Edinburgh Flat this summer, Where to Golf?

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

My daughter and two of her classmates at the Royal "Dick" School of Veterinary Medicine have let a flat in South Edinburgh on Dalkeith Road starting next week.

Since I am paying for it anyway and none of them are using it in July or August and most of SeptemberI am thinking of setting up camp there around August and using it as a base for daily golf expeditions while also enjoying the Fringe festival.

Any ideas on where to play using South Edinburgh as my base station? I'm not looking to spend a fortune on daily fees and would like to strike a deal for bulk play at one classic links and also get in a few rounds at the the better known but much pricier daily fee courses like North Berwick, others in Fife and perhaps striking out towards Aberdeen.

It does not look too promising using rail transit out out Waverly Station for much of anything except North Berwick so I am thinking of letting a car to get around.

I see that Elie offers a fortnight ticket for 345 pounds sterling and it looks like with a car I could get there in a bit over an hour. Gullane has twilight fees on #2 and #3 that seem reasonable. I could join Goswick for about the cost of a fortnight ticket at Elie. There was also recent praise for West Lothian here. I have also contacted Gullane regarding an international membership and they are receptive but I'm not sure that I will fall head over heels in love with the three courses there based on what I read here on GCA.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Malcolm

[Sean_A]

My daughter and two of her classmates at the Royal "Dick" School of Veterinary Medicine have let a flat in South Edinburgh on Dalkeith Road starting next week.

Since I am paying for it anyway and none of them are using it in July or August and most of SeptemberI am thinking of setting up camp there around August and using it as a base for daily golf expeditions while also enjoying the Fringe festival.

Any ideas on where to play using South Edinburgh as my base station? I'm not looking to spend a fortune on daily fees and would like to strike a deal for bulk play at one classic links and also get in a few rounds at the the better known but much pricier daily fee courses like North Berwick, others in Fife and perhaps striking out towards Aberdeen.

It does not look too promising using rail transit out out Waverly Station for much of anything except North Berwick so I am thinking of letting a car to get around.

I see that Elie offers a fortnight ticket for 345 pounds sterling and it looks like with a car I could get there in a bit over an hour. Gullane has twilight fees on #2 and #3 that seem reasonable. I could join Goswick for about the cost of a fortnight ticket at Elie. There was also recent praise for West Lothian here. I have also contacted Gullane regarding an international membership and they are receptive but I'm not sure that I will fall head over heels in love with the three courses there based on what I read here on GCA.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Malcolm

Malcolm

You could always try to join Mussleburgh Old and get a season ticket.  Its not the best golf, but there are some cracking holes.  Its not too far from the flat and its cheap enough that its no sweat to play elsewhere. 

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

Agree with Sean on Mussleburgh. If you've not played a lot of links it's an ideal place to learn bump and run.   it may not be great but I think it's very good and it would be a lot better known if it were 18 holes.  |You can add a round of Hickories in too.

The bus takes about 1 hour to Gullane.  Twilight on 2&3 sounds great and well worth the money.  I think most of the objections to Gullane are around paying full whack for No1.  Warning, the buses don't run very late!


If you (or anyone reading) are interested I may be able to host you at North Berwick on either the 10th, 12th or 14th of August.   It depends how my other plans work out.  IM me if this is a possibility.

Though I've never played there, Braid Hills should be in the mix.  



Top 3 recommendations for the Fringe


1  Le Clique in the Speigel tent.  Fantastic variety show.
2  Ian De Montford - very clever and funny
3  Peter Straker.  Maybe not the best voice in the world but you'll never see better stagecraft. He has a new show this year.

The programme has just been mailed out but you can book online.  The top names sell out so you do need to plan - but leave some gaps for things you just hear about.


Alternating one day golfing and the next at the Festival. Life can be sweet.  Enjoy

[Thomas Dai]

I believe I've seen adverts for an Edinburgh-East Lothian visitors Golf Pass. Worth checking out.

See also the Scottish section of - http://www.golfempire.co.uk/ - for possible Open Comps while you're in that area.

Wee cars are pretty cheap to hire these days. One question though, have you got somewhere to park it near the flat?

atb

[Scott Warren]

Malcolm,

Are there any Open Weeks on while you're there? Great way to get to know a course (and its membership) for a good price.

North Berwick is good value for what you get and, even with the clubs at home, I can imagine the train out there from Edinburgh, an evening walk along the coastal holes and then beers on the clubhouse verandah at sunset would be a great way to spend a few hours.

[Jon Wiggett]

I would also have thought NB would be a good call and maybe their oversees/country membership might still be open and a good price. Otherwise the Mussleburgh Old and then GFs at some of the other courses in Edinburgh would be a good option.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Malcolm,

Are there any Open Weeks on while you're there? Great way to get to know a course (and its membership) for a good price.

North Berwick is good value for what you get and, even with the clubs at home, I can imagine the train out there from Edinburgh, an evening walk along the coastal holes and then beers on the clubhouse verandah at sunset would be a great way to spend a few hours.

More proof that memories are fading...you need to get back soon.


(What Verandah? )

[Scott Warren]

Can't you have a beer on the little verandah/balcony under the clock? If not,that bench to the side of the main door will do!

But yes - I definitely need to get back!

[Mark Pearce]

Goswick is great value.  Bear in mind, however, that it isn't easy to get to by public transport and it's a good 25/30 minutes further from Edinburgh than The East Lothian courses.  I'm almost certain to spend some time in Elie during your stay and would be happy to set up a game there and/or at Crail.

[Ken Moum]

Kilspindie is a lovely links course that's west of Gullane.  Someone we met last August called it a "proper" links, although I don't know what they meant, we enjoyed playing it.

And if you're in Edinburgh, there's no reason to avoid the courses in the city. We played Duddingston in a mixed comp, but I've been told Braid Hills is more interesting.

K

[Adam Lawrence]

Edinburgh traffic is gruesome. I wouldn't count on getting to Elie in an hour all the time. It could take a lot more.

[Steve Salmen]

Several years ago I played Goswick with the owner and the pro.  They were great to golf with and the course was really good.

[Mark Pearce]

Several years ago I played Goswick with the owner and the pro.  They were great to golf with and the course was really good.

I was under the impression that Goswick was owned by its membership.

[JNC Lyon]

A train to North Berwick is a great option.  If you only played North Berwick while Edinburgh, you'd probably be pretty happy.  If you want to broaden your golf horizons a bit, rent a car for a couple trips out to Gullane, Musselburgh, Luffness, and Kilspindie (this one looked really cool, although we only drove in to get a scorecard).

Musselburgh Old is also a must see just for the history.  My Dad and I are still kicking ourselves for not sneaking out for a kick 9 there.

I just checked it out, and the train trip to Prestwick is only 2 and half hours--much less than the trip from London.  Pencil it in for a day trip.

[Carson Pilcher]

Gullane, North Berwick, Kilspindie, Craigilaw, Braid Hills, Glen Club (NB East), Musselburgh Old

[Mark Chaplin]

Tony - Paul Craven and I had dinner and a good chat with Ian De Monfont after his show a couple of years ago. Very funny and clever guy.

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Is Prestonfield a fun track? Literally a few blocks from the flat playing at the bottom of Aurthur's Seat. It is a James Braid course and if you join you are entitled to discount greens fees at most of the Braid courses in the UK.

The train to North Berwick is about 30 minutes and you can walk from the station to the clubhouse easily. Would consider looking at an International membership there but I get the impression that there might be a long waiting list. I can email the club secretary and ask.

Regarding a car, yes, I have concerns on where to park it in the city. Also concerned about how long it really will take to get out to the Fife coast from South Edinburgh. Bus serves looks pretty dismal too.

I think that my daughter and friends spent a fair amount of time at the Underbelly tent in Bristo Square last year.

Thanks for the input!

Malcolm

[mike_beene]

I did not like Gulane  the first time I played it. After a few more visits it is one of my favorites. And the views are spectacular. I count one cool sunny day where we played 1 and 2 as my favorite in 50 years of golf.

[Steve Salmen]

Mark,

I was led to believe it was owned by a local farmer.

[Craig Sweet]

Ah yes, the Fringe Festival!  As a fan of the Bugle I would look forward to seeing  Andy Zaltzman at the festival....the heck with golf!

[Michael Graham]

Malcolm - as you say, Prestonfield is only a short walk from Dalkieth Rd. I played there a lot as a junior as I was learning the game. It's got a few interesting holes but the majority feel pretty similar to one another. It's an easy walking course that is worth playing if even only for its close proximity to where you are staying. I'm not sure, however,  I would look to join it for the summer.

Michael

[Simon Holt]

Malcolm,

I have a very busy summer ahead but I hope we can meet up for a pint or two at the very least.  You will be living about 5 minutes from my house.

Ok.  Get a car!

Play the Braids here in Edinburgh, about 4 minute drive from your flat.  Municipal, very cheap, lots of fun.  Bruntsfield and Royal Burgess are nice historic clubs and not too pricey.  You can get to all of these on the bus.

In East Lothian, play Musselburgh Old for the experience but then focus on Dunbar (40mins), Kilspindie (30 mins), Craigielaw (30mins) The Glen (40 mins) in that order for great value golf. Goswick (70mins, further afield but exceptional value for a round or the day. 

If you can get in at Gullane then 100% jump at that opportunity.  No. 1 and No. 2 have some really good holes and you will not be disappointed.  On busy days you can play No. 3.  Short with enough interest on the greens to keep you interested.  Since you will effectively be a member of 3 courses the value is off the charts.  You will always be able to get out on one of the courses.  It will no doubt be one of the best membership decisions you will make in terms of value and enjoyment.  Even if you can't get in as a member they have some great deals and I would rank all courses as good as the ones above.  No. 1 and No. 2 being a nose ahead.

Do the day ticket at North Berwick and you will love every minute.  Wait for great weather but its usually good down there.  Take the bus and train so you can have a few drinks.  Luffness New is in that price bracket too.  I'm a big fan of the greens there but NB is way ahead of all the courses mentioned.

Clearly Muirfield is worth it if you want to treat yourself.  Have a look at their website but I fear they may be fully booked for the whole year.  Expense to me is relative.  Yes, its expensive compared to the other Scottish courses but its a better course than Pebble Beach and much cheaper....and a quicker round.

There are better informed guys for Fife.  My Fife favourites outside of St.Andrews/Kingsbarns are Elie, Crail Balcomie and Scotscraig.  I can't remember much about Lundin or Leven other than I enjoyed them.  East Lothian is probably 30 minutes closer than any of the Fife courses from where you are staying.

Hope that helps.

Simon

[Niall C]

Malcolm,

Not much you can add beyond the words of wisdom from Simon. I would however add in one course down the coast that Simon didn't mention and that is Longniddry. Tony Muldoon and myself played it last year and fair to say we were both impressed and had fun in equal measure. Good value for money as well from what I remember.

Simon

Re Royal Burgess - can't imagine there's many that show up there by public transport 

Niall

[Rich Goodale]

Malcolm

If you want a game at my home course (Aberdour--it's a 30 minute train ride from Waverly) give me a ping when you get over here,

Bon Voyage

Rich

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Thanks to all of you!

Malcolm