A guide to green fee value for money

Category: 3 star (Page 7 of 7)

20. Wee Braids. 3rd July 2015

Wee Course – Massive Views

Summary:  Midweek £22 (round) £12 (9 holes); weekend £23.25/£12.50 .   Par 33.  Value (out of 5) – 3

Detail:  

Edinburgh views beyond the 6th green of the Wee Braids Course

Edinburgh views beyond the 6th green of the Wee Braids Course

The “Wee Braids”, sometimes know as the “Princes Course”, is a 9 hole golf course run by Edinburgh Council.  It is on Braids Hill, on the south side of Edinburgh, accessed from the city via Morningside Road.  It shares the hill with several golf courses, although it is the highest one, perched on top, which makes for quite magnificent views of Edinburgh and the Forth Estuary.   Indeed, it’s worth starting any Edinburgh holiday with a round here to orientate you to the city and area:  with the many restaurants and cafes of Morningside there is plenty to do for non-golfing partners.

Approach to 1st at Wee Braids

Approach to 1st at Wee Braids

It’s a very tricky little course, with several of the tee shots and approach shots being blind, therefore its especially difficult if you only play 9 holes without any local knowledge as I did – plus it was not accessible from my golfshot mobile application, my trusty golfing companion.

5th approach at Wee Braids

5th approach at Wee Braids

The course itself, was in good condition.  It is part parkland, part heathland on the upper slopes, with very dry fairways and greens, making for great difficulty getting your ball to stay on the greens.

The first 2 holes are difficult, being uphill, with the first being the SI 1 hole, and the second played through a thin channel to a very small green.  The blind drive on the 5th is a particular challenge if the wind is off the left.

Wee Braids 8th green

Wee Braids 8th green

The 8th, played through an avenue of trees, demands a straight drive;  my recompense for hitting into the trees was finding about 5 balls, but not my own!

I had a bad start with an 8 at the first, then after some steady holes, a 7 and 8 and the 7th and 8th respectfully, made for a fairly miserable 50, versus the par 33.

Nonetheless, a nice little course, well worth a visit.

 

Key Facts

Course Type: parkland/heathland

Green Fees:  

Round (18 holes):
Weekday (£16.50 (concession) £22.00)
Weekend (£17.35 (concession) £23.25

9 holes:
Weekday (£9.00 (concession), £12.00)
Weekend (£9.35 (concession), £12.50)

Par 33 (0 par 5, 6 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance(white)   2390 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 50

Moly'd Wee Braids Scorecard - 50

Moly’d Wee Braids Scorecard – 50

 

4. St Michael’s, Leuchars; 17th Dec 2013

Beware the Typhoon

View to Momument adjoining course

View to Monument adjoining course

Even though it was December,  all tees and greens were fully in play, due to the great drainage provided on Gallowhill, which the course sits on.   Although this is on a hill, the course itself is not a difficult walk;  however, it does have some fine views, to the Sidlaws to the North beyond Dundee and South towards St Andrew’s bay overlooking RAF Leuchars, which is only a couple of miles away.

 

Typhoon from the nearby RAF Leuchars

Typhoon from the nearby RAF Leuchars

Indeed, one of the key hazards is the noise of the Typhoon fighter jets as they take off and land at the base.  This course is a real joy for the plane spotter, and there can’t be a much better location to view the annual RAF Leuchars show in September each year.

Wide fairways on most of the par 4s and par 5s, make this a slightly flattering course for the more wayward driver (me!), albeit the par 3s present the sternest test on this course.

In particular, club selection on the downhill 15 is key to avoid going over green onto railway line.

Walk down to the short Par 3, 15th Green

Walk down to the short Par 3, 15th Green

 

 

 

I played the 17th as a long par 3 with the Dundee-Edinburgh train line hugging the left of

17th Hole with the Aberdeen to Edinburgh train

17th Hole with the Aberdeen to Edinburgh train

the fairway, and a real challenge for anyone who draws/hooks the ball.   In other than winter, this hole is a short par 4, and an easier prospect when a mid to long iron would be a sensible tee club choice.  I hit a lucky low running rescue off the tee to about 20 feet, and 2 putted for a par – I’m sure the members would buy that.

 

 

Play the pars 3 to handicap should see you beat your par at this nice little course.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Green Fees: 

Nov – Mar;  £15 any day

Par 68 (1 par 5, 5 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

Distance: 5588 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 86.

St Michaels Scorecard

St Michaels Scorecard

 

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