Which East Lothian upgrade ?

[pendodave]

I've just booked 3 days in North Berwick a trip with some friends in early June.

Thinking of playing kilspindie, Gullane and North B (one day at each).

The question is, we only really want to pay top dollar for one of the days, so have an option of

Gullane 2/3 and North Berwick OR
Gullane 1/3 and The Glen.

Any opinions on which would be best, or perhaps which would be the least bad to miss out on.

d

 

[patricks148]

all top courses but if you want to pay top dollar, Muirfield would have to be top of the list on question.

Muirfield,

then gullane 1 and 2 luffness new,north berwick, kilspindie, not necessarily in that order but i would play these before any of the others

 

[NWJocko]

Depends what you mean by "top dollar" I guess. Money no object then Muirfield and Archerfield

If not that, and you're staying in North Berwick, you have to play NB, it's an absolutely tremendous course and miles better than the Glen (although I enjoy playing there, was a junior member many moons ago).

I'd see if I could get a decent price at Longniddry (another one of my favourites) and do NB, one of the Gullane ones (I enjoy playing 2 the best but 1 is the "better" course) and Longniddry or the Glen

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Erm.....I think the OP is saying he only wants to pay top dollar on ONE day and keep the cost down

 

[patricks148]

Erm.....I think the OP is saying he only wants to pay top dollar on ONE day and keep the cost down

I know, Muirfield makes all the others look like a cheaper options if you have to pay the visitor green fee.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Ideally I'd play both NB and Gullane #1 but if that's too pricey I'd say #2 is still a good course and gives much the same "Gullane" experience.

So, from the courses you list I'd go NB/Gullane #2 and either Kilspindie or the Glen. I haven't played either of the latter two in many years so finding it hard to say which I prefer.

Lots of other good courses in the area which I assume you've considered and rejected - Longniddry, Craigielaw and Dunbar worth considering other than the obvious "marquee" courses.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

That is very true Patrick but I think you may have missed the point.

 

[pendodave]

Yep, maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I was thinking of G1 and NB as 'top dollar' (of which we would only play one). The other more exclusive tracks were not on my radar at all.

I was thinking of Kilspindie over Londnidry on the grounds that it was right next to the sea. Playing entirely on inland parkland, we are keen to get as close to the ocean as possible.

My sense is that we would not miss out too much by playing Gullane 2 and 3 (should manage that in June) instead of Gullane 1, whereas North Berwick has a unique charm that would be a shame to miss.

Of course, none of them may let us on....maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We're all reasonable competent though (9,12 and 17) so hopefully they'd be happy to take our cash.

 

[Foxholer]

Erm.....I think the OP is saying he only wants to pay top dollar on ONE day and keep the cost down

Ha ha! D4S has made the correction I instantly thought was needed!

Kilspindie is a pleasant course, but nothing special - except the ability to whip around quickly. I'd only recommend playing Kilspindie if you were combining it with another course - Craigielaw is the obvious one as you can actually step from one to the other! Note that as an ex-member of Craigielaw, I'm a bit biased!

I don't believe Gullane #1 is sufficiently higher quality over #2 to warrant the huge difference in Green Fee. #2 and #3 make a fabulous day (either way round). Gullane #3 may be short, but it is no pushover.

The Glen is a clifftop course as opposed to being a 'proper' links course. Some of the views are fabulous though. If you want another top course to play as a single day, try Dunbar! Been a while, but normally well priced.

My recommendation would be North Berwick, Gullane 2&3, Dunbar. Staying in Gullane or North Berwick would make sense for that.
An alternative would be Gullane #1 for North Berwick - but missing NB's delights would be a shame and you certainly get most of the flavour from #s2&3! You could also replace the Dunbar day with Crigielaw&Kilspindie if you wanted lots of Golf. In that case,staying in Gullane or at Ducks in Aberlady would make sense - though food&drink temptations could make Ducks that costly on top of the accommodation! The Old Clubhouse was always my preferred casual eaterie/watering hole.

 

[BrizoH71]

Yep, maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I was thinking of G1 and NB as 'top dollar' (of which we would only play one). The other more exclusive tracks were not on my radar at all.

I was thinking of Kilspindie over Londnidry on the grounds that it was right next to the sea. Playing entirely on inland parkland, we are keen to get as close to the ocean as possible.

My sense is that we would not miss out too much by playing Gullane 2 and 3 (should manage that in June) instead of Gullane 1, whereas North Berwick has a unique charm that would be a shame to miss.

Of course, none of them may let us on....maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We're all reasonable competent though (9,12 and 17) so hopefully they'd be happy to take our cash.

If you want to play close to the sea, Dunbar is the one you want. Several of the holes are right on the shoreline without actually being in the sea itself.

 

[patricks148]

Yep, maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I was thinking of G1 and NB as 'top dollar' (of which we would only play one). The other more exclusive tracks were not on my radar at all.

I was thinking of Kilspindie over Londnidry on the grounds that it was right next to the sea. Playing entirely on inland parkland, we are keen to get as close to the ocean as possible.

My sense is that we would not miss out too much by playing Gullane 2 and 3 (should manage that in June) instead of Gullane 1, whereas North Berwick has a unique charm that would be a shame to miss.

Of course, none of them may let us on....maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We're all reasonable competent though (9,12 and 17) so hopefully they'd be happy to take our cash.

i would say play Gullane no 2 which i always enjoy more than no1 TBH , same flavor more or less (which isn't right next to the sea, but neither is no1 really) and North Berwick. Never played Kilspindie but i think some holes of that are right on the sea. or as FD mentioned Dunbar, i thought that was a great course, pretty close to the see on all but a few holes as well.

 

[pendodave]

Thanks for all the help. Hadn't thought of Dunbar but will check it out.

I have sorted out an apartment to rent in North Berwick, so even the living quarters will be within a chip of the beach.

We're really looking forward to it, as none of us have played north of the border (or north of the Chiltern tbh) before.

The only possible cloud on the horizon is that we are slightly worried about the vagueries of the Scottish weather...

 

[FairwayDodger]

The only possible cloud on the horizon is that we are slightly worried about the vagueries of the Scottish weather...

That's just a rumour we put out to discourage tourists from coming and clogging up the golf courses......

 

[IanG]

Yep, maybe I didn't explain myself too well. I was thinking of G1 and NB as 'top dollar' (of which we would only play one). The other more exclusive tracks were not on my radar at all.

I was thinking of Kilspindie over Londnidry on the grounds that it was right next to the sea. Playing entirely on inland parkland, we are keen to get as close to the ocean as possible.

My sense is that we would not miss out too much by playing Gullane 2 and 3 (should manage that in June) instead of Gullane 1, whereas North Berwick has a unique charm that would be a shame to miss.

Of course, none of them may let us on....maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We're all reasonable competent though (9,12 and 17) so hopefully they'd be happy to take our cash.

I'm biased but I'd go with NB and Gullane nr 2 and then play either Gullane 3 or the Glen as your third choice. If your budget can stretch to Dunbar as your third course that would make up a very tasty trio of NB, Gullane nr 2 and Dunbar.

A couple of tips, NB is members only on a Saturday so avoid that in your planning.
The Glen has some good twilight deals usually so keep an eye on that too.
The Indian restaurant in Aberlady is very good, and the Old Clubhouse in Gullane a nice place to eat reasonable priced food. If you'r staying in NB and want some restaurant recommendations pm me and I'll be happy to help.

All the courses will gladly relieve you of your cash so don't worry about that !

 

[Bigfoot]

I would certainly go for the threesome of North Berwick, Gullane 2 and Dunbar. Dunbar being a gem that is never mentioned because of the close proximity of the other courses in the area.

 

[KenL]

You've had a lot of good advice so far. I totally agree about the Gullane comments. For me Gullane 2 is every bit as good as Gullane 1 and half the price. If you want 2 rounds in 1 day then playing 2 and 3 is great value.

North Berwick is very quirky in places, so memorable. Always in great condition and very welcoming.


The Glen has a mix of some amazing holes and some not so good ones. Kilspindieis a delight to play.

Dunbar has a fantastic layout and is very relaxed and friendly. Quite expensive but I think we do twilight deals in the afternoon.

if staying in NB try Zitto and the wee Thai restaurant Poonthais for food. No.12 Quality St is fantastic for breakfast. The Ship Inn and the Auld Hoose are first class pubs.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I would certainly go for the threesome of North Berwick, Gullane 2 and Dunbar. Dunbar being a gem that is never mentioned because of the close proximity of the other courses in the area.

I would second that with Longniddry an option for Dunbar.
Try to squeeze in Gullane No3 as it is a gem and does not cost much.
New Italian restaurant near the 1st tee at Gullane is pretty good.

For info, if anyone thinking of staying in the Dunbar area in future there is now a very nice Premier Inns/Pub/Restaurant/Garden Centre complex just south of Dunbar.

 

[SAPCOR1]

As others have said if you are staying in NB then playing there is a must, lovely course.

As for Gullane I also think no.2 is as good as no.1 and my favourite of the 3 courses. You could also play no.3 in the same day if you tee off early enough after a spot of lunch in the visitor's clubhouse.

Luffness New is next to Gullane but be aware of their dress code 😱

Archerfield is members only unless you go to the Nike Performance lab for a fitting or tuition and comes as part of the package. Two great courses though

Dunbar is worth a visit as is Longniddry with the Glen having some great holes especially the par 3 over the sea.

Spoilt for choice really and you should have a great trip

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

You can hardly call the Glen an upgrade, sure it's worth playing but when you have so much available on Scotland's only Golf Coast why have a Butlins weekend!

To make it easy on the wallet I'd agree with Gullane 2, North Berwick and Dunbar.

Life is good :thup:

 

[KenL]

That is a very harsh comment on the Glen!

I have played it many times and always enjoyed it.