Which East Lothian upgrade ?

[Blue in Munich]

Of those mentioned I've only played North Berwick but I would recommend it wholeheartedly; a good test, some fantastic quirks that you won't find anywhere else and as a visitor, for the notice by the clubhouse which the members certainly lived up to.

 

[Tommo21]

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...

PM sent......

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

That is a very harsh comment on the Glen!

I have played it many times and always enjoyed it.

Oh it's worth playing but when you're on a 3 round trip? I'd certainly suggest it before Winterfield, would that be fair or maybe harsh?

 

[Tommo21]

Oh it's worth playing but when you're on a 3 round trip? I'd certainly suggest it before Winterfield, would that be fair or maybe harsh?

The glens okay, a fair test. My opinion is that North Berwick west is way overrated, takes ages to get round at times, and I mean ages. It has a few holes that no one would ever design into a course and I suppose that's what gives it that flavour. Not for me and as for Winterfield, it's a basic council course, not the hardest test, but if you want a quick round of golf with some of the longest par 3s you'll ever come across including a couple of really good linksy holes then its there. I learned my golf there, have a lot of good friends there, lived next door, and still play there during the summer.

 

[Bigfoot]

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.

I would second that, as I stayed there when I played Dunbar last year.

 

[Bigfoot]

Dunbar has a fantastic layout and is very relaxed and friendly.

I agree. As a visitor, I booked a tee time and when I turned up they asked me if I would like to play with a member as there was a couple going out just after me. i jumped at the chance an it really made the day. They were extremely friendly and helpful on a course I knew nothing about.

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

The glens okay, a fair test. My opinion is that North Berwick west is way overrated, takes ages to get round at times, and I mean ages. It has a few holes that no one would ever design into a course and I suppose that's what gives it that flavour. Not for me and as for Winterfield, it's a basic council course, not the hardest test, but if you want a quick round of golf with some of the longest par 3s you'll ever come across including a couple of really good linksy holes then its there. I learned my golf there, have a lot of good friends there, lived next door, and still play there during the summer.

Exactly that, the Glen is ok (some parts good) and I'm not knocking it but when you're only playing 3 rounds and on a budget, why would you bother paying say 50 or 60 quid when you can chuck that amount towards something a bit better.

Winterfield - Great little course and club but it won't get in a Golf Coast top 10 :fore:

 

[CliveW]

I'm just home from Gullane, having played Course 1 off the whites. Even today, the last day of January, the course was in terrific condition and the fastest, truest greens I have played in a long time. In June it will be fantastic.

 

[pendodave]

Well, I’m just back from East Lothian so I thought I’d do the decent thing and put up some feedback on the trip as so many forumers were so helpful with suggestions.

First things first, the weather was fantastic. Four days, no rain, mostly sunny with a few bits of ‘Haar’ creeping about early and late. If the weather was always like this, then no-one would ever need to travel anywhere else for perfect holiday golf.

We stayed in an apartment in North Berwick. The town was an excellent base as we could easily get to Gullane and Dunbar. Plenty of pubs and restaurants, and the Fry and Curry house stayed open late enough to facilitate eating after a late afternoon round of golf.

We played Gullane 3 on the evening we arrived. The weather had been pretty dry for days, so it was playing very short. Really good introduction to the area, pretty much a bargain for a twilight round. There was literally no-one else on it from 16.30 on a Sunday evening. Fantastic views from the hill.

Next day, Gullane 2 and 3. Again, cracking day. The only downside was that I didn’t realise quite how often we would be pushing trolleys up that bloomin hill! I would say that both Gullane courses had the best greens of the courses we played. The courses were also pretty straightforward in the sense that it was pretty obvious where to go and what was out there. Our highest handicapper enjoyed these two the most, as there was plenty of room and not too much trouble in any particular direction. The combined day green fee for these two courses is another bargain.

Day 3, North Berwick West Links. Great experience, but some pretty odd holes! 18 ‘capper found it pretty tough, as bad shots could go a long way wrong. Greens did not run quite as well as Gullane, but the day was slightly less sunny. Playing out of the town and back with the Old Course style 18th was fantastic. As was being right next to the sea. Had the highest quotient of golf tourists, so being stuck behind a fourball of septics and 4 caddies can make play a bit stop and start.

Day 4 was a real treat. Special thanks to forum member ‘Thommo21’ who hosted us at Dunbar. He was a real gent. Really great course, I would describe it as a very fair test of golf. Sneaky hard after the turn on the back 9. Playing with a good golfer who knew the course certainly added to the experience. A few of the greens (which all the locals, even in Gullane assured us were the best in the area) were suffering a bit, but I would imagine that they would soon be back to their normal state. Again, the layout of the holes along the coast and the views playing back into the town were magnificent.

All-in-all it was a brilliant trip. I would heartily recommend it to anyone considering it. Really easy area to get to and so many great courses within close proximity. It really felt like we were playing ‘proper’ golf, and seeing kids and families out in the evening on the links made it seem much more of a community experience than down in deepest Herts.

 

[NWJocko]

Great write up, makes me homesick

Glad you enjoyed it, it's a great place to go for a few days golf with the volume (and quality) of courses so close together. Close to Edinburgh aswell if you want to head in there too.

 

[Foxholer]

Great to see you enjoyed it - and that the weather gods were kind!

Brings back fond memories - though not so fond ones of the slog up that hill on Gullane 2! The return down just doesn't compensate! Great views though!

 

[IanG]

Glad you had a good trip and enjoyed the local courses - we really are spoilt for choice around here.

 

[pendodave]

though not so fond ones of the slog up that hill on Gullane 2!

The one up and down 3 was just as steep.

And to compound my pain, after we did the 'putter teeshot challenge' on the 15th from the top, I left the 8 iron which I had played my 'proper' shot with on the tee box. Only realised it when I was playing my second on the 16th right at the bottom. So much to the amusement of my fellows I had to make a special trip up and down to retrieve it....

 

[IanG]

The one up and down 3 was just as steep.

And to compound my pain, after we did the 'putter teeshot challenge' on the 15th from the top, I left the 8 iron which I had played my 'proper' shot with on the tee box. Only realised it when I was playing my second on the 16th right at the bottom. So much to the amusement of my fellows I had to make a special trip up and down to retrieve it....

that putter tee shot challenge is a fun one - hard to hold the green with a putter some days.

 

[duncan mackie]

Great to have a write up like this associated with the original thread. Well done.
Well done by Thommo21 as well.

 

[Garush34]

Good write up, I love the odd holes at North Berwick, my favourite course to play. Need to get up for a game soon.

 

[Val]

Great write up, never played any of the Gullane courses but both North Berwick and Dunbar are very good. Dunbar has a few greens and tee boxes from memory which are right at the water edge which is great and I especially like the 2 par 5's start which I always feel eases you into the course.

 

[Foxholer]

The one up and down 3 was just as steep.

And to compound my pain, after we did the 'putter teeshot challenge' on the 15th from the top, I left the 8 iron which I had played my 'proper' shot with on the tee box. Only realised it when I was playing my second on the 16th right at the bottom. So much to the amusement of my fellows I had to make a special trip up and down to retrieve it....

Was trying to remember whether there was an equivalent on that course! Only played it 3 times - in work Club days - and the last time was something of a blur as it's my only sub-70 round (69). The 76 on #2 was only spoilt by a lost ball on the 16th which pushed me into 2nd place - dead calm day!!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I was through there last week and the courses were pretty burnt up.
Where I am, on the Costa del Clyde it has been baking for what seems like weeks, rain forecast tomorrow so hopefully dampen things down a bit. Royal Troon looks like it will be quick for The Open.

My daughters playing the new layout at Turnberry tomorrow, lucky girl.
That will be her 5th game of golf on five different courses this week.

 

[Backache]

Very good review, one point I would make is that by UK standards the weather in East Lothian in my experience is pretty reliable. Sunny days are common and wet days far less so.