Craigielaw Golf Club?

FairwayDodger

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Hi Forum,

I'm looking for thoughts / opinions on Craigielaw. Anyone played it? Anyone a member? I'm toying with enquiring about membership....

Thanks!
 

Hobbit

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I've played it and enjoyed it. There's a few members on another forum, golf magic I think. Andys is one, zombie the other - nice guys.
 
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I enjoyed it. Thought it was a decent test of golf. A good practice area and nice clubhouse. I wouldn't imagine you'd be disappointed in the course or facilities.
 

CMAC

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also enjoyed it, I thought the first was a really tough par 3 until I'd played it and was told its a short par 4, tough wee green to hold.
decent practice facilities and clubhouse..........
However, I have to say, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but I felt there was something missing, maybe atmosphere or ambience, it just felt quite big and soulless in the clubhouse. Dont let it put you off, just felt I had to mention it, only been there 3 times though and enjoyed it each time.
 

Colin L

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I've yet to play Craigielaw in decent weather, the worst experience having been with the GolfMagic guys that Hobbit mentions above - driven off the first by a ferocious squall, we returned to the course later and battled our way through gale force winds. I was still damp from the first sortie and never really got warmed up. That being said it is indeed an enjoyable course with tricky greens to hold on and many elements of links golf. It advertises as a links course but I would quibble that it isn't 100% links. No matter, it's a good course and far from easy which these members mentioned would recommend. The facilities are very good but I understand DarthVega's point as the lounge is maybe more like a hotel lounge than one with the "feel" of a clubhouse. You can warm up with a bucket of balls on the practice range off turf, so that's really good.

Literally over the dyke is Kilspindie which is a much older links course that I like a lot. The clubhouse there is also older and certainly has a cosy club feel to it!
 

Wayman

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were you there same day as me colin?

ive played it once was blowing like mad the wind was very tough
greens were very good and it had some very diffcult holes
love to play it again on a carm day

were are you currently a member at FD?
 

Foxholer

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I was a member for 4 years in a couple of sessions in the 'noughties'.

Really good course, if slightly contrived greens. No really fantastic holes, but some quite interesting ones with distinct strategy options and a wonderful place to play golf. Great practice facilities and clubhouse - though I can understand Darth's 'some atmosphere missing' thought. Fantastic views - 5 other courses from many fairways, Fife across the water, Arthur's Seat at sunset is magnificent, as are the hares, the geese landing in squadrons and other birds!

My equivalent of Craw's love of Macrahanish and a candidate for distribution of my ashes!

Not entirely sure what the environment is like for Ladies though.
 
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FairwayDodger

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Sounds encouraging although perhaps I should look for a course with better weather! :)

I play at liberton in Edinburgh but have been considering joining an east Lothian links for a while. Don't currently have the contacts for gullane, still thinking about kilspindie, probably would already have joined Dunbar if not for their joining fee....
 

Heidi

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Not my fave east lothian course
greens are not 'natural' and impossible to read. but i guess you would get used to them
clubhouse is great - food is ace
changing rooms - no bad
pro shop - not for us wifies!
practice facilities are top notch

the course has some nice holes - but i find myself wistfully looking over the wall at kilspindie...

not sure why you think craigielaw is any cheaper than Dunbar - its fees are knocking on £1k, Dunbar is about the same - and an infinitely better course

get yourself a game and see what you think tho!
 

FairwayDodger

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Yeah it's not as simple as the relative costs. I haven't ruled out Dunbar but there are other factors against it. What I meant was that without the joining fee it'd be priced at a level I might have taken a punt at instead of hesitating.

I'm not sure kilspindie is for me. Its years since i played it, mind you, and i did enjoy it but I'm looking for a longer course. One thing putting me off craigielaw is that it's also fairly short off the reds but at least it's a bit longer and has the option of playing practice games off the longer tees.
 

FairwayDodger

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Not really.

its on the coast but not a full Links. Its mainly parkland.

You will enjoy it, especially the Par 3 just before you cross the road

I'm sure I will. Not one to join though - in the short term at least I'll be keeping my membership on my current parkland course so looking for something different!
 

Doon frae Troon

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Longniddry is one of my favourite courses, half links, half pine tree parks.

If you are looking at a 'members' club Kilspindie and Longniddry are better options.
If you are looking for competitive play and a choice of three courses Gullane ladies. Probably not too difficult to get in know with the Archerfield courses spreading the membership load. Worth asking.
 

FairwayDodger

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Longniddry is one of my favourite courses, half links, half pine tree parks.

If you are looking at a 'members' club Kilspindie and Longniddry are better options.
If you are looking for competitive play and a choice of three courses Gullane ladies. Probably not too difficult to get in know with the Archerfield courses spreading the membership load. Worth asking.

Gullane would probably be my ideal choice but they seem to still be quite strict about applicants getting referred etc. It's probably worth asking, however!

Not too bothered about the "members club" aspects.... I get plenty of that at my current place! Really want to play more golf on a longer (tougher) course and hopefully improve!
 

Heidi

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I'm sure I will. Not one to join though - in the short term at least I'll be keeping my membership on my current parkland course so looking for something different!
Longniddry wont suit you!
i was a member there for the winter
it might be long for the men with no par 5s - but they give us ladies 5 par 4s as par 5s and that cuts down its distance ( i lost count of the times i was on the 2nd green in 2 putting for an eagle)
the ladies section is OK - but there arent many of them - and i was told in no uncertain terms that 'the longniddry ladies dont play with the men' Plus its £800 to join and £700 subs - so pricey!

Gullane might be interested in you if you can make their team - they like low hcappers!

If you just want long - Damahoy east
if you want difficult - one of those daft ones up a hill like Torphin hill or lothianburn
 
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FairwayDodger

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Gullane might be interested in you if you can make their team - they like low hcappers!

Plenty of better players than me at Gullane (which is another attraction TBH) so I doubt that'd open doors for me.... especially now I've crept up to 8 after our first medal grr!

Have already been toying with this idea for about a year.... if I keep procrastinating there's a few members who will have known me long enough to propose me next year! :smirk:
 
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