West Lothian Golf Courses (Part 2)
Golf in West Lothian
There are many good golf courses sitting just outside Edinburgh, in the three Lothian regions. The purpose of this blog is to give you an idea of what sort of courses you will find, when playing golf in West Lothian.
This second blog on Golf in West Lothian features (in no particular order) Pumpherston GC, Uphall GC, West Lothian GC, Linlithgow GC and Kingsfield Golf & Leisure. These courses all offer great value. 18 holes will cost you from £20/£35 per round, depending on which course you play and when you play it.
In addition to golf, there are many things to do and places to visit for all age groups in the region. There are hills to climb, country parks to walk around, canals and historic buildings to visit. You can even wander around some of the film location spots from the TV Series ‘Outlander’. I have listed a small handful of ‘what to do in West Lothian & surrounding area’ at the end of the blog plus I have added in some accommodation details.
Pumpherston Golf Club
Location
Pumpherston Golf Club is located just outside Livingston and only 20 minutes by car from Edinburgh.
The Course
The course, originally nine holes, was extended in 2002 to 18 holes, by Graeme Webster. Over the extension period, the greens were constructed to USGA standard and numerous water features were added.
In addition to the water hazards, there are plenty trees, bunkers and out of bounds, to test your confidence, as you plot your way around! You will also get some great views over the surrounding countryside.
Holes
As you set off, the first hole that will make an impression on you is the dogleg right 2nd hole, where a well placed drive is essential, if you’re going for the green with your second, avoiding the water!
The third is another dogleg right but this time a hollow at the right hand side of the fairway will swallow your ball up and feed it into the thick stuff, if you’re off target!
You’ll want to keep your ball left, on the fifth, as your eye will be drawn to the five bunkers down the right!
By the time you’ve finished the sixth hole you’ll have completed 3 dogleg right holes but the next few holes are a lot straighter.
You’ll encounter water twice at the seventh and face a tough par 3 on the eighth. The ninth hole returns you to the clubhouse but make sure you play it down the left again, as water looms front right of the green.
The back nine holes are made up of three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s. The first of the par 5s come at the tenth and is the longest hole on the course.
As you head to the eleventh hole there is a bit of a walk down to the older part of the course where you’ll stay until the 17th hole.
The course feels a bit tighter and out of bounds, water and bunkers feature on most of these holes. There are a number of holes that you would perhaps pick out as your standout hole. The par 3 thirteenth with water running the length of the hole and the fourteenth, which has water on the right.
However, it is the par 4 sixteenth at 255 yards (back tees) that most people remember. It maybe one of the shortest par 4s you’ll ever play, but the green is surrounded by water on three sides. With a narrow entrance for your approach shot, a par 4 certainly isn’t guaranteed at this short hole!
The par 5 seventeenth is another good hole, veering left then turning right as you approach the green.
To get to the 18th hole you have a bit of a walk back up the hill to the tee. On this hole, you will see well placed bunkers and water features, both which will influence your choice of shots on this lovely par 5 finishing hole.
Pumpherston GC is a good layout and I feel the old and the new holes work well together, adding variety all the way round. The club has a handful of Opens in August & September and if you haven’t played the course before, one of these would be a good opportunity to try it out:
Opens
- Seniors Open – 23 Aug 2018
- Seniors 3 man Texas Scramble – 11 Sept 2018
- Mixed Open Greensome – 22 Sept 2018
Uphall Golf Club
Location
Uphall golf club lies apx. 9 miles from the west of Edinburgh on the A899 Broxburn Road.
The Course
Uphall GC is a 5646 yard, par 69 course, which is split into two sections by the A899 road, leading to Broxburn.
Seven holes lie on the clubhouse side of the road, where a burn works its way through the undulating ground. The other eleven holes surround the MacDonald Houstoun House Hotel on relatively flat, tree lined parkland terrain.
Holes
Your first real challenge here is the par 3 third hole. It is a tough hole at the best of times; however, when the prevailing westerly wind is in your face, you’ll do well to walk off with a 3.
Across the A899 to the fourth where you’ll have to deal with 395 yards of tight tree lined fairway, with not too much margin for error, left or right.
Holes 5 to 13 include one par 3 and one par 5, the rest are par 4s that work their way back and forth over a fairly open parkland.
The fourteenth is another straight, tree lined 412 yard par 4 that needs two good, straight shots, if you’re to hit the green in two.
As you cross back over to the clubhouse section of the course, you’ll have two back to back par 3s, The Double (15th) and The Burn (16th).
The 15th green doubles with the 2nd green and there are 3 bunkers waiting at the front and right of the green for any wayward shots.
The 16th is short but you’ll have water to cross and tall trees around the green to negotiate. Hit the green and you’ll have a birdie opportunity, miss the green and you’ll do well to finish with a bogey!
The 17th is a short par 4 heading away from the clubhouse and the 383 yard par 4, 18th hole brings you back home.
On the clubhouse side of the course some holes maybe termed ‘quirky’. The first time you play it, you maybe asking yourself on the second green a) what other hole is the green shared with b) where are the other players likely to be playing from & c) who has priority?
Most double greens have players approaching from opposite directions but the 2nd & 15th double green at Uphall has players from both holes, approach from a similar direction. It maybe the only double green in Scotland that operates this way!
The 3rd and 15th holes cross each other, so that’s something to look out for when teeing off and approaching the greens. However, after you’ve played it for the first time, all will become clear. The professional will keep you right as well, before you tee off.
Uphall golf course maybe short but it has some interesting holes, which will test all levels of golfers. The course is not expensive to play, offers great value for money and it won’t take you an age to get around.
West Lothian Golf Club
Location
West Lothian GC is located between Bo’ness and Linlithgow and is about 2 miles from the M9 motorway. The course is only 20 minutes from Edinburgh, 30 minutes from Stirling and about 50 minutes from Glasgow.
The Course
West Lothian is a 6249 yard Par 71 championship course. Once again, we have a course split by a road, although this is a much quieter road than the A899 at Uphall GC.
The outstanding feature of West Lothian Golf Club is the fact that it is on top of Airngath Hill and the views are nothing short of spectacular.
The views facing west, lead you right up the Firth of Forth and the Forth Valley. Looking north, your eyes are drawn to the Ochil Hills and southwards, you’ll look over Linlithgow and Linlithgow Palace. The views to the east, are dominated by the three bridges at Queensferry. However, looking passed the bridge, you’ll see Berwick Law in North Berwick and the Bass Rock.
This is another course that had a distinct links course feel to it when I visited. Having said that, there are plenty trees on the bottom half of the course, which will remind you that you are on a parkland course.
West Lothian is unusual, in that it actually has 19 holes – it uses an additional hole, after the eighth, for those only wanting to play nine holes and finish at the clubhouse.
The official ninth hole leads away from the clubhouse and this is the one you use if you’re playing the full 18 holes. Nice idea for those pressed for time.
Holes
Holes 1, 2, 16, 17 & 18 are on the flatter side of the road, by the clubhouse and the remaining holes are on the other side, which lie on the slopes of Airngath Hill down towards the Firth of Forth.
The first heads out towards the Hope Monument, which sits to the right of the first green. The Hope Monument dates back to 1859, commemorating Brigadier Adrian Hope, killed in India, 1858. Adrian Hope was Lieutenant Colonel in the 93rd Highlanders and youngest son of General John, Fourth Earl of Hopetoun.
The second takes you back to the clubhouse before you head down the hill at the third. There isn’t too much trouble on the first five holes if you keep it straight but it gets a bit tighter from six onwards.
Throughout the round you’ll find that the holes change in four different directions – the good thing about that is you get a bit of respite from the prevailing westerly wind, if it’s blowing.
A climb up the long fourteenth will get you back on flatter ground where you’ll cross back to the clubhouse side of the course for the final three holes.
The 18th is a par 3 and a very scenic one at that, with views over the Firth of Forth, as you play from an elevated tee down to the green, nestled next to the clubhouse.
West Lothian is a lovely course with spectacular views that constantly change with the light and weather during the day. If you haven’t played West Lothian golf course before, I’d certainly recommend it!
Opens
The club still has a Gents Open on the 1st September (entry £10) and they also do an 18 hole package, which includes Coffee/Tea and a hot roll on arrival for £35 (weekday) & £40 (Sat-Sun). More details on their website: www.westlothiangc.com
Linlithgow Golf Club
Location
The course is only 25 minutes from Edinburgh, 30 minutes from Stirling and about 45 minutes from Glasgow.
The Course
Linlithgow golf course sit on the slopes of a hill, which has views out over the Forth Valley, Linlithgow and the Ochil Hills to the north. It’s a par 70 and is 5,851 yards in length from the back tees.
The club has had an association, for over 65+ years, with the MacKinnon family who owned ‘Drambuie’ until 2014. Back in 1950, Gena MacKinnon helped Linlithgow GC, by buying land and leasing it to the club, so the course could be extended to 18 holes.
Holes
Many of the holes are laid out across the slope, so your ball will run off the fairway. The key thing on the tee is picking your landing spot and trying to work out what the ball will do when it lands there.
The first hole is named ‘Drambuie’ for reasons mentioned above. Up ahead you will see a banked green, of which there are a number on the course due to the slopes. Rolling off the sides of these greens can leave awkward shots back onto the putting surface.
The opening six holes are not particularly long but with elevation changes and sloping terrain, they will seem longer than the scorecard suggests.
Two back to back par 3s at 7 & 8 are followed by one of the longer par 4s at the 9th. On this hole, trees, out of bounds and a dip in the fairway are the main points to consider but if the prevailing westerly wind gets up, it will make it the toughest hole on the course.
No respite at the tenth, where you’re met by a 232 yard (back tees) par 3 and once again, it’s into a westerly wind.
The next five holes can offer up birdie opportunities though – the 11th 316 yard par 4, two back to back par 5s at the 12th (530 yards) & 13th (501 yards), followed by two par 4s at 14 & 15, both under 280 yards.
The 17th is a memorable 172 yard par 3 which plays shorter that its yardage, as it’s downhill. If you over club, you have the Union Canal and the thick rough waiting!
The 413 yard, 18th is a good finishing hole, where you have to drive over a ravine to a right to left, sloping fairway. The hole is named ‘Union Canal’, as it runs along the canal side. Your drive is likely to be thrown towards the trees and rough on the left, lining the canal and you may be blocked out for your second, if you don’t hit your target off the tee.
Opens
Linlithgow golf course is one that you will have an advantage at, if you have played it once or twice before. If you’re looking to golf in West Lothian, why not book a bounce game before entering one of their Opens below?
- Senior Open – 15 August 2018
- Ladies Greensome Open – 26 August 2018
- Stableford Open – 19 August 2018
- Texas Scramble Open (4) – 16th Sept 2018
See website for more details – www.linlithgowgolf.co.uk
Kingsfield Golf and Leisure
www.kingsfieldgolfandleisure.co.uk
Kingsfield Golf and Leisure sits on the edges of Linlithgow just off the M9 motorway. Its only 20 minutes from Edinburgh, 25 minutes from Stirling and 45 minutes from Glasgow.
Kingsfield opened it doors in 2009 and is a golf complex, with a 9 hole golf course.
The 9 hole course is a 2,857 yard USGA specification course, designed by Graeme Webster, who also had a hand in the redevelopment of Pumpherston GC, as mentioned above, amongst many others.
The rest of the facilities include an 18 hole putting green, a short game area, 20 bay driving range and the Tee Caddy coffee shop.
Kingsfield has a wealth of very experienced PGA-qualified professionals available for lessons and all levels are welcomed from absolute beginners to touring golf professionals.
This is a place where you can learn to play the game and develop what you’ve learnt, in a relaxed and informal way and then test your skills on the 9 hole course.
The 20 bay driving range is east facing, which means that you’re not hitting balls into the prevailing westerly wind. Additionally, you’re protected from any wet weather it may bring, under the 12 covered bays!
There is extension work being carried out at the moment and the short game area was closed when I visited a couple of weeks ago, so best check before heading out.
Kingsfield is a place I have visited many times before and as far a golf in West Lothian goes, it really is an excellent facility to have in the area. It’s a great place to start, build & develop your golf game.
Last week’s blog was Part 1 of Golf in West Lothian and you can read it by clicking HERE – next week’s blog will be on the golf courses of Midlothian.
What to do in West Lothian & surrounding area
The Five Sisters Zoo, Polbeth/West Calder
Five Sisters Zoo Website
Bathgate Hills & Cairnpapple Hill (4,000 year old burial site)
Cairnpapple website info
Beecraigs Country Park
Beecraigs website info
The Scottish Owl Centre, Whitburn – Largest collection of owls in the world
Scottish Owl Centre website
For fans of the Outlander TV series, you’ll know there was a lot of filming done in West Lothian. Here are a couple of websites offering ‘Outlander’ tours around West Lothian.
- Mary’s Meanders – www.marysmeanders.co.uk/
- Mini Kilt Tours – www.onthetrailofoutlander.co.uk
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle website
House of the Binns
House of the Binns website
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace website
Craigie’s Farm Shop & Café
www.craigies.co.uk
Almond Valley Heritage Centre
www.almondvalley.co.uk
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park website info
Linlithgow Canal Centre
www.lucs.org.uk
Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
www.bkrailway.co.uk
Dalmeny House
www.roseberyestates.co.uk
Hopetoun House
www.hopetoun.co.uk
South Queensferry & the Forth Bridges
www.visitqueensferry.com
The Kelpies
www.thehelix.co.uk
The Falkirk Wheel
www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/
Accommodation in West Lothian and surrounding area
Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh Airport
Hilton Airport Hotel website
Dalmahoy Hotel
www.dalmahoyhotelandcountryclub.co.uk
Dakota Hotel
www.edinburgh.dakotahotels.co.uk
Star and Gartar Hotel
www.starandgarterhotel.co.uk
Norton House Hotel
www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/nortonhouse
Champany Inn
www.champany.com
Livingston Hilcroft Hotel
www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotel
