Where To Stay: Dalmahoy Hotel And Country Club
The Resort of Dalmahoy is often considered to be a premier golfing destination in Scotland premier golfing destinations and with easy access to Edinburgh, it is easy to see why.
The East course was designed by the great James Braid and offers amazing views over the Pentland Hills through a rolling parkland layout.
The East Course has a great history and was the venue for Europe's first-ever win in a Solheim Cup in 1992. The Championship layout is also regularly used on the European Scottish Seniors Open also.
Braid's traditional deep bunkers and large, undulating greens are a tough test for even the most experienced golfer and the overall design of the course is top-notch. The course can be a real brute from the tips measuring well over 7,400 yards, albeit that the holiday golfer would more than likely seek much more enjoyment playing from the club tees at just over 6,600.
There are a number of outstanding golf holes on the East course at Dalmahoy, The name of the hole probably just swings this one in our favour.
The 17th Hole aptly named “The Wee Wrecker” is a fabulous golf hole that as the name suggests has the power and ability to destroy a scorecard. Although only a par 3 measuring at 188 yards the green is heavily guarded by five monstrous bunkers and only a precise and well-struck tee shot will give the best chance of safety. Walk off with a Par on the 17th and you could well be in for a shout when counting back scorecards.
The West Course is the shorter and more user-friendly course at Dalmahoy. The course is also a James Braid design and opened for play in 1927.
Dalmahoy West is a nice warm-up round that makes full use of the Gogar Burn, which comes into play on the majority of the holes.
Although the west course is by far the easier test at Dalmahoy, The greens are much smaller and the fairways are tighter meaning a premium is placed of greater accuracy rather than distance.
You simply have to combine the west course when planning a trip to Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club. The 36 Holes of golf on offer provide contrasts that compliment each other incredibly well. The East may be the Championship round but the west is a lovely little course full of charm and character.
