Bruntsfield Links
Archerfield (Dirleton)
In terms of quality (and preference) it is impossible to separate
Archerfield’s two modern courses. The Dirleton opened in 2006,
and you’ll find more links traits here, despite it being further inland
than the Fidra. Deep revetted bunkering is the obvious sign – you
have to step down into several bunkers – and you’ll need to avoid
these to score well. So, too, the ditches and gorse-topped ridges
rippling along fairways. The layout moves in every direction and this,
combined with the ditches and plenty of cross-fairway bunkering,
means you must exercise patience and strategy, especially off the
tee. The rhythm is excellent, with one strong hole after another
and, if you enjoy bump and run approaches, then you’ll be in your
element. Expect a challenging finish with three long par fours in the
final four holes. Tee times at this exclusive resort are lim ited and get
here early to enjoy the magnificent facilities.
Bruntsfield Links
The Bruntsfield Links will see change in the coming years as a £1
million investment delivers course improvements by renowned
architects Mackenzie & Ebert. The course already bears the stamp
of Willie Park Jnr, Alister Mackenzie, and James Braid, so the legends
of old will combine with the legends of the future. This Open
regional qualifying course will be extensively re-bunkered to match
Mackenzie’s original shapes. The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society’s
roots date back to 1761 – making it the world’s 4th oldest club – but
this idyllic Edinburgh parkland has been the society’s home since
1898. It sits on spacious, heavily wooded, undulating terrain and is
known for its beautiful landscape, its strategic bunkering and the
deceptive undulating greens.
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Archerfield (Fidra)
There are courses where the beauty of pine trees blends sweetly
with the traditions of links and the joys of sandy soil. The Fidra is
an enchanting example. Opened in 2004, it glides through towering
tree corridors (formerly a forest) before slipping out to open links
terrain and the Firth of Forth. Early on, those pines will cause some
angst for the wayward golfer, especially with the doglegs, but it is
the green complexes where every golfer will be tested. They are
large, crowned and well bunkered making them difficult to attack…
bump and run may be your greatest friend. This continues on the
open links holes where the rhythm of the terrain will taunt you.
Designer DJ Russell didn’t lust for length, preferring instead to
introduce strong bunkering and ask lots of your accuracy. The course
lies between Muirfield and North Berwick. Tee time availability is
limited.
Craigielaw
Opened in 2001, this low-running course presents some colourful,
traditional links characteristics with modern day flourishes. Old
stone walls appear on fairways and in the rough, burns slip across
holes and the rough is wispy and often magnetic. What golfers
will probably remember most, however, is the cavernous, shapely
bunkering and the tricky, slick greens – many of which fall into
that upside-down-saucer shape and can prove so punitive to even
well struck shots. Given their firmness, golfers will need the most
delicate of short games. And those bunkers are strategically placed,
believe us. Accuracy and placement off the tee becomes essential
to optimise your approach and the gentle 1st makes this abundantly
clear.