Value golf courses in GB&I: Central & South Scotland
We've reviewed some excellent value golf courses in an effort to prove that the recession needn't mean you have to cut down on your golf. From Canterbury in the south east to Kirkistown Castle in Northern Ireland, take at look at these 50 value tracks.
Vale of Leven
GF: £20 STATS: par 67, sss 67, 5,330 yards T: 01389 752351 W: volgc.org
If you fancy playing a round on a course with stunning views over Loch Lomond and the surrounding mountains, but don’t feel like paying thousands of pounds for membership of Loch Lomond Golf Club, Vale of Leven in Alexandria could provide the solution. Founded in 1907, it’s an attractive, undulating layout. It may measure only 5,300 yards but it’s by no means a pushover. This is a course that demands careful and strategic golf. West Kilbride
GF: £45 STATS: par 71, sss 71, 6,452 yards T: 01294 823042 W: westkilbridegolfclub.com
Founded in 1893, West Kilbride is one of many fabulous links courses situated on the Ayrshire coast. With stunning views across to the Isle of Arran, it lies in the village of Seamill between Largs and Ardrossan. The original nine-hole layout was designed by Old Tom Morris, though five-time Open Champion James Braid made alterations in 1914 and again in 1923.
St Andrews Eden
GF: £40 STATS: par 70, sss 70, 6 250 yards T: 01334 466666 W: standrews.org.uk Although it dates from 1914, the Eden is just the fourth oldest course on the links of St Andrews. Originally laid out by Harry Colt, Donald Steel made some significant alterations to the course in 1989. Gorse, deep bunkers and some great undulating greens make for many superb holes. At the far end, the course takes on a slightly less seaside style, there’s even a water hazard to contend with. It’s a course where good approach play is essential, miss the tricky greens on either side and you’ll be left with a daunting up-and-down.
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The Glen – North Berwick
GF: £37 STATS: par 70, sss 70, 6,321 yards T: 01620 892726 W: glengolfclub.co.uk
Formerly a municipal, The Glen has a reputation for offering a friendly welcome to visiting parties who return year on year to enjoy superb views across to the Bass Rock and challenging – but not gruelling – golf on a well-maintained course. Predominantly a cliff-top layout, it provides an excellent complement to North Berwick’s more famous track, the West Links. Be sure to stop in the impressive new clubhouse after a round here. You can enjoy one of the local tipples while sitting in the glass-fronted lounge that offers a stunning panorama of the Firth of Forth.
Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is now a freelance journalist writing mainly for Golf Monthly. He is an expert on the Rules of Golf having qualified through an R&A course to become a golf referee. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all of the Top 100 plus 91 of the Next 100, making him well-qualified when it comes to assessing and comparing our premier golf courses. He has now played 1,000 golf courses worldwide in 35 countries, from the humblest of nine-holers in the Scottish Highlands to the very grandest of international golf resorts. He reached the 1,000 mark on his 60th birthday in October 2023 on Vale do Lobo's Ocean course. Put him on a links course anywhere and he will be blissfully content.
Jezz can be contacted via Twitter - @JezzEllwoodGolf
Jeremy is currently playing...
Driver: Ping G425 LST 10.5˚ (draw setting), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55 S shaft
3 wood: Srixon ZX, EvenFlow Riptide 6.0 S 50g shaft
Hybrid: Ping G425 17˚, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 S shaft
Irons 3- to 8-iron: Ping i525, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts
Irons 9-iron and PW: Honma TWorld TW747Vx, Nippon NS Pro regular shaft
Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 50˚ and 54˚, 12˚ bounce, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts
Putter: Kramski HPP 325
Ball: Any premium ball I can find in a charity shop or similar (or out on the course!)
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