KILSPINDIE GOLF CLUB - 15 POINTS
The opening holes at Kilspindie run along the coast - reaching a crescendo on the par 3 8th hole. One of the best par 3s in East Lothian
East Lothian is blessed with some of the very best golf in Scotland. If you’re looking for the ultimate test, you have Muirfield. If quirk and fun is your thing then North Berwick ticks all the boxes. For three great courses all on one site then Gullane is the place to go. But East Lothian has plenty of other options too.
As you drive out from Edinburgh along the coast, just before you reach Gullane, is the village of Aberlady. You can’t see it at all from the road, but Kilspindie Golf Club is tucked in behind the village, adjoining the Firth of Forth. Golf has been played on this land since the mid-nineteenth century, but it was in 1898 that Willie Park Jr and Ben Sayers laid out the course.
Kilspindie is a perfect course for people just starting out playing the game, or coming to the end of their playing days. It’s an open course where fairways run into greens and there isn’t much rough to worry about. Playing along the water provides some lovely views and you have the opportunity to chat to your playing partners while hitting a few balls on the way, rather than worrying about where your last shot went or what challenges are to come. As a result it has taken on ‘hidden gem’ status, to the point that at least the ‘hidden’ part might need to be dropped! It’s a good course to play as a warm up if you have just arrived in the area after a long flight or drive. It’s also a sensible addition if you are looking for a 36-hole day but don’t want to get too beaten up.
It’s only 5,200 yards from the yellow tees and not much more from the whites. However, there are only four par 3s and one par 5 so expect a lot of short par 4s - seven of them are under 300 yards. The course isn’t laid out over a huge piece of land so it can feel a little claustrophobic at times and long hitters may be best advised to leave the driver in the bag, not because you will get into too much trouble but because you will be waiting for the group in front to clear the green a lot. The ninth hole is a slightly odd one, with a fence painted as a tree and an instruction not to hit a tee shot longer than 250 yards, presumably to avoid litigation with a neighbour whose garden comes close. There are some quirks on this course!
The course starts with a par 3 in front of the club house straight out towards the Firth of Forth. It’s only 150 yards but hitting an iron from the first tee with an audience isn’t everyone’s idea of fun so, for some, this may be the hardest hole on the course. The next three holes take you along the coast and the views over to Fife are really lovely.
After a couple of holes inland you come to the most famous hole - the par 3 eighth. It’s only 150 yards from the yellow tee but the challenge is all about the wind. A back right pin is a real devil to get to - it’s all carry and the water seems to do funny things to a ball. The safe play is out to the left but then you will be faced with a tricky up and down. This hole would grace any course.
There’s plenty of fun to be had on the next run of holes, most of them short par 4s. These holes play away from the water, bordering nearby Craigielaw. Water comes into play in front of the 14th green and the 18th is a lovely finish. Who doesn’t like a 228 yard par 4 to flatter the scorecard?!
Kilspindie is a really pleasant course and fun to play. I think there is a risk that its reputation as a ‘hidden gem’ has been so talked up in recent years that it could disappoint some and that would be a shame. Sure you won’t find the quirk and quality of North Berwick or Elie here. It’s probably more similar to Crail in that it is nice holiday golf. If you go into it with that in mind you will have a great time.
BOOKING THE COURSE
Booking a tee time at Kilspindie takes a little perseverance. There’s no online booking so you need to call up or send them an email. In theory, play is available 7 days a week but there is a very active membership so getting a time isn’t always easy. The green fee ranges from £90 in the week at winter to £170 at the height of summer. Don’t expect to find many deals here, they don’t seem to be chasing the visitor pound!
TOUR TIPS
Kilspindie is just outside the village of Aberlady and a five minute drive from Gullane.
If you have a group looking for someone to stay then have a look at One Fairways in Gullane. I have a vested interested in this as it is a holiday let I set up for golfers looking for luxury accommodation in the heart of Gullane!
Closer to Kilspindie, the Duck’s Inn in Aberlady is a popular spot with golfers and the owner, Malcolm, knows how to ensure golf parties get a good experience - including a bar putting challenge.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to great golf in the area. My advice to most people is try to mix and match between the greats of Muirfield and North Berwick and the more quirky courses like Luffness, Kilspindie and Dunbar. And of course, Gullane itself is a bit of a golfing mecca with three courses (imaginatively named 1, 2 and 3). All of them give wonderful views over the Firth of Forth and over to Fife. You definitely won’t be short of great golf on a visit to East Lothian!
This video from No Laying Up does a great job of bringing the place to life. Enjoy!
CONTACT DETAILS
Kilspindie Golf Club,
Aberlady,
East Lothian,
EH32 0QD,
Phone: +44 (0) 1875 870358
E-mail: bookingenquiry@kilspindiegolfclub.co.uk
Web: www.kilspindiegolfclub.co.uk
