Moving courses- Edinburgh and around recommendations?

[jamielaing]

Looking for a little help from any of you that knows courses in and around Edinburgh.

We are a group of 5 that have membership at a club in Edinburgh (par 69) and are looking at possibly moving on to somewhere new.

Handicap range from 10-14, 3 bigger hitters, 1 average, 1 short and steady.

Reasons being-

The course has been in poor condition, notably the greens

A par 69 course with SS normally going down to 68 on competition days. We think that a longer course would suit us better and allow us more of a challenge/ chance to hit drivers. (Only one par 5 which is a bit too few for my liking)

The membership costs a lot in comparison to others we have seen

At the same token it is a bit of a decision as 4/5 of us live within 10 minutes of the club, one on the doorstep.

So does anyone know of good courses in/ around Edinburgh that is longer (71/72) but is fairly easy to get to, in good condition?

Also, would you be looking to move? Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[FairwayDodger]

In my opinion, the best courses I've played in Edinburgh are Duddingston and Mortonhall, either of which would probably suit your longer length criteria and both have always been in immaculate condition whenever I've played. Royal Burgess is also good, if you are all men! (Grr!)

Can't comment on location without knowing where you'd be travelling from. Which club would you be leaving?

Personally, purely based on the course, I'd join Duddingston which I think is a bit more interesting than the others with water in play on a few holes.

 

[jamielaing]

Don't want to say where would be leaving as wouldn't want to bad mouth the club in any way. I live in the Corstorphine area so that would be where I am travelling from and working from Fountainpark area.

Duddingston and Mortonhall were on my initial list to think of actually, is Duddingston better than it used to be regarding drainage?

 

[jamielaing]

Also I think Burgess might just be outside the price bracket!

 

[FairwayDodger]

Don't want to say where would be leaving as wouldn't want to bad mouth the club in any way. I live in the Corstorphine area so that would be where I am travelling from and working from Fountainpark area.

Duddingston and Mortonhall were on my initial list to think of actually, is Duddingston better than it used to be regarding drainage?

I can understand that. :thup:

Can't really comment on their drainage, I usually play it only once or twice a year and in the summer when it's always been great. My guess is that Mortonhall is probably better for drainage and year-long play, but it's only a guess.

Sounds like Mortonhall would be a little bit easier for you to get to from both home and work.

Having considered membership at both these clubs recently, I know that neither is particularly cheap for the area but that Duddingston is a wee bit less and doesn't have the same size of joining fee they have at Mortonhall.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Also I think Burgess might just be outside the price bracket!

Yeah, I never investigated membership packages there since they don't want "my sort".

 

[Adi2Dassler]

is Duddingston better than it used to be regarding drainage?

Yes.The greens have recovered from the disaster that the greenkeeper caused too.

 

[jamielaing]

Yeah, I never investigated membership packages there since they don't want "my sort".

I doubt I would be their sort either. I don't own a sports jacket!

 

[IanG]

I like Mortonhall a lot, but it is pretty soggy in the winter time - but perhaps no better or worse than the comparable parkland courses in Edinburgh. I've enjoyed Turnhouse the few times I've played it and the place always seem pretty friendly and local to you. Others to consider might be Brunstfield (which might be expensive) and Baberton, which has just spent a load on a nice new clubhouse and course improvements.

 

[jamielaing]

I can understand that. :thup:

Can't really comment on their drainage, I usually play it only once or twice a year and in the summer when it's always been great. My guess is that Mortonhall is probably better for drainage and year-long play, but it's only a guess.

Sounds like Mortonhall would be a little bit easier for you to get to from both home and work.

Having considered membership at both these clubs recently, I know that neither is particularly cheap for the area but that Duddingston is a wee bit less and doesn't have the same size of joining fee they have at Mortonhall.

Thanks for the advice, will have a look at both of these a bit further.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I like Mortonhall a lot, but it is pretty soggy in the winter time - but perhaps no better or worse than the comparable parkland courses in Edinburgh. I've enjoyed Turnhouse the few times I've played it and the place always seem pretty friendly and local to you. Others to consider might be Brunstfield (which might be expensive) and Baberton, which has just spent a load on a nice new clubhouse and course improvements.

I think all the Edinburgh parkland courses turn to mud in winter, hence my dual membership down the coast!

I like Turnhouse as well but find a few holes quite quirky with the severe elevation changes. Great food there too! Baberton's not in great nick, to be honest, although I'm sure they'll turn it around. It still seems to be settling in after the new clubhouse (which is superb) and course changes.

 

[DCB]

There's been quite a change in Edinburgh over the past few years. Whilst many clubs are open to new members it's still not necessarily a cheap process to change clubs. Some still have considerable joining fees, so it pays to do your homework and find out what you actually want before you get to the point of handing over the cash

 

[IanG]

I think all the Edinburgh parkland courses turn to mud in winter, hence my dual membership down the coast!

I like Turnhouse as well but find a few holes quite quirky with the severe elevation changes. Great food there too! Baberton's not in great nick, to be honest, although I'm sure they'll turn it around. It still seems to be settling in after the new clubhouse (which is superb) and course changes.

Thanks for the heads up about the state of play at Baberton, I have a works knockout tie to play soon and my opponent is a member at both Baberton and Dalmahoy so I can likely choose between them. He's a rather senior senior, so I doubt the big course at Dalmahoy will be on offer !
Ian

 

[FairwayDodger]

Thanks for the heads up about the state of play at Baberton, I have a works knockout tie to play soon and my opponent is a member at both Baberton and Dalmahoy so I can likely choose between them. He's a rather senior senior, so I doubt the big course at Dalmahoy will be on offer !
Ian

Not slating it, I played a few rounds at baberton recently and enjoyed it. It's just a bit rough around the edges in a few places and the 18th green was still not in play.

 

[Tommo21]

I would seriously consider a links course. No such things as winter mats, winter tees, winter greens, unless in exceptional circumstances. It pays for itself and you basically play the same course all year round. I’m also a member at Royal Musselburgh as well as Dunbar and the Royal is miles behind Dunbar and only £60 per year difference. The Royal is at its best for about 5 months of the year and it’s too handy for me TBH. Links all the way for value for money.

Incidentally, lots of guys who are members and regularly play Dunbar travel from far and wide.

 

[jamielaing]

I would seriously consider a links course. No such things as winter mats, winter tees, winter greens, unless in exceptional circumstances. It pays for itself and you basically play the same course all year round. I’m also a member at Royal Musselburgh as well as Dunbar and the Royal is miles behind Dunbar and only £60 per year difference. The Royal is at its best for about 5 months of the year and it’s too handy for me TBH. Links all the way for value for money.

Incidentally, lots of guys who are members and regularly play Dunbar travel from far and wide.

We have really considered heading towards East Lothian to somewhere like Dunbar or even Musselburgh (Monktonhall) as an option but the trip up for us is getting there after work. This maybe comes across us wanting everything my own way but when I play once at the weekend and 2/3 times after work it is a bad journey in rush hour.

Possibly considering some of the West Lothian options though as this may be slightly easier.

 

[Tommo21]

We have really considered heading towards East Lothian to somewhere like Dunbar or even Musselburgh (Monktonhall) as an option but the trip up for us is getting there after work. This maybe comes across us wanting everything my own way but when I play once at the weekend and 2/3 times after work it is a bad journey in rush hour.

Possibly considering some of the West Lothian options though as this may be slightly easier.

Yeh, see what you mean.........

 

[the smiling assassin]

Member of Duddingston.
Course condition is generally pretty steady and the greens have been superb the last couple of summers. Drainage issues are being addressed - drainage trenches dug and now bedding in on the 5th and 17th fairways.
Would be happy to have a quick chat at some point if you're keen - drop me a pm. Worth contacting the sec to arrange a courtesy round too. I also run an email group of about 40+ members and we regularly welcome new club members to help establish some connections - if you're joining en masse, you may be ok in that regard, but you'd be more than welcome.
I also travel from Corstorphine area, no problem getting across town on a Saturday morning.

 

[jamielaing]

Member of Duddingston.
Course condition is generally pretty steady and the greens have been superb the last couple of summers. Drainage issues are being addressed - drainage trenches dug and now bedding in on the 5th and 17th fairways.
Would be happy to have a quick chat at some point if you're keen - drop me a pm. Worth contacting the sec to arrange a courtesy round too. I also run an email group of about 40+ members and we regularly welcome new club members to help establish some connections - if you're joining en masse, you may be ok in that regard, but you'd be more than welcome.
I also travel from Corstorphine area, no problem getting across town on a Saturday morning.

thanks for the info. we are looking at moving at the start of 2016 so we are a tad early at the minute. I do think that Duddingston is likely the front runner for me anyway although we are wanting to keep our group together.

I think it is great that you have a group to meet new members and if I moved I would love to get involved with that. Our club does nothing of the sort, just a welcome day where you can play with a member of the council.