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Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #50 on: October 26, 2022, 07:08:01 AM »
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

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #51 on: October 26, 2022, 09:32:37 AM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #52 on: October 26, 2022, 09:44:17 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2022, 09:46:16 AM by Marty Bonnar »
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #53 on: October 26, 2022, 09:56:56 AM »
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
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #54 on: October 26, 2022, 10:18:40 AM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #55 on: October 26, 2022, 10:24:57 AM »
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.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Josh Bills

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #56 on: October 26, 2022, 10:36:44 AM »
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

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #57 on: October 26, 2022, 10:43:41 AM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #58 on: October 26, 2022, 02:14:04 PM »
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.
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Michael Moore

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #59 on: October 26, 2022, 02:51:13 PM »
"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
Metaphor is social and shares the table with the objects it intertwines and the attitudes it reconciles. Opinion, like the Michelin inspector, dines alone. - Adam Gopnik, The Table Comes First

MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #60 on: October 26, 2022, 03:18:16 PM »
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.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #61 on: October 26, 2022, 03:28:36 PM »
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.  ;D  It's all in good fun.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #62 on: October 26, 2022, 03:35:16 PM »
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.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #63 on: October 26, 2022, 03:36:50 PM »
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.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Marty Bonnar

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #64 on: October 26, 2022, 06:03:17 PM »
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.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #65 on: October 27, 2022, 02:42:45 AM »
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
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #66 on: October 27, 2022, 04:11:42 AM »
"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.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2022, 04:13:23 AM by Tony_Muldoon »
Let's make GCA grate again!

Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #67 on: October 27, 2022, 10:41:15 AM »
"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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #68 on: October 28, 2022, 12:16:12 PM »
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

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #69 on: October 28, 2022, 01:18:24 PM »
Sorry.  Wrong thread.  Deleted.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2022, 01:20:34 PM by MCirba »
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #70 on: October 28, 2022, 02:51:05 PM »
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
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #71 on: October 28, 2022, 03:00:57 PM »
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.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Marty Bonnar

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #72 on: October 28, 2022, 03:43:31 PM »
Which begs the obvious question. Is Craigielaw better - or worse - than Archerfield???……….
 :-*
F.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Michael Whitaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: East Lothian golf trip
« Reply #73 on: October 28, 2022, 04:33:58 PM »
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.
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

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