In terms of golf on Scotland’s East coast, East Lothian is often found in shadows of Fife, its more illustrious northern neighbour. This may stunt the flow of golfers traveling to play golf in East Lothian, but it also ensures that the coastline to the East of Edinburgh is scattered with hidden gems, awaiting the avid golfer. As a result of this, East Lothian has retained its delightful charm; welcoming, yet not over-burdened with visitors. Enchanting, traditional towns like North Berwick and Gullane are dotted along a coastline of beautiful beaches. Moments from the picturesque village of Aberlady is one of the newest golfing delights, Craigielaw Golf Club.
Opened in 2001, this Donald Steel designed links borders Kilspindie – a quaint, old-fashioned little links course and is beautifully positioned on the Firth of Forth, opposite Fife’s East Neuk. Craigielaw does not weave through the dunes in the style of many of Scotland?s more traditional links courses. Here, cavernous bunkers surround greens that would be more at home in America; vicious ridges, tiers and swails mean that missing the target leaves the golfer facing a struggle for par. The nature of the greens accentuates the importance of placing the ball in the correct place from the tee. Given its geography, Craigielaw on a calm day is a rarity, and as such, attacking greens from the wrong angle can feel like an impossible task.
The opening holes are relatively innocuous, but the 4th and 5th holes are made tricky by the internal wall running alongside. In the easternmost corner of the coast, the tricky par-3 6th affords spectacular views past Aberlady to the courses at Gullane and Luffness. Around the turn, the course meanders past the club house, and the par-3 10th borders the impressive private residences, one of which was famously rented by Greg Norman and Tiger Woods around the time of the Open Championship at Muirfield, 2003.
En route to the club house, one of the most treacherous challenges is the 445-yard 12th. The drive is blind, but a gentle draw aimed at North Berwick Law, an extinct volcanic plug, is the best preparation to attack the green. Here however, in true Craigielaw fashion, finding the putting surface means avoiding the treacherous bunker that guards the target ominously.
Scoring at Craigielaw represents a fine line between success and failure. If the golfer can manage the ever-reliable blustery breeze, then the course presents birdie chances right to the last: on a windy day long-hitters can get close to the green with a booming drive off the 18th tee! However, the severity of the greens, and their surrounding ferocious bunkers, mean that a couple of wayward shots can be disastrous.
Craigielaw reflects what golf in East Lothian is all about. This is a gem, one of many littered along what is a charming coastline. With all this within 30 minutes of Edinburgh, Craigielaw Golf Club and its East Lothian counterparts are an essential visit for the discerning golfer.
