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| Musselburgh "Monktonhall" |
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Musselburgh Golf Club © June 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Beautifully manicured fairways and greens and long and deep bunkers are a feature of this parkland course, which plays nothing like its links neighbors. There are trees and gentle hills and long rough. There's even a trek over a river and under a railroad as the course meanders its way around and around. The fairways are wide and inviting. However, there is trouble on just about every one of them. This golf course hates slicers or those who overly fade the ball! For example, #4 is a straight ahead 528 yard par 5 off the medal tees with a wide fairway. Sounds easy, but there are 8 very large and deep bunkers averaging about 20 feet long which are evenly spaced up the right side while the left side has trees and heavy rough. It can be a bit intimidating because on the right side the bunkers come into play on every shot while, on the left, you know trouble awaits you all the way down.
First tee jitters are bad enough without having to compound them with a fierce looking hole. But this course starts out beautifully. Teeing off next to the clubhouse you are looking downhill to a wide-open fairway which seems to be welcoming you with open arms. It's a confidence builder and the way I like to start a round. I love the par 3s. Just looking at the yardage they don't seem too bad: 147, 157, 169 and 187 yards. But confronting them is another story. Each has fierce looking bunkers in the front, forcing you to stare at them as you line up your shot and daring you to go over them. Too short is almost definitely a bogie because they are deep and the sand is packed very hard. On some shots where the sand is packed down rather tightly, it may be better to use a lob wedge because, unless you hit your sand wedge perfectly, it will bounce on you and you'll stay in the bunker. (Why is it that par 3s almost never have a low stroke index? If you are playing a par 5 and make one or even two mistake you have 3 or 4 shots to make up for it. A poor shot on a par 3 invariably leads to a bogie. Yet, no matter how difficult a par 3 plays, it's seldom given a low stroke index.) The medal tees are not used for normal play--and certainly not for visitors unless you are a visiting pro. They are saved for tournaments and special member events. Everyday golf is played from the yellow tees. They are long enough with par 4s measuring 424, 441 and 463 yards. The wind, of course, often makes them play like par 5s. The greens, as I said, are in great shape. They putt true. My only complaint about them is that there are, with few exceptions, no undulations to be concerned about so they are very easy to read. Once you get the pace, you can score some birdies. (Maybe a mid-handicapper like me shouldn't complain!) I would rate Musselburgh Golf Club a bit higher but because of the lacklustre greens I can only rate it a par. It's a solid par and the course is certainly worth a play. The price at £25 makes it even more attractive, especially if you've gotten a bit tired of playing the links courses in the area and want to hone your game on a parkland course, Or, if you want a good 2nd course to play for the day, try this layout is a bargain. Golf Nook Scotland rating - a PAR. Directions: From North Berwick, follow A198 toward Edinburgh. When you come to the A1, take it toward Edinburgh. Stay on the A1 until you exit at "Old Craighall Junction." At the 1st round-a-bout take the B6415 toward Musselburgh. Go right at 1st round-a-bout on B6415 and proceed under a railroad bridge. Almost immediately afterwards you'll see a sign for the Musselburgh Golf Club on the right. Miscellaneous Notes: This is a very friendly club. You'll be impressed with how well you are treated. Visitors are encouraged to use their changing facilities and showers. Food and drink are available in the restaurant/bar. You can enjoy your food and drink overlooking the 1st and 18th holes. It's a great view. Buggies (electric golf carts) are available. Do remember to ask if you can play a round with a member. Green Fees: Weekday: 18 holes - £25 Day ticket - £35 Weekend: 18 holes - £30 Day ticket - £40A Trolley - £2 Buggies: Single seat - £8 Double seat - £15 Club rental - £12 Scorecard
Medal tees - par 71, SSS - 73 Yellow tees - par 69, SSS - 70 Ladies tees - par 75, SSS - 74 Pro: Frazer Mann If booking less than 7 days in advance, call Mr. Mann at (0) 131 665 7055 Secretary: G. Finlay If booking more than 7 days in advance, call Mr. Finlay at (0) 131 665 2005 Fax: (0) 131 665 7055 e-mail: secretary@themusselburghgolfclub.com www.themusselburghgolfclub.com Web: Musselburgh Golf Club Monktonhall, Musselburgh East Lothian, EH21 6SA Scotland *For WHAT TO DO ALL DAY, please see the North Berwick Golf Coast area |
