Easy walking 9 hole public course – but a no rake policy!
Round £9.30. Par 32. Value (out of 5) 1.5
Portobello is a short 9 hole pay-for-play course operated by Edinburgh Leisure, which manages 6 golf courses on behalf of Edinburgh Council; an annual 7-day membership to play all courses costs around only £400 – excellent value. However, Edinburgh Leisure’s pricing policy, with all courses priced the same on a pay-per-play basis, makes Portobello very poor value compared with the other more substantial courses (e.g. Braid Hills) on offer. That is a great shame.
1st green at Portobello, with good view of Arthur’s seat over this flat course.
It is a short, open and easy walking course of only 2566 yards, with some excellent views of Arthur’s seat, one of Edinburgh’s signature landmarks.
There is however little variation on this course, with only a couple of playing highlights of note. The 6th approach shot over a bunker some 40 yards in front of the green provides a distance judgment challenge, with the green being one of the few sloping ones. The signature hole is the long par 3 9th at nearly 200 yards and requiring a fairway wood for most I suspect.
Approach at the 6th at Portobello
The only memory of the club which will endure was the chat I had with the starter attendant, who explained the policy of not leaving rakes in the bunkers, due to the theft risk. This is a great shame, and I concluded that a better policy might be to at least put the rakes out in the morning and then take them in when the starter box closes.
The signature 9th at Portobello
The greens were in OK condition, but the tees were poor, and of course the bunkers at the mercy of the previous occupant.
Overall, a good course to learn on, or if you’re looking for a quick 9 holes.
Some Facts
Course Type: Parkland
Par 32 (5 par 4s, 4 par 3s)
Distance yards: 2566
Moly’s Gross Score: 44
Moly’s Portobello scorecard – 44 (12 over)