Destination Golf Scotland 2019 * | Page 72

Gullane XXXX (No 1) 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. There’s no better time to appreciate fully the golfing challenges and beauty of this venerable club. To reach this point you have meandered up Gullane Hill, enjoying the most perfect of links turf. The club is renowned for its springy surfaces and fairways are 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… especially with pot bunkers nuzzling up to big greens. The par three 9th has eight bunkers surrounding a 40 yard-long green. That 7th hole has 10. This smooth, elegant links hosted the 2018 Scottish Open for men and ladies. 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. 70 Mortonhall A beautifully rumpled parkland, bursting with colour and variety. This is an old club – dating to the 1890s – and the maturity of the setting is captivating with views stretching across Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills. The thrills come from several steep rocky hillocks, where holes are encased in blazing gorse. Trees and water add extra appeal as well as additional danger, and then there are the tight doglegs. The wayward golfer can be punished severely but the elevation changes make it clear what is required of you. This is a perfectly balanced par 72 and Mortonhall is playable 52 weeks a year. The par four 2nd is known as ‘Moorfoot’ and it is Index 1: the high tee shows off the course and the views. Luffness New There are rich pickings on this stretch of East Lothian coastline. Tucked in close to the Gullane courses is Luffness New. It has the same terrain and springy turf, and the deep bunkers almost mirror those of its more renowned neighbour but Luffness New has a strong identity of its own. Cross bunkering and treacherous rough mean golfers must consider tee shots carefully. The club is also well known for the perfect roll of its low-lying greens but it will take all your abilities to find them… your short game will be tested time and again. Elevation changes are subtle, the strongest coming as you head out to Aberlady Bay, but this links requires guile and careful navigation. It may be no monster – par 70 – but it plays tough. And the ‘New’ actually refers to the replacement course, which opened in 1894. Old-school, traditional links.