More about Golf in
Scotland
August 11, 2000
If there's one thing there's plenty of in
Scotland, it's golf. There are 66 golf courses within 20 miles of our flat
in Edinburgh! Unfortunately, we only got to sample a few of these.
I've already written about our round at St.
Andrews, but there are many other really good courses to play, all of which
are much more accessible. Around here these include Ladybank, Crail,
Lunden Links, Leven, Gleneagles, Gullane No. 1, and North Berwick. We
played almost all of these when we were here several years ago.
But since then, golf Scotland has gotten quite a
bit more expensive. Today a round at your average Club near Edinburgh
costs about £20 ($30) mid-week and about £30
on week-ends. Gullane No. 1 is up to £56
and £69 respectively;
be prepared.
I was very fortunate. I was able to get a
Temporary International Membership in one of the local golf clubs, which meant
unlimited playing privileges. Prestonfield Golf Club is right in the
middle of the city, visible right below the Craigs and Arthur's seat, and about
a 10 minute drive from our flat. It's a great parklands course, par 73
from the ladies tees and open to visitors. As a temporary member, I was
able to play in all the ladies tournaments, as well as playing in some of the
other club events, including a greensomes tournament, a "friendly
match" with another club, and the R&A Millennium
event. Prestonfield's lady members were friendly and
welcoming. Now that I'm playing regularly my handicap is down to a 11.5,
and dropping.
Aside from joining a local Golf Club, there are
some other ways to reduce the cost of an extended golfing holiday. There are several
2 for 1 books/schemes; the one we joined, the Scotsman Golf Club, even includes
reductions at the famous Gleneagles courses. There are also golf cards
available from the local Information offices. Then there are Open
tournaments. Most Clubs sponsor one of more Opens, either Ladies, or
Scratch, or Seniors, or Mixed or... There are loads of these tournaments,
and they are all priced right. For example, I played in a Ladies Open at
the Marriott Dalmahoy for £ 8 ($12); the normal weekday green fee is £60!
All the competitions are listed in the Wee Yellow Amateur Golf Book for
Scotland, sometimes available at a Pro shop.
If you're planning to golf in Edinburgh, here's a
ranking of the a few of the local courses: Kilspindie (Aberlady), Dalmahoy,
The Glen (N. Berwick), Baberton, Royal Musselburgh, Prestonfield,
Duddingston, Deer Park, Kingsknowe. Warning: this order not only reflects
the quality of the golf course, but also the weather on the day I played and the
score I shot! And FYI, they are ALL good courses worth playing!
Enjoy, Scotland IS Golf Country.
I was very fortunate. I was able to get a
Temporary International Membership in one of the local golf clubs, which meant
unlimited playing privileges. Prestonfield Golf Club is right in the
middle of the city, visible right below the Craigs and Arthur's seat, and about
a 10 minute drive from our flat. It's a great parklands course, par 73
from the ladies tees and open to visitors. As a temporary member, I was
able to play in all the ladies tournaments, as well as playing in some of the
other club events, including a greensomes tournament, a "friendly
match" with another club, and the R&A Millennium
event. Prestonfield's lady members were friendly and
welcoming. Now that I'm playing regularly my handicap is down to a 11.5,
and dropping.