Edinburgh City Centre Club (Prestonfield.Golf Club)

Member Name: scotslady

Product:	Prestonfield.Golf Club
Date:	06/07/01 (271 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful setting, Good facilities

Disadvantages: None

Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano in the centre of Edinburgh. Prestonfield Golf Course lies at the foot of it just off Dalkieth Road near the Commonwealth Pool. Established in 1920, the club purchased more land and was extended in both 1928 and 1933. James Braid, who is a famous name in golf, is responsible for the present layout. Holyrood Park and the bird sanctuary at Duddingston Loch run along the north side of the course. On the south side is Prestonfield House Hotel dating back to 1687 although the original building (destroyed by fire) was first recorded in a Royal Charter in 1153. The ruins of the old round stable building with a marquee inside are used for functions and weddings. There is usually a piper in attendance and the wail of the pipes can be heard on the surrounding holes of the course. The hotel also keeps peacocks who tend to strut about the 15th fairway.

It’s a parkland course, fairly long at SSS 70 (6214 yards) for men and SSS 73 (5365 yards) for ladies. The first three holes and the last three holes are in the undulating upper part of the course and are by far the most interesting holes on the course. There are 7 doglegs of varying severity from a very gentle one at the first hole through to a very sharp left angled one at the fourteenth.

Most of the fairways are tree lined and in the spring months, the blossom on the trees transforms the first three holes. Together with the backdrop of Arthurs Seat it makes a very picturesque setting.

THE COURSE

The course opens with a fairly straightforward tree lined 290-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg to the right. Out of bounds car park shielded by bushes and trees on the left but plenty fairway to play with.

The 2nd is a 151 yard par 3 with a two tier green protected by 4 large bunkers at the front and sides and an out of bounds wall at the back – no easy route in here.

The 3rd is a 551-yard par 5 with a right to left dogleg
. It slopes right to left too on the bend with an out of bounds wall on the left surrounding Arthur’s Seat and trees on the right. It’s a lovely hole though with a downhill drive to set you up for your next shot over the two strategically placed bunkers. The green is sheltered by the wall to the left (a mere three feet away!) and a deep gully on the right.

The 4th is a 451 yard par 4 (par 5 for ladies) It’s tree lined with plenty fairway but it’s the approach to the green that’s the tricky one. It has three bunkers in front, two to the right and of course the wall and trees to the left and trees behind. AND it’s a long shot to the green off your drive.

The 5th was revamped last year and is a fairly straightforward 179-yard par 3 with a two-tier green with bunkers each side.

The 6th is a 377-yard par 4, tree lined with a slight dogleg left.

The 7th is a 510-yard par 5, tree lined and doglegging right to a slightly elevated green.

The 8th is a 432-yard par 4 (par 5 for ladies), tree lined and doglegging slightly left to a two-tier green.

The 9th is a 146-yard par 3 surrounded by 5 bunkers and features an elevated green.

The 366 yard par 4 10th relied on the out of bounds burn, trees and fence on the right for interest but the green was damaged recently and is in the process of being revamped to an elevated two tier with resculptured bunkers – it will be opening for the new season starting.

The 11th is a 440-yard par 4 and has the out of bounds wall and trees again but on the right this time. It’s stroke index 1 and although it’s straightforward, it’s tough.

The 12th is a 436-yard par 4 (par 5 for ladies) with bunkers at driving distance and surrounding the green.

The 13th 145-yard par 3 was revamped two years ago and given an elevated green with an “interesting” (said tongue in cheek) spine and of c
ourse surrounded by trees (one of which reaches out into the fairway to partially shield the green) and protected by 4 bunkers to the front and sides.

The 14th is a 353-yard par 4 with a severe dogleg left (funnily enough its called the Dog Leg) – unless you are Tiger Woods, don’t cut the corner!

The 15th 370-yard par 4 plays downhill after the drive with a slope from left to right.

The 16th 256-yard par 4 (172 yard par 3 for ladies) is all uphill and has a ridged fairway sloping from left to right.

The 17th 436 yard par 4 (par 5 for ladies) is all uphill but fairly straightforward.

The 18th 287-yard par 4 is downhill and almost driveable for all but the higher handicap players.

FACILITIES
The club professional (John MacFarlane) keeps the shop fairly well stocked and there is a practice area, practice bunker, chipping green, putting green, changing facilities for visitors and excellent catering and bar facilities at club prices. Buggies, caddy carts, clubs etc are available for hire. There is a dress code in operation in that no jeans, trainers, collarless shirts etc are allowed on the course or in the club. Tailored shorts are allowed on the course but not in the club.

It costs £20 per round weekdays and £30 weekends during the summer. 2 Fore 1 and Bunker vouchers are accepted. A member can sign on 3 guests at a time at a cost of £4.50 each. I am a member here too. ;)

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