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| Lundin |
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Lundin Golf Club © 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla A final qualifying course for the Open ChampionshipLundin Golf Club is in the town of Lundin Links. And yes, it's pronounced "London," just like the capital of England. But this is in Scotland. Confused? Well, the course might confuse you a bit too because it's a combination of a links course and a parkland course.
Designed by the great James Braid, it is a challenging course and certainly one of the most unusual ones I've played. In fact, it's a little gem and seems to be a well-kept secret, outside of Scotland, that is. It's well regarded in Scotland and is annually voted one of the best of British courses. Add to that the fact that it is one of the friendliest places to play golf and you can have yourself quite a pleasant day. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body of golf in Great Britain, thinks so highly of Lundin Golf Club that it uses this golf course as a final qualifying course for the Open Championship. Many a professional's heart has been broken by this deceptively difficult 6,394 yard, par 71 layout while trying to qualify for the "Big Show."
The first hole looks friendly enough but watch out, it can bite. And you don't want to start your round with a bogie--or worse! You tee off in front of the pro shop with the ocean on your left and bunkers on your right. You'll be tempted to favor the right side of the fairway, but make a note to yourself that the fairway slopes right so any ball too far right will roll right into the bunkers. Typical of this course is the choice you face on this first hole. This is rated as the 5th toughest hole but considering that the prevailing wind will be in your face and your second shot is uphill to a green that doesn't have a flat spot on it, you'll have your hands full making par. The second hole will let you catch your breath with an elevated tee and only 346 yards to navigate. But be prepared for the 4th--it's mean! A 455 yard par 4 with a stroke index of 3, I thought it was the toughest hole on the course. I'm straight enough but I'm not exactly the longest hitter in the world, and you need to be straight and long to have any kind of a birdie chance on this hole. And since there is a creek about 50 yards from the green, you need a long and accurate second shot. If the wind is in your face, it's usually better to lay up and pitch over the creek. If you par this hole, take your ball and run to the next hole. Like the 1st, the prevailing wind will be in your face on this 4th, so the 452 yards can easily become 500 yards. The 9th is the number 1 stroke index and is called "Long"--and it is. At 555 yards you'd better pray that the wind is at your back because you have a long way to go. The 13th is also long and is another of my favorites. It's a beautifully designed hole with a slight dogleg that you must reach on your approach so you can fire to the green through a narrow entrance lined with firs.
You'll like the 14th. Some traditionalists claim it was James Braid himself who named it "Perfection." It's 175 yards from a highly elevated tee with a great view of the golf course, the Firth of Forth, the green and the Leven Golf Club to your right (the golf clubs are side-by-side separated by a small fence--see separate write-up). Take at least one club less than you think you need.
What I like most about Lundin Links (other than the exceptional friendliness of the staff and members) is the fact that it has both links and parkland feel. It's rather unique in this sense. Just when you get into a links mode it turns parkland. Then, after playing in a parkland style, the finishing holes play more like links golf. It's really quite a treat.
One of the pros at another golf club in the area (who shall remain nameless!) told me Lundin Golf Club was his favorite golf course in the entire area. Quite a compliment from a man who can play any golf course at any time free of charge. If you get a chance, be sure to play this golf course. And when you do, try to commiserate with the poor touring pro who is trying to play his way into the Open Championship. You'll get the feel of what a really challenging layout this is. I encourage you to play this course. Golf Nook Scotland rating -- an EAGLE Scorecard
Rates: Weekdays: 18 holes - £37 Day ticket - £47 Weekends: 18 holes - £47 (Play is limited on Saturday & Sunday Weekly: £180 Three day: £90 From April thru October you must book your game if you want to play between the hours of 9 and 3:30 or after 2:30 on Saturday, and on Sunday. Miscellaneous Notes: When you call for an appointment, be sure to talk to the professional, David Webster, and ask him if it's possible that he can team you up with a member. David cannot guarantee a member to play with but he will do all he can to accommodate you. If you are fortunate to play with a member you will be glad you did because a member can increase your enjoyment of this course enormously, and lower your score, too! There is no driving range so you'll have to do your warm-ups by just swinging your club. There is a good putting green, however. You can rent a trolley for £3. Buggies (electric golf carts) are not available. If you need a caddie, be sure to reserve one in advance. It's not like St. Andrews, where caddies are always available. When I first reviewed this course in early 2002, they were using the StrokesaverTM yardage book. In my humble opinion, StrokesaverTM is the worst of the yardage books. (Not only does it barely fit in the average pocket, it is filled with advertisements. I could live with that if these books were also filled with meaningful information, but all they have is the most elementary stats--yardage from a few spots and an indication of a few landmarks. There is not even an arrow showing the direction to the next tee. I don't know why so many courses use them.) Okay, okay, enough complaining. The good news is that David Thomson, the Secretary, sent me a new yardage book, a "3D Virtual Course Guide" to be exact. It's fabulous. Not only does it show the hole in its entirety, with all the trees, traps, and undulations, it shows it in a perspective that resembles an actual 3 dimensional view. And David Webster, the Professional, has written short helpful guidance notes for each hole. (See below.) Thank you, Lundin Golf Club, for helping us hackers.
Professional: David Webster. Telephone: (0) 1333 320051
David is a truly gracious and fine gentleman. When you meet him you'll know why I say this is one of the friendliest courses in Scotland. An example: I called for a tee time and when I got to the course, David had asked a member who was scheduled to go out a little before me if he would mind waiting until I showed up and would he mind playing with me. I felt that was such a kind and thougthful thing to do. (The member couldn't have been friendlier or prouder to show me the intricacies of his course.) Secretary: David R. Thomson (0) 1333 320202 Email: secretary@lundingolfclub.co.uk Website: www.lundingolfclub.co.uk Address: Lundin Golf Club Golf Road, Lundin Links Fife, KY8 6BA Scotland Directions: About 10 miles south of St. Andrews off of the A915 on the west side of the town of Lundin Links. *For WHAT TO DO ALL DAY, please see Leven and also the St. Andrews area. |
