Eastern promise

THE problem with deciding to head to East Lothian for your golf break in 2008 is that it immediately creates some rather exacting dilemmas. The choice of where to play is ridiculously large and if you conclude that the average golf trip takes in four or five courses, there are some tough decisions to be made.

There are as many as 20 courses in this small area from which to compile your itinerary and all are worthy of consideration. Now you see the problem.

In your favour is the fact that East Lothian boasts an incredible variety both in the type of course and more relevantly in terms of cost. Marquee names are certainly present, from the very old to the very new. Muirfield is about as historic and mystical as golf clubs get and takes plenty of planning, persistence and fortune to secure a tee-time.

On the other side of the coin is Archerfield, just a few years old but offering two wonderfully classy layouts and a fabulous clubhouse. These are certainly worthy of consideration but what East Lothian does best of all is the second tier of courses, especially links.

In other words, courses which are not Open venues or high-tariff ‘millionnaire playgrounds'. They are courses which are brilliant, utterly special places to play golf. They are courses which are, frankly, pretty much as good as many of Britain's Open Championship venues.

North Berwick is probably the best known and this leading light is used as an Open venue when golf’s greatest show comes to Muirfield. It is a course without a weak hole and several classics, the much-copied Redan par-three 15th being prominent among them.

There is a real feel of golf as it was intended to be at the West Links, with dykes to overcome and blind shots to the fore.
My personal favourite is Dunbar as you may have read on our Love of links' feature. Suffice to say I'd recommend anyone inks it in on their itinerary.

A visit to Gullane is also absolutely essential. It is a mini St Andrews and, even though it might be blasphemous to say so, has the edge in some ways. It's a bit like you imagine St Andrews used to be, before it realised there was a lot of money to be made from American visitors.

A round on Gullane 1 followed by a few beers and a meal at the Ducks at Kilspindie is certainly my idea of the perfect day.

If you don't stay there, try Maitlandfield House, the base for a couple of NCG trips and perfect for a golf break. Several other accommodation options exist in the area and all excel in providing the essentials for a golf break: good food, flexibility, a relaxed atmosphere and a well-stocked bar. Value for money comes as standard.

Back at Kilspindie, where the course is great fun. Leave the driver and maybe even the three wood in the boot of the car and play it the way it was intended 100 years ago. If your short game is your strong point, you'll relish the challenge here. Good wedge players will absolutely love it, whether with 90-yard pitches or delicate chip-and-runs around the greens.

Just round the corner is Luffness, less linksy than some of its neighbours but still a super track. A couple of less-well-known courses must be flagged up too. Firstly, The Glen in North Berwick, which is typical of golf in Scotland. I wrote two years ago that it is a fabulous course which does not get the credit it deserves because a) it's unpretentious and b) it is not quite as good as its neighbours' and I stand by my assessment.

The Glen is classic holiday golf. Exhilarating, inexpensive (amazingly so), welcoming and highly enjoyable. A mix of clifftop links and charming inland golf, the first and last holes are memorable for the elevated nature of the green and tee respectively.

Secondly, Whitekirk provides a welcome change from the large helpings of links you may be digesting with a terrific inland course. NCG visited there last year in the middle of an East Lothian pilgrimage and expected some light relief, the chance of a birdie or two and a generally easier course.

We were wrong. Whitekirk is a championship course and its early holes make sure you've woken up. It is probably the club in the area which is best suited to catering for a touring group too. So, perfect for a late morning tee time and an afternoon with a beer and a bite to eat in front of the golf or the football on the clubhouse's big screens.

Don't forget immaculate duo Haddington and Winterfield, historic Musselburgh Links, picturesque Longniddry or modern classic Craigielaw. Told you it was a difficult choice...

Golf East Lothian members
Clubs
Craigelaw Golf Club
Dunbar Golf Club
Glen Golf Club
Gullane Golf Club
Haddington Golf Club
Kilspindie Golf Club
Longniddry Golf Club
Musselburgh Links, Old Course
North Berwick Golf Club
Whitekirk Golf and Country Club
Winterfield Golf Club


Golf school
Eric Grandison Golf School

Accommodation
Fenton Tower
Green Craig
Kilspindie House Hotel
Maitlandfield House Hotel
North Berwick Golf Lodge
Macdonald Marine Hotel
Winton House
Wintonhill Farmhouse

Contact details
FOR further information, log on to http://www.golfeastlothian.com/ or contact Golf East Lothian via e-mail at club@golfeastlothian.com, quoting NCG08 to receive a free trip planner.