Golf trip around Scottish Open

[KenL]

And has one of my favourite par 3s in the 8th.

Best par 3 in East Lothian for me.
Here is a picture, a bit grainy as I had to compress massively to be accepted on this ancient forum platform.

 

[The Squirrel]

Just coming back to this thread to thank everyone for the really helpful advice.

We are now playing Eyemouth the day before the Scottish Open as we pass on the way up.
We are playing Gullane 2 and Gullane 3 on two different days during the event (G2 a bit over budget but I cracked when they said 50% off for juniors ). Playing the courses in the morning so will get over to watch how we should have done it at the Rennaisance in the afternoons.

Looking forward to it already!

So the trip in this thread has come around so I thought I’d post some feedback as everyone was so kind in offering suggestions.

Did Eyemouth today. Top marks for the clubhouse which has brilliant views, lovely food and very friendly service. Needs a bigger car park though. Bit stingy that no discount offered to juniors but £45/round seemed very reasonable so I’ll let them off.

Random thoughts; 6th and 7th are the signature cliffside holes I guess; played 6th beautifully hitting across the cliffs for a par and the 7th very unbeautifully for a double. Was fun to play what is apparently Scotland’s longest hole, the Hawk Ness Monster at 600+ even off the yellows (650+ off the back), but as it is significantly downhill and was down wind it was actually just a pitch in with shot 3 despite me being far from a monster hitter. The par 4 15th at 450 the other way uphill into a significant wind was a much tougher hole; no chance of me getting there in two.

No complaints with course condition; all very tidy.

As a relative golf playing newb used to tight tree flanked parklands and new to Links golf (yes I know Eyemouth is sort of not quite a true links course) I have some general thoughts on Scottish links(ish) courses but might post that on a new thread after playing the two Gullane courses and seeing if my thoughts are confirmed.

Spectating tomorrow. Trying to persuade my offspring that it’s worth getting up early enough to watch Scheffler’s 8.30 tee time is proving challenging .

 

[Rlburnside]

So the trip in this thread has come around so I thought I’d post some feedback as everyone was so kind in offering suggestions.

Did Eyemouth today. Top marks for the clubhouse which has brilliant views, lovely food and very friendly service. Needs a bigger car park though. Bit stingy that no discount offered to juniors but £45/round seemed very reasonable so I’ll let them off.

Random thoughts; 6th and 7th are the signature cliffside holes I guess; played 6th beautifully hitting across the cliffs for a par and the 7th very unbeautifully for a double. Was fun to play what is apparently Scotland’s longest hole, the Hawk Ness Monster at 600+ even off the yellows (650+ off the back), but as it is significantly downhill and was down wind it was actually just a pitch in with shot 3 despite me being far from a monster hitter. The par 4 15th at 450 the other way uphill into a significant wind was a much tougher hole; no chance of me getting there in two.

No complaints with course condition; all very tidy.

As a relative golf playing newb used to tight tree flanked parklands and new to Links golf (yes I know Eyemouth is sort of not quite a true links course) I have some general thoughts on Scottish links(ish) courses but might post that on a new thread after playing the two Gullane courses and seeing if my thoughts are confirmed.

Spectating tomorrow. Trying to persuade my offspring that it’s worth getting up early enough to watch Scheffler’s 8.30 tee time is proving challenging .

I’ll be keeping an eye out for your thoughts of Gullene 2/3 as I’m considering playing there in September, but wow the price to play Gullene 1.

I hosted a member from North Berwick and he’s offered to host at his club, but again the cost to play these clubs £285 for NB.

He said he can sign me in for £15

Hope you and your daughter enjoy your time at the Scottish Open.

 

[KenL]

Gullane 1 is not worth the huge fee. Gullane 2 is just as good for a fraction of the fee.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@The Squirrel pleased you enjoyed Eyemouth. I'm hoping for some links controversy, always fun. You are teasing us with this .

Great weather for you, hopefully you get a sea breeze to keep the temps manageable

 

[KenL]

If going to Scot Open. Factor in a lengthy wait for the bag search or don’t bring a bag.

 

[AliMc]

Gullane 1 is not worth the huge fee. Gullane 2 is just as good for a fraction of the fee.

I really can't put my finger on it but I've always preferred 2 over 1 at Gullane

 

[sunshine]

Great weather for you, hopefully you get a sea breeze to keep the temps manageable

Steady on, it's only 23 degrees in Edinburgh today, hardly "unmanageable". I reckon 23-25 is my perfect temperature for golf, not too hot but nice enough for shorts etc.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Steady on, it's only 23 degrees in Edinburgh today, hardly "unmanageable". I reckon 23-25 is my perfect temperature for golf, not too hot but nice enough for shorts etc.

Depends how it builds up in the afternoon.

I'd take it down a few degrees. 20⁰c is spot on for me. 23-25⁰c is starting to get uncomfortable. I struggle in the heat, no retirement to the Med for me

 

[GreiginFife]

I really can't put my finger on it but I've always preferred 2 over 1 at Gullane

No.2 gives a good test of golf with some very good holes without the ridiculous length of No.1.

I do still enjoy playing 1 though, the 2nd is a favourite of mine with that long narrow and sloping green.

 

[KenL]

No.2 gives a good test of golf with some very good holes without the ridiculous length of No.1.

I do still enjoy playing 1 though, the 2nd is a favourite of mine with that long narrow and sloping green.

Par 4 4th is the best hole on all 3 Gullane courses imo.

Edit… I hate that 2nd hole on Gullane 1.

 

[GreiginFife]

Par 4 4th is the best hole on all 3 Gullane courses imo.

Edit… I hate that 2nd hole on Gullane 1.

Be a strange world of golf if we all liked the same holes.

 

[Backache]

I've played No2 an awful lot more than No1 and wouldn't like to compare them but it used to be my favourite value links course.
It has got a lot pricier over the years and the fourth is indeed a superb hole. The Firth of Forth opens up in front and the line of bunkers short of the gree mean you need your drive.

 

[The Squirrel]

Day2 of the trip. Spent a fair chunk of the day following Calum Hill and Padraig Harrington because I know and like Harrington from his outstanding career while Squirreel kitten knows and likes him from Paddy’s Golf Tips on YouTube . Hill played some fantastic iron shots from less than perfect lies and carded a very fine 65. Harrington was an absolute gentleman, thanked us for the support and gave the younger squirrel a ball, which absolutely made her day - already planning to mount and display it in her room.

Gullane 3 tomorrow!

 

[KenL]

Day2 of the trip. Spent a fair chunk of the day following Calum Hill and Padraig Harrington because I know and like Harrington from his outstanding career while Squirreel kitten knows and likes him from Paddy’s Golf Tips on YouTube . Hill played some fantastic iron shots from less than perfect lies and carded a very fine 65. Harrington was an absolute gentleman, thanked us for the support and gave the younger squirrel a ball, which absolutely made her day - already planning to mount and display it in her room.

Gullane 3 tomorrow!

Brilliant.

 

[sunshine]

I remember when I took my young daughter to the golf I came home with over half a dozen pro V1's. Just hang around near the exit from the green to the next tee and the players couldn't resist handing her their ball.

They went straight into my golf bag when I got home. They cost about £4 each now... none of this mounting and displaying business

 

[kp17]

I really can't put my finger on it but I've always preferred 2 over 1 at Gullane

Could never understand the big difference in green fee. I think 1 is my preference but only just. 2 is equally as good a course. Gullane is just a great place, amazing to drive into, just golf everywhere

 

[The Squirrel]

Gullane was great and immense fun, both 2 and 3. There are a couple of slightly silly holes with extremes in uphill or downhill, but far more great ones. Views and weather amazing. Only had a look at 1 rather than playing of course, but no sensible reason I could see that you’d have one round on 1 rather than 3 rounds on 2 for the same money.

This afternoon’s main interest was very nearly getting hit twice. Dan Brown missing the 11th green just a fraction right but the ropes are close there. No shout of fore … because he was too busy indulging in an impressive bout of club throwing into the rough; all for missing the green by about 3 yards. Caddy had to retrieve as he stomped off. Comes up to crowd; no acknowledgement - just muttering many very audible words amidst the family crowd that would get me banned if I repeated them here. Resisted urge to ask him if he found his club . There were raised eyebrows and Scottish whispers of “he’s ragin’ “ by all. Bad chip, bad putt, both with more ragin’, and a bogey. Absolute tool. Squirrel Jr whispers to me “he’d have got that if he wasn’t so busy being angry”. Very wise little’un. Brown goes straight onto the golfers-I-do-not-support list.

Not long after, Aberg blazes left off the 7th, so far that it’s straight into the crowd watching Rory on the 8th; whistles past us by inches. Comes up, apologises to all and checks nobody hurt before even worrying about his ball. Class. No rage, calmness personified and works out a fantastic 7i recovery with caddy then executes it. Little squirrel says “that’s what the angry one should have done.” An excellent life lesson for her and probably for us all .

 

[KenL]

That’s Brown on the golfers I don’t like list. He’s currently below Hatton and Willett, they’re 1 & 2.