Gullane has achieved something very few golf clubs can match. It is home to three courses that feature in NCG’s Top 100s rankings.
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Located in the heart of East Lothian on Scotland’s famous ‘Golf Coast’, Gullane sits on a prime bit of linksland that overlooks some of the country’s most accomplished courses.
It is a venue that offers up three unique courses. Number one remains the most famous of the trio and has championship pedigree being the host of the 2018 Scottish Open.
But the other courses have plenty of reasons to stand tall. The latest NCG Scotland rankings, released this year, reflect this and the sentiment that it is far more than a single headline course.
Mike Robertson spent 48 hours in Gullane to take a look for himself as part of NCG Top 100s ’48 hours in’ series.
“A lot of golfers, and I am guilty of this, come to places like Gullane and just play course number one”, said Robertson.
“When you have played number one this morning and not hit your irons particularly well you could go to the range or you could come out here on number three.
“The second hole, par three, would be at home on any golf course. It’s not what you would expect on a third golf course, if you will.
“All the Gullane golf courses have this reveal where you make your way up a hill and are greeted with endless views of good golf and number three is no different.
“The club have said that a lot of their juniors have come through having learnt the game of golf on number three but that is not to patronise it at all. It’s a really good golf course.
“Conditionally, it’s as good as the number one course. The greens are incredible, the bunkers are really well placed and the tees are immaculate.
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Gullane’s strength lies in its depth. Number two shows how the reputation of the place is built on an exceptional golfing collection.
The members are proud of this, with some preferring it to the marquee layout.
“People enjoy number two”, Gullane member Ross Duncan said. “It is possibly a bit more relaxed, still a very challenging golf course albeit slightly easier than number one.
“There are some similarities when you get over the hill with the views. But it very much stands on its own two feet and I think anywhere else in the country, Gullane’s number two would be any other club’s number one.”
“I think number one is very much a bucket list course for people”, Robertson added. “It is very synonymous, you have seen it as the host of the Scottish Open and is extremely dramatic. A really great test of golf.
“Number two I’d say was a bit more pure. It had a number of great holes in its own right, not a second course by any means.
“Then number three is fantastic for fun, second round in a day and sharpening your short game. Again, it has a great collection of holes.”
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NOW HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you played any of the courses at Gullane? If so, what did make of the experience. Which course was your favourite? Comment your thoughts or let us know with a post on X!
