Gullane( No. 1)
Gullane( No. 2)
DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL SOUTH EAST
Gullane( No. 1)
From the 7th tee, this coastline of golfing heaven is on full display. It may well be one of the most glorious golfing views anywhere. The tee overlooks five links courses – including Muirfield – and three of them are at Gullane. To reach this point you have meandered up and over Gullane Hill. The club is renowned for its crisp turf and fairways are therefore in play all year round. From the 7th you’ re heading downhill again and you will discover that downhill lies are more demanding than their uphill brethren. It gives Gullane an extra feature you rarely find on other links. The challenge of those lies is compounded by the pot bunkers nuzzling up to big greens. The par three 9th has eight bunkers surrounding a 40 yard-long green.
North Berwick
On such a famous links it is easy to focus on North Berwick being the third oldest club in the world … but what sets it even more apart is the enthralling, often quirky and always brilliant course you will be playing. Holes constantly deliver an electric jolt of the unexpected as you head out and back in a classic links layout. The course offers wonderful views over the Firth of Forth, but its openness means any wind will influence your strategy and, with the natural and bold shapes, all of your skills will be tested. The famous 13th hole, with its green protected by a wall, makes North Berwick bucket list stuff … but so do several others, including the 16th with its Biarritz green and the par-3 15th, named Redan … a word recognisable around the golfing world to describe the specific green shape.
Gullane( No. 2)
Younger and shorter than No. 1, this was laid out by the legendary Willie Park Jr, in 1898.( The No. 3 course was also laid out by Willie Park Jr and boasts the best views of the three.) No. 2 starts right beside No. 1 and keeps abreast of it for seven holes, climbing Gullane Hill, before slipping away and dropping down to Aberlady Bay. The bunkering is strong and, like its older sibling, of the pot variety. Only two holes are over 400 yards( middle tees) while the par threes are highly regarded. Indeed, the day’ s best views are from the downhill 11th tee. The similarities between the two are strong and the shorter course often gets the nod in terms of popularity as its open landscape boasts intricately designed holes. It has been used for Open Championship Qualifying.
Muirfield
Host to 16 Open Championships and revered as one of the greatest links designs, it is little wonder that Muirfield is seen as such a desirable golfing destination. Old Tom Morris, Harry Colt and Tom Simpson all contributed to a masterpiece that works in two concentric rings. The front nine forms the outer ring and contains Jack Nicklaus’ s favourite par four( the 8th) in the world. The dunes here are not dramatic but the intricate design has produced astounding bunkering, a varied mix of holes and a routing that ensures the wind attacks you from every angle. Muirfield is revered for the quality of its greens and well known for the requirements placed on visitors … be sure to read up on the dress code and etiquette prior to arrival.
North Berwick
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