East Lothian Advice

[clabarre72]

45 minutes ago, clabarre72 said:

Unfortunately can't find anything, all booked up and it's a trip with wives

I would love to stay in gullane or NB but there is legit nothing available. If anyone has any hidden gems or ideas for July 9-12 let me know please

[El Gringo]

30 minutes ago, clabarre72 said:

I would love to stay in gullane or NB but there is legit nothing available. If anyone has any hidden gems or ideas for July 9-12 let me know please

Accommodation does dry up in a hurry. 

[ALTSean]

6 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

Accommodation does dry up in a hurry. 

 

In April 2024, we booked our North Berwick B&B for 4 guys for an August 2025 trip. 

Edited January 4 by ALTSean

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, clabarre72 said:

I would love to stay in gullane or NB but there is legit nothing available. If anyone has any hidden gems or ideas for July 9-12 let me know please

Are you playing Dunbar? It’s one of my favorite courses I play if I’m in the area.

[clabarre72]

1 hour ago, ALTSean said:

 

In April 2024, we booked our North Berwick B&B for 4 guys for an August 2025 trip. 

Care to share which place?

Edited January 4 by clabarre72

[scott_Donald]

4 hours ago, clabarre72 said:

I would love to stay in gullane or NB but there is legit nothing available. If anyone has any hidden gems or ideas for July 9-12 let me know please

You are screwed; Scottish open week!

 

I have a voucher for the marine hotel and thought it would be hard to use it - the only week fully booked is that week.

 

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Are you playing Dunbar? It’s one of my favorite courses I play if I’m in the area.

 

is it that good? I don’t remember much about it as played it 2005 ish and friend is a member and always says come down to play. 

[hammergolf]

On 1/4/2025 at 2:23 PM, scott_Donald said:

You are screwed; Scottish open week!

 

I have a voucher for the marine hotel and thought it would be hard to use it - the only week fully booked is that week.

 

 

is it that good? I don’t remember much about it as played it 2005 ish and friend is a member and always says come down to play. 

I really enjoy it. It’s an old style links with some really good holes along the sea. 
 

 

Edited February 13 by hammergolf

[ALTSean]

3 hours ago, clabarre72 said:

Care to share which place?

 

We are staying at the North Berwick Golf Lodge. They also have a Golf Lodge Cottage so you might check and see if they have any availability:

 

https://www.northberwickgolflodgebb.co.uk/

 

 

[scott_Donald]

10 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

I really joy it. It’s an old style links with some really good holes along the sea. 
 

 

‘it’s so much better than kilspindie.

 

weird I don’t remember much I just played a few holes in the evening.

 

you can my friends parents house in the back ground- it’s for sale!

[Hawkeye77]

On 12/23/2024 at 11:09 PM, clabarre72 said:

I'm curious best way to rent a car? Did you use a big online site or someone specifically. Thanks for all the help

 

I've used Sixt twice and Arnold Clark once on three total trips to Scotland and Ireland and had good experiences each time.

[hammergolf]

13 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

‘it’s so much better than kilspindie.

 

weird I don’t remember much I just played a few holes in the evening.

 

you can my friends parents house in the back ground- it’s for sale!

Yeah it is. 10, 11 and 12 are really tough holes. There are also some shorter par 4s with burns that are good as well. Definitely worth the drive if you’re going to Edinburgh for something.

Edited January 4 by hammergolf

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, ALTSean said:

 

We are staying at the North Berwick Golf Lodge. They also have a Golf Lodge Cottage so you might check and see if they have any availability:

 

https://www.northberwickgolflodgebb.co.uk/

 

 

Can try Seaholme and 6a. Seaholme also has holiday flat next door.

[buckI]

21 hours ago, ALTSean said:

 

We are staying at the North Berwick Golf Lodge. They also have a Golf Lodge Cottage so you might check and see if they have any availability:

 

https://www.northberwickgolflodgebb.co.uk/

 

 

Loved this place and the owners (Tom and Emma) are awesome!  Ask Tom about his incident with the bern a few years ago in the club medal event!

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

On 1/4/2025 at 10:46 AM, clabarre72 said:

I would love to stay in gullane or NB but there is legit nothing available. If anyone has any hidden gems or ideas for July 9-12 let me know please

 

I stayed in Old Town and took the train out to Dunbar last summer while my wife went into work for the day (in fact, I played it on the Monday after the Scottish Open!). Not suggesting that it’s a solution to the lodging issue, but I had the time of my life walking through the Royal Mile with my clubs, lol.  If you’re stuck with your current accommodations, it’s doable, but not what I’d call convenient if you’re not willing to embrace it. 
 

On 1/4/2025 at 3:23 PM, scott_Donald said:

 

On 1/4/2025 at 12:49 PM, hammergolf said:

Are you playing Dunbar? It’s one of my favorite courses I play if I’m in the area.

 

is it that good? I don’t remember much about it as played it 2005 ish and friend is a member and always says come down to play. 

 

Dunbar is proper. Feels a bit like East Lothian’s version of Dornoch for tourists - formerly relatively unknown/less known, but publicity from travel gurus is helping/going to help it blow up a bit. What I wouldn’t give for a home/membership there…

 

My great lament is that I couldn’t work in Winterfield next door for a 27 or 36 hole day. I really wanted to play that opening hole. 

[hammergolf]

14 minutes ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

 

I stayed in Old Town and took the train out to Dunbar last summer while my wife went into work for the day (in fact, I played it on the Monday after the Scottish Open!). Not suggesting that it’s a solution to the lodging issue, but I had the time of my life walking through the Royal Mile with my clubs, lol.  If you’re stuck with your current accommodations, it’s doable, but not what I’d call convenient if you’re not willing to embrace it. 
 

 

Dunbar is proper. Feels a bit like East Lothian’s version of Dornoch for tourists - formerly relatively unknown/less known, but publicity from travel gurus is helping/going to help it blow up a bit. What I wouldn’t give for a home/membership there…

 

My great lament is that I couldn’t work in Winterfield next door for a 27 or 36 hole day. I really wanted to play that opening hole. 

Yes, Dunbar is finally getting it’s due. I think it’s just a matter of there being so many golf courses between Gullane and North Berwick that most never made it as far as Dunbar. I haven’t played Winterfield but the first hole is certainly interesting 

[El Gringo]

I played Winterfield recently. The 1st is fine if you can make the carry. For most it’s a layup to the bottom of hollow and 30 foot blind uphill approach…for a par 3. Not a good hole. The front is very bland except for the 7th and 9th. The back nine has several good holes. It’s a shame the club doesn’t do 9 hole rates. The 18 hole fee is about £35-40. Although, it’s a Council run course so senior rates of about 25 quid are offered. Works out well as a 9 hole rate 😎

Edited January 6 by El Gringo

[realsteve]

@ALTSean So a Volvo XC90 has a large enough trunk for 4 golf bags and 4 suitcases? Trying to avoid renting a van or people carrier in Ireland. Thanks!

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, realsteve said:

@ALTSean So a Volvo XC90 has a large enough trunk for 4 golf bags and 4 suitcases? Trying to avoid renting a van or people carrier in Ireland. Thanks!

I had an XC90 when I was in Ireland and it was a tight fit. I will say though that two guys had big suitcases. We put down the middle divider of the back seats to fit two travel bags. It’s doable but just know the guys in the back seats will be a bit cramped. 

[ALTSean]

12 hours ago, realsteve said:

@ALTSean So a Volvo XC90 has a large enough trunk for 4 golf bags and 4 suitcases? Trying to avoid renting a van or people carrier in Ireland. Thanks!

 

Yes, as long as the golf bags are the collapsable type and not the hard cases. It might be a little bit of a tight fit when you're on the move, but then you can unload the suitcases at the hotel / B&B and have plenty of space during the day. The XC90 is probably the biggest "normal" vehicle you can rent and park until you get into the commuter van category. 

[buckI]

If you have a lot of driving to do it will not be comfortable especially for back seat riders.   As others have said, need smaller luggage and golf bags with collapsible covers.    Personally the extra cost of a cam split four ways is worth it.

[El Gringo]

Yes, the older I get the more I appreciate comfort on a long drive if I am expected to play the same day. 
 

Hard golf bag cases are the bane of golf travel. Travel with an easy to carry bag and if possible, soft luggage.

Edited February 13 by El Gringo

[El Gringo]

In North Berwick to show my brother around…first links experience for him. Playing Archerfield Fidra more for me as the Archerfields are the last two courses with any hint of East Lothian reputation I haven’t played yet. Then onto Dunbar, North Berwick and Gullane 1. I am a bit miffed Dunbar wanted their money upfront. Sets a bad tone for me. I will try to squeeze in Musselburgh Old because of its history and I think it’s a cool place. Sad not to show my bro Goswick, perhaps another time. 

[act0fgod]

11 hours ago, El Gringo said:

In North Berwick to show my brother around…first links experience for him. Playing Archerfield Fidra more for me as the Archerfields are the last two courses with any hint of East Lothian reputation I haven’t played yet. Then onto Dunbar, North Berwick and Gullane 1. I am a bit miffed Dunbar wanted their money upfront. Sets a bad tone for me. I will try to squeeze in Musselburgh Old because of its history and I think it’s a cool place. Sad not to show my bro Goswick, perhaps another time. 

None of the others required payment at the time of booking?  I feel that's become the standard now.

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, act0fgod said:

None of the others required payment at the time of booking?  I feel that's become the standard now.

Nope. If it wasn’t for my brother I would have declined the tee time. 
 

I was not impressed with Archerfield Fidra. A few very good holes and quite a few which are solid, but not memorable.

[ALTSean]

10 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

Nope. If it wasn’t for my brother I would have declined the tee time. 
 

I was not impressed with Archerfield Fidra. A few very good holes and quite a few which are solid, but not memorable.

 

We're playing 13 rounds in East Lothian this summer and we had to pre-pay for most of our rounds including Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, Dunbar, etc. 

 

 

[scott_Donald]

11 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Nope. If it wasn’t for my brother I would have declined the tee time. 
 

I was not impressed with Archerfield Fidra. A few very good holes and quite a few which are solid, but not memorable.

 

My friend was a member and the whole site is amazing... the courses just made me think how lucky I am with Royal Aberdeen(just about o head and play in 40mph winds).

 

11 hours ago, ALTSean said:

 

We're playing 13 rounds in East Lothian this summer and we had to pre-pay for most of our rounds including Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, Dunbar, etc. 

 

 

 

I am about to book Dumbarnie as a Scottish resident for a 4 ball in a couple of weeks and I have to pay the full amount upfront too. 

[Chanceman]

13 hours ago, ALTSean said:

 

We're playing 13 rounds in East Lothian this summer and we had to pre-pay for most of our rounds including Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, Dunbar, etc. 

 

 

Pre pay is one thing but is the fee refundable in case of cancellation? Which for international golfers is quite likely. 

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

My friend was a member and the whole site is amazing... the courses just made me think how lucky I am with Royal Aberdeen(just about o head and play in 40mph winds).

 

 

I am about to book Dumbarnie as a Scottish resident for a 4 ball in a couple of weeks and I have to pay the full amount upfront too. 

Aberdeen is clearly a better course than Fidra and I prefer the Aberdeen house as well. 

[act0fgod]

9 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Pre pay is one thing but is the fee refundable in case of cancellation? Which for international golfers is quite likely. 

I'm seeing some terms saying they aren't refundable but from experience given months advance notice I've received refunds. 

 

One course I feel kind of bad as they seem to want to do bank transfers and that doesn't work with US banks and the card I paid needed to be replaced after I paid so they say they can't refund to the card, so they have said they could mail a check.

[hammergolf]

On 6/2/2025 at 12:36 PM, act0fgod said:

None of the others required payment at the time of booking?  I feel that's become the standard now.

Yeah, I’m surprised any courses don’t require payment up front.