East Lothian golf trip

[Niall C]

Ben


I figured you'd played the US links courses (which I haven't played BTW) and the reason I asked whether you'd played over here was trying to figure out what your expectations might be. In my imagination and from photos I've seen of Cabot and the likes they tend to have a lot more movement than you might find at Gullane or NB. There's plenty of elevational change as you play over the hill at Gullane however a lot of the greens are at grade and the movement is more subtle rather than wild.


That said, G3 greens are very good but the greens on the clubhouse side of the road at Luffness New are my favourites. IIRC you are quite a big bloke and therefore likely to hit a pretty good ball. You might therefore find G3 a bit short however if you don't mind hitting a lot of short to mid irons into tricky greens then you'll have a blast.


I really don't think you can go too far wrong although I'd maybe leave Longniddry for another trip. If doing 36 in one day then I might be tempted to play 2 Gullane courses just to save having to move clubhouse between rounds.


Niall

[Ben Sims]

Niall,


Thank you Niall. I do hit the ball hard, but not at all straight. I’ll be spending the next eight months learning how to hit a 4-iron down a hallway in preparation. Your words help me visualize what might be the best fit. This won’t be my last trip to the area, so I’m not super concerned about fitting everything in. I just want to walk, play, eat, drink and be merry.

[Marty Bonnar]

Ben, I note you’re staying in Aberlady. Will that be at Duck’s? If so, have a word with Malcolm. He might be able to sort ‘something’ out for you.
Cheers,
F.
PS Try to get to Archie’s museum in Gullane if it’s still open.

[Sean_A]

Ben, I note you’re staying in Aberlady. Will that be at Duck’s? If so, have a word with Malcolm. He might be able to sort ‘something’ out for you.
Cheers,
F.
PS Try to get to Archie’s museum in Gullane if it’s still open.

The museum is open, the Gullane pro manages it (I think...he did last time I saw it). Although, without the infectious Archie about the place it isn't the same. Its still worth seeing!


Ciao

[Ben Sims]

Ben, I note you’re staying in Aberlady. Will that be at Duck’s? If so, have a word with Malcolm. He might be able to sort ‘something’ out for you.
Cheers,
F.
PS Try to get to Archie’s museum in Gullane if it’s still open.

Marty,


We were unable to book The Ducks, they were missing availability on one of our four nights and we didn’t want to relocate. So we are staying at the Old Aberlady a few doors down. It doesn’t have the cachet of The Ducks with the golf crowd, but it seems to be reasonable and representative of the kind of trip I want this time. My wife has already eyeballed The Greywalls or The Marine for our next visit.

[Marty Bonnar]

Ben,
All good. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Craigielaw. It’s very handy for Aberlady (just over the wall from Kilspindie). You’ll see it when you play there. I played it years ago and wasn’t very sure, but it played it again this year and quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit big and muscly (early Tom MacKenzie design) with a lot of movement around the greens, but quite good fun - and a refreshing change from ‘the links’.
Cheers,
F.

[Josh Bills]

Ben,


I started my only trip to Scotland by getting off the plane and driving directly to play 36 on Gullane 2 and 3.  It was a wonderful introduction and the visitor clubhouse, while probably not as steeped in history was perfect as it had lockers and a shower which were nice to have available. 


I loved the courses and heading up the hill and then seeing the views, it is a lovely place.  I wanted to play Gullane 1, but they had competitions the one day I had available, and I'm glad I played Gullane 2 and 3, they were a lovely way to spend the day.  I played as a single and every group I met was kind and chatty as I played through. 


Here is my breakfast view.





And the amazing sky the day I arrived.




I also played The Glen Club as a single before my round at North Berwick and enjoyed it.  It was a picturesque morning spot and nobody was there.  The pro was kind enough to let me out before play that day, and it was greatly appreciated. 







I loved Kilspinde and am very envious of your trip.  Here are a few from there. 






I've not played Luffness or Musselburgh, but that region seemed particularly blessed with great courses and imagine they would be lovely to play. 

[Ben Sims]

Josh,


Thank you for that. I’m having fun planning this trip. It’s a refreshing and altogether exceedingly different way of planning a golf trip from my heyday of architecture study years ago. The best advice I’ve gotten so far is to call directly to the clubs themselves for booking. It’s an introduction to the kind and magnanimous way in which visitors are treated in Scotland.

[Mark Pearce]

They're all good options but, if you don't know when you're coming back, Gullane 1 is a must before 2 or 3.  If you really want to play 2 courses, my choice would be Luffness, lunch there, then Gullane 1.

[Michael Moore]

"the last ten are more pedestrian as they occupy less interesting land, devoid of random humps and bumps and without superlative interior green contouring" - a famous golf writer on Kilspindie, that's a lot of holes in a row, caveat emptor

[MCirba]

I haven't played courses 2 and 3 but if you don't fall in love with Gullane #1 you may want to check your pulse.

[Michael Whitaker]

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?

Tony  - I've heard some of the members I play with at Gullane refer to Muirfield as "No. 5." "No. 4" was Luffness New.    It's all in good fun.

[Michael Whitaker]

Ben,
All good. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Craigielaw. It’s very handy for Aberlady (just over the wall from Kilspindie). You’ll see it when you play there. I played it years ago and wasn’t very sure, but it played it again this year and quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit big and muscly (early Tom MacKenzie design) with a lot of movement around the greens, but quite good fun - and a refreshing change from ‘the links’.
Cheers,
F.

NOOOOOOO Craigielaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awful.

[Michael Whitaker]

Josh,


Thank you for that. I’m having fun planning this trip. It’s a refreshing and altogether exceedingly different way of planning a golf trip from my heyday of architecture study years ago. The best advice I’ve gotten so far is to call directly to the clubs themselves for booking. It’s an introduction to the kind and magnanimous way in which visitors are treated in Scotland.

Ben - check your private messages.

[Marty Bonnar]

Ben,
All good. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Craigielaw. It’s very handy for Aberlady (just over the wall from Kilspindie). You’ll see it when you play there. I played it years ago and wasn’t very sure, but it played it again this year and quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit big and muscly (early Tom MacKenzie design) with a lot of movement around the greens, but quite good fun - and a refreshing change from ‘the links’.
Cheers,
F.

NOOOOOOO Craigielaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awful.

It may have been the great company. We laughed and joked the whole way round, had a blast and I even played semi-decently. That ALWAYS improves my ‘F’ rating! 
Love’n’hugs,
M.

[Sean_A]

Ben,
All good. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Craigielaw. It’s very handy for Aberlady (just over the wall from Kilspindie). You’ll see it when you play there. I played it years ago and wasn’t very sure, but it played it again this year and quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit big and muscly (early Tom MacKenzie design) with a lot of movement around the greens, but quite good fun - and a refreshing change from ‘the links’.
Cheers,
F.

NOOOOOOO Craigielaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awful.

Why?

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

"the last ten are more pedestrian as they occupy less interesting land, devoid of random humps and bumps and without superlative interior green contouring" - a famous golf writer on Kilspindie, that's a lot of holes in a row, caveat emptor

Maybe compared to what's just gone, but anyone who doesn't love 17 is missing something. In fact I'd describe the finishing trio as a fine combo and with the finish as tight to the clubhouse as any I've seen.
Anyone passing up Kilspindie because it's not a 'Championship' links is missing a great round of golf. Don't dismiss Kilspindie.

[Ben Sims]

"the last ten are more pedestrian as they occupy less interesting land, devoid of random humps and bumps and without superlative interior green contouring" - a famous golf writer on Kilspindie, that's a lot of holes in a row, caveat emptor

Maybe compared to what's just gone, but anyone who doesn't love 17 is missing something. In fact I'd describe the finishing trio as a fine combo and with the finish as tight to the clubhouse as any I've seen.
Anyone passing up Kilspindie because it's not a 'Championship' links is missing a great round of golf. Don't dismiss Kilspindie.

No concern there, finalized Kilspindie this morning as our last round before flying home, which is what I wanted. There’s a distinct chance that if I had a “Kilspindie” nearby, I wouldn’t have put down golf for a few years. 

[Ally Mcintosh]

For what it’s worth, on my recent trip seeing the following three courses for the first time, I found Kilspindie slightly overrated, Dunbar and Gullane 3 slightly underrated.


Kilspindie is still an excellent round of golf if you don’t go expecting too much. Some lovely holes and good variety in features.

[MCirba]

Sorry.  Wrong thread.  Deleted.

[Sean_A]

For what it’s worth, on my recent trip seeing the following three courses for the first time, I found Kilspindie slightly overrated, Dunbar and Gullane 3 slightly underrated.


Kilspindie is still an excellent round of golf if you don’t go expecting too much. Some lovely holes and good variety in features.

I agree.

Ciao

[Michael Whitaker]

Ben,
All good. I don’t think anyone has mentioned Craigielaw. It’s very handy for Aberlady (just over the wall from Kilspindie). You’ll see it when you play there. I played it years ago and wasn’t very sure, but it played it again this year and quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit big and muscly (early Tom MacKenzie design) with a lot of movement around the greens, but quite good fun - and a refreshing change from ‘the links’.
Cheers,
F.

NOOOOOOO Craigielaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awful.

Why?

Ciao

I just found it to be a terrible course... greens completely over the top for no apparent reason. Just absolutely goofy greens. Nothing "linksy" about the place. I would not go back for any reason.

[Marty Bonnar]

Which begs the obvious question. Is Craigielaw better - or worse - than Archerfield???……….
 
F.

[Michael Whitaker]

Which begs the obvious question. Is Craigielaw better - or worse - than Archerfield???……….
 
F.

I've never played the Archerfield courses, so I can't compare or comment.