and a member at Gullane. He contacted me so I will definitely re-connect with him at the beginning or end of the trip.

[Mark Chaplin]

Gullane 1 at £155 is vastly overpriced especially compared to Gullane 2 at £62. I’d play 2 over 1 any day and have a damned good dinner with the difference.

[Marty Bonnar]

Bill,
It’s not Drumbarnie, it’s Dumbarnie.
But
Are you sure it’s not Dunbar you’re playing?
F.

[Simon Holt]

Gullane 1 at £155 is vastly overpriced especially compared to Gullane 2 at £62. I’d play 2 over 1 any day and have a damned good dinner with the difference.

Hi Mark,


Not to take this into a price based discussion as we all have different views on that based on many factors, but in this case is it because you feel there is not much between the two courses so No.2 is better bang for buck?  Or do you think No.2 is just better as a course, regardless of price?


If the latter, what do you think makes it superior to No.1?  I think the highlights of No.2 I mentioned earlier wouldn't be out of place on No.1 but I couldn't say that 2 is better than 1.


Simon

[Simon Holt]

Symon,


admittedly it has been a few years since I have played #1 as I have played 2 & 3 the last three occasions I visited. #1 has a really solid routing and rhythm to it. It also has an excellent set of green complexes and is set on an interesting piece of land so there are the positives. The negatives for me are that after the first hole the second is so narrow that it is devoid of any interest and this theme continues on through most of the rest of the course. My impression from the 10 or so times I played it was that they should double the width of the playing corridor and the area around the greens.


The last time I played there in 2012 the rough was so dense that anything off the mown area was a guaranteed lost ball. Given that there was a 3 club wind and the fairway/semi was 25 to 35 yards across it was not a fun round. It is a shame as it really should be a very good course. Just my opinion though.


Jon

Jon,


I'd agree with the sentiment on the rough.  2012 was particularly bad at all of the East Lothian courses - I played a 3 days foursomes event at Gullane that June and any ball 5 yards off the fairway was effectively lost, even with playing partners walking ahead.


Simon

[Sean_A]

Simon

I don't think 2 is a polished as 1 in terms of detail. However, I can't say that about 3. The biggest difference is the large disparity in course yardage. In other words, modern equipment has compromised the design for better players.

Happy Hockey

[Mark Pearce]

1s the best course of the three Gullane GC courses.  But that makes it the 4th best course in the town of Gullane.  And in terms of value, I'm with Mark C, 2 is far, far better value.  1 has memorable holes, for sure, but memorable for the views, not the golf.

[David Jones]

Bill,


You've got a great trip lined up and since you're along for the ride there is no real point in suggesting changes to what your organiser has in the books.  You'll love it!


More generally, if someone was to ask me for East Lothian trip advise for a week coming from the US, then this would be it:


Monday:
Arrive into EDI, play Dunbar to kill the one drive of the trip (only 40 mins from EDI, then 20 mins to NB after the round), stay in North Berwick for the 5 nights - lots of options for a bed, food and drink - plus the train into Edinburgh.

.....................

Simon's post nails it when it comes to 5 days in East Lothian. I would also endorse staying in North Berwick for the duration as you will get more of an atmosphere, just make sure you get a couple of drinks/meals in in Gullane too.


In the summer nowhere is cheap any more, in the last 2 or 3 years Scottish green fees have really shot up (possibly as a result of the £ has devaluing........). If you come in shoulder season the green fees can be more acceptable and April is the driest month of the year.

[Adam Lawrence]

My qualm about Gullane is the nature of the welcome. I have an intense distaste for being shoved off into a separate 'visitors' clubhouse. Contrast this with North Berwick, where your green fee ticket says 'We see you as a temporary member of our club; please come and socialise with our members in the clubhouse'. I know where I'd rather be.

[Simon Holt]

Adam,


I'm delighted to hear you always receive a warm welcome at North Berwick but you'll be pleased to know that if you play No.1, you are now granted access to the members clubhouse at Gullane.


No.2 and No.3 is over at the visitor clubhouse which actually makes more sense given it's location.


Simon

[Michael Whitaker]

Adam,


I'm delighted to hear you always receive a warm welcome at North Berwick but you'll be pleased to know that if you play No.1, you are now granted access to the members clubhouse at Gullane.


No.2 and No.3 is over at the visitor clubhouse which actually makes more sense given it's location.


Simon

Simon,


I think also has to do with the volume of play. No way the members clubhouse could handle three courses full of visitors. I’ve always thought the visitors clubhouse was a good alternative for a positive experience after a game on 2 or 3. They seem to take personal service seriously and try to make you feel welcome. Gulllane is a bit of a different animal from a “normal” members club in that it operates much more like a resort facility. Shame Adam has had such a poor experience.

[Ira Fishman]

My qualm about Gullane is the nature of the welcome. I have an intense distaste for being shoved off into a separate 'visitors' clubhouse. Contrast this with North Berwick, where your green fee ticket says 'We see you as a temporary member of our club; please come and socialise with our members in the clubhouse'. I know where I'd rather be.

When you factor in the quality of the course, the setting in the town, and the welcoming nature of the club (genuinely delightful conversation with everyone from the starter to the bartender), it is awfully difficult to top North Berwick for the overall experience. And the quality of the golf shop is top flight too.


Having said that, checking in at the little shop behind the clubhouse with the two women running it at the time at Kilspindie was a truly special treat.


Ira

[Sean_A]

I side more with Adam. Clubs which have separate visitors bars or in the case of Gullane, house, are imo suspect. Gullane's house is one of my favourites, but I haven't seen the newish work done to it. Of course there are theoretical exceptions to the suspect rule and having a separate drinking hole in G's case probably makes sense in the summer months. Still, it rankles and doesn't incline me toward making Gullane a course high on my list to revisit.

Merry Christmas

[Mark Chaplin]

Simon unfortunately I am cost conscious so it does figure in my view of a course. Gullane 1 is the better course but it’s £155 a round compared to £62 on Gullane 2, it’s certainly not 2.5x better.


I’m a massive fan of the Old Course and working there last year gave me the opportunity to study the course in depth.  I’ve not paid full green fee there for 15 years and would play the New at £84 over the Old at £190. Kingsbarns is £312 next year and Dunbarnie a difficult to justify £230 for a brand new course in 2020. The New Course gives you wonderful turf and the St Andrews experience for a decent price.

[Ben Sims]

Reviving an oldie-ish thread and seeing if anything has changed since Covid changed our lives.

My friend and I have three days of golf in EL in June next summer, a Wed-Fri jaunt. Our first trip to Scotland. Staying in Aberlady. We took the home team advice and have 36 at NB on Thursday. I booked Dunbar/Kilspindie to close out our trip on Friday. That leaves us Wednesday and this thread has me satisfactorily perplexed. I sent a note to Renaissance Club, mostly cause I’ve never played any of Tom’s courses overseas and feel like I need to. Muirfield is a no go. Which leaves several courses (Gullane’s triumvirate, Luffness, Musselburgh, Glen) vying for our attention.

Assuming Renaissance is a no-go, what courses would you informed folks play that one day? Based on what’s been written here, my thought is Luffness and Gullane No 3. It seems there isn’t much distance between any of these courses.

[mike_malone]

I think that North Berwick a third time is the best idea.

[Niall C]

I think that North Berwick a third time is the best idea.

No

[Mike Worth]

I think that North Berwick a third time is the best idea.

If staying in Aberlady, consider playing Longniddry.


Or Gullane 2 or 3.


I played all 3 in early September.  Would play them again.

[Niall C]

Ben


Geographically you couldn't be much closer than the Gullane courses and Luffness New. Personally as much as I'm a fan of Luffness New I'd go for Gullane 3. It just depends what you are used to. Is this your first trip to play links ?


Niall 

[Michael Chadwick]

I found Gullane #1 to be the best of the 3, but would play more at #2 if it was my club. Deciding between that line of best vs. personal fit can be tricky when you only have so many rounds on a trip. But if you're only going to play one round at Gullane, I don't recommend it being #3.   

[Ben Sims]

Ben


Geographically you couldn't be much closer than the Gullane courses and Luffness New. Personally as much as I'm a fan of Luffness New I'd go for Gullane 3. It just depends what you are used to. Is this your first trip to play links ?


Niall

Thanks Niall. Yes it is my first trip to Scotland for proper links, though I’ve played our American “links” options quite a bit. How embarrassing that is just to admit after all these years.


I probably should’ve worded my question better. Luffness New, Gullane No 1, Gullane No 2, Gullane 3, Longniddry; pick two for a 36 hole day.


I really like the idea of No 3 by the way. When Tom D writes that No 3’s green are as good as anything in EL, I pay attention.

[Tony_Muldoon]

What's not been mentioned is the quality of the turf at Gullane, it plays beautifully. If the wind blows you'll enjoy runing the ball in. Their 36 hole, two course, deal is a rare examples of VFM these days and a great days golf. Make sure you include No 3 as it offers something different to the others.


That's quite a walk, so electric trolleys are good fun if you're never tried them before.


Agree with the points made 're 1 vs. 2. But if you're thinking you might never get back, go For 1.(And 3).



I like the vibe at The Old Clubhouse pub\restaurant in Gullane and - and for groups they offer a complimentary minibus shuttle. And if you get lucky with a day at The Renaissance Club, best food of any clubhouse I've visited.


Incidentally there's a guy at my London club who grew up playing golf in Gullane several decades ago.  When I told him I'd got lucky and was off to play at the Honourable Co. He said they always called it "No.4" . 
He can't recall if that was a local thing, or just among his mates. Anyone else heard this?

[Daryl David]

Gullane #3. Don’t miss it. Great greens.

[Sean_A]

What's not been mentioned is the quality of the turf at Gullane, it plays beautifully. If the wind blows you'll enjoy runing the ball in. Their 36 hole, two course, deal is a rare examples of VFM these days and a great days golf. Make sure you include No 3 as it offers something different to the others.


That's quite a walk, so electric trolleys are good fun if you're never tried them before.


Agree with the points made 're 1 vs. 2. But if you're thinking you might never get back, go For 1.(And 3).



I like the vibe at The Old Clubhouse pub\restaurant in Gullane and - and for groups they offer a complimentary minibus shuttle. And if you get lucky with a day at The Renaissance Club, best food of any clubhouse I've visited.


Incidentally there's a guy at my London club who grew up playing golf in Gullane several decades ago.  When I told him I'd got lucky and was off to play at the Honourable Co. He said they always called it "No.4" . 
He can't recall if that was a local thing, or just among his mates. Anyone else heard this?

Yes, I have heard Muirfield referred to as #4.

Gullane 1 and 3 is the way to go.

Ciao