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| Luffness |
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Luffness New Golf Club © 2006 by Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Luffness Not-So-New -- Strange name, isn't it--Luffness New? Sounds as if it's only a few months old. Makes you want to ask, "Okay, what's a 'Luffness' and where's the old one?" Actually, the original Luffness golf course was founded in 1867 and was laid out by the legendary Tom Morris--archhitect of many a great Scottish links. In 1894, however, they had to abandon their layout and start anew, with Tom Morris again as architect. The original membership was made up of "102 gentlemen as life-members on payment of six pounds each" (not a bad deal!). And thus the new Luffness course was launched. Of all the names they could have chosen, for some reason the name Luffness New Golf Club was adopted.
Luffness New Golf Club runs adjacent to the three fine Gullane courses. In fact, it's difficult to tell where one ends and the others begin. Like Gullane #1, Luffness New Golf Club is also used as a final qualifying course when the Open Championship is played at Muirfield. It has the same turf, hills, tough bunkers, deep rough, and wind that Gullane #1 has. In addition, it has fabulous greens. They are always in good shape year round. The fairways also are beautifully kept and the views from the course are stunning. The course measures "only" 6,122 yards and plays to a par 69. But, don't be put off by the yardage, it's got an AFSD of 186 yards. That's long enough for the best players. And, too, there is only one par 5 so you know the par 4s are going to be long. On a calm day, if you keep the ball in the fairway, you'll score well. Don't forget the wind (as if you could when you play it!)-it makes this course much tighter. Remember, where you are. The Firth of Forth is just a fraction of a mile away and the wind is generally a factor. Caddies have been known to say, "It will take you three to be up there in two today." Holes #2, 9, 14 and 18-all par 4s-are each over 420 yards and on many days it will take you three to get there in two, so bring your short game. Luffness New is an eminently fair course. The bunkers are well-placed, but they will severely penalize those who have trouble getting out of bunkers-especially deep bunkers. As with so many other Scottish courses, the first rule is to get out. Don't try to be too fancy. Rely on your short game to get you your par. Just get out of trouble. Take your bogie if you have to and start fresh on the next hole. The same holds true for the rough. It's penal with deep grass in some areas. Trying to do too much from a bunker or the deep rough accounts for the high scores that this course can dish out. Take a drop if you have to and get on with your bogie The greens at Luffness New are on the smallish side and relatively flat. Just because they don't have the exaggerated undulations of a North Berwick West Links course doesn't mean they are easy. Bobby Locke thought them to be "...the best greens in Scotland." Tony Yeates, the Secretary, tells me they are in the process of speeding up the greens. That should make them an even better test.
Like Gullane #1, this course has the downhill, uphill, and side-hill lies that come with the gently rolling Gullane hills. Because of the hills, it also presents the choices you will have to make to club up or down, depending on whether the green is far below you or far above you. Add to this the spectacular views and you'll have quite a good day of golf. Golf Nook Scotland rating -- a PAR.
Miscellaneous Notes -- I found this to be a friendly private club that welcomes guests. You'll enjoy the goodwill you will be shown as a visiting golfer. When women play they use the same tees as the men but certain long par 4s are made par 5s for the women. Fine food is served in the clubhouse and the bar is well-stocked. It is a bit more formal than some other clubs in the area. Tony Yeates, the secretary, wrote to me to say, "Jacket and tie is needed in nearly every room in the Clubhouse except the showers." Of course visitors are welcome to use the changing and shower facilities. There is no pro shop but you can purchase balls, gloves and a yardage book from behind the bar. No driving range either, so you'll have to warm up on your own. One more thing--it's seldom crowded so, unless you ask to be teamed up with a member, you'll probably be playing alone. Directions: The golf course is in Aberlady, about 17 miles east of Edinburgh, and only a few minutes west of North Berwick. It's on A198 about ½ mile west of Gullane Green Fees: Weekdays: 18 holes - £46 Day ticket - £66 Weekends: 18 holes - N/A Day ticket - N/A Trolley - £2.50 There are no club rentals available nor are they any buggies. SCORECARD
Secretary: Tony Yeates Assistant: Fiona Verth Luffness New Golf Club The Clubhouse, Aberlady East Lothian, EH32 0QA Scotland Tel: (0)1620 843114 Fax: (0)1620 843336 *For WHAT TO DO ALL DAY, please see Craigielaw |
