Course of the Week -- The Gullanes  Golf International The small seaside village of Gullane (population 1,926) sits in the county of East Lothian, just a half hour away from Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. It's a very small and seemingly insignificant dot on any map that bothers to show the village, but in the golf world, it could be justly shown as another capital -- the capital of golf. If only those map makers knew, Gullane, despite its lack of size, is an institution and a world-renowned golfing Mecca.  Gullane Number 1 Course - Hills just add to an already challenging links.
Golf and golf history permeate Gullane's air and virtually every one of the locals, man, woman and child; eats, lives and sleeps the game, golf is in their blood and why not? The Royal & Ancient game has been played on the village grounds for more than 350 years. Records show that back in 1650, two groups of handloom weavers from the nearby villages of Dirleton and Aberlady met over the links at Gullane for their annual golf match. Who knows how many unrecorded golf matches had been played over the village links in prior years or even centuries? It would be another 200 years before golf in Gullane became more organized. In 1859, a group of local farmers formed the East Lothian Club and from their ranks, Gullane Golf Club was inaugurated in 1882. Bordered by Luffness New Golf Club to one side and world renowned, Muirfield (home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) to the other, Gullane Golf Club is the proud owner of no less than 3 excellent links courses of its own. At first glance the names of the three courses- Numbers 1, 2 and 3 may appear unimaginative, but they merely denote the respective seniority of the courses and when each first opened, much the same logic as is used at Pinehurst. Gullane Number 1 is the original and started out as a modest 7-hole layout. A further 6 holes were added in 1860 and it became a full 18-holer in 1884, just two years after Gullane Golf Club was founded. Gullane Number 2 brought the club to 36 holes in 1900 and Gullane Number 3 came into being 10 years later in 1910. To the most visitors, it's No. 1 they assume is the must play course of the three, but that is often due to the misconception that the number's relate to each courses rating in comparison to its siblings and such is not necessarily the reality. Most locals agree there is little to choose between Nos. 1 and 2 and each has its own character and unique challenge. Make no mistake, both are true championship layouts, ready willing and able to test the most accomplished - and to the extreme.  Gullane Number 1 Course -- A look at the 9th hole. Don't assume No. 3 can be ignored -- it may only measure a modest 5,250 yards, but it shouldn't be underestimated, possessing a charm entirely of its own and a number of exceptionally well-designed holes. The shrewdly placed bunkering is top drawer and the small greens demand accuracy and good club selection from start to finish. The layout may be short, but be warned, this is no simple walk in the park. After the examination of golf skills handed out by the other two, Number 3 can be an excellent confidence re-builder and if you are looking to play a 36-hole day, it's makes an ideal second course. Comparisons are often made between Gullane No. 1 and its prestigious, immediate neighbor, Muirfield. The locals insist it is the equal of Muirfield and many claim it's even better and a tougher test. Allowing for a little village pride and although they share the same coastline, there are some marked differences, mostly created by Gullane Hill. Muirfield is the more typical flat layout, common to most links courses, while the three Gullane tracks are built up, over and around a very significant hill that overlooks the village. This introduces a unique aspect to Gullane's brand of links golf and certainly adds an extra degree or two of challenge. In the case of No. 1, the big hitters have a distinct advantage; this is a layout that loves the tough guys and gives them every opportunity to spread the shoulders and drive the ball uphill, just as far as they are able. Brute force will be a help, but without some good course management and a healthy dose of finesse, it just won't be enough.  Gullane Number 2 dates from 1900. Climbing Gullane Hill on the first six holes has its rewards; the view from the 7th tee ranks as one of the most spectacular in golf. The view stretches from the expanse of golf holes below to Muirfield and Edinburgh in the far distance and all the way across the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down, and from here on in, you have a roller coaster ride all the way down to the 18th green. In life, No. 2 must always try harder, or so they say and Gullane's Number 2 is no different. Many believe this testy links succeeds in proving itself every bit the equal of Number 1 - and some would say it's even more interesting. Measuring 200 or so yards shorter than its older brother, the length is a tad more manageable for we mere mortals and being set back a little from the seaside (yet still a real links) the wind is not as overpowering. Yes, Gullane Hill must still be contended with, but there is not quite as much mountaineering involved, just enough to get the heart ticking a little faster. The views (this time from the 11th) are just as impressive as they were on big brother, but the layout is tighter, the bunkering maybe a shade less forgiving and more supportive of skill than brawn. You owe it to yourself to play both Number 1 and Number 2 and make your own decision as to which is better. For a few ideas on how to include The Gullane's on your Scottish golf trip, click here. © 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988. |
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