Braid Hills Golf Club

A municipal course that, although not long, demands respect. It’s cracking value for money, usually in excellent nick for a muni, and is worth visiting for the views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth alone. There are some great, fun tee shots to be had at the Braid Hills Golf Club course, but beware of the gorse and the often unexpected wind, due to the changing elevations across the course.

Poor course management will cost players dearly, particularly those opting to hit it long with a driver, as, despite its length, this is a challenging course and players must plot their way around the hidden corners of the Midlothian course. There are however too many blind shots, and some of the directions between holes aren’t great. It’s hilly in places and not for the unfit.

Braid Hills is a historic gem of a golf course, commanding unrivalled panoramic views across the capital.  The course offers something for all golfers: a beautiful walk, with unforgettable views to the Castle, Arthurs Seat, North Berwick Law and over the Forth to Fife; a fun challenge with a variety of holes using the natural contours and native gorse bushes to shape the course; and a chance to play on a historic course that was a testing ground for James Braid and Tommy Armour.  Braid Hills is a Par 71 that will test the experienced golfer, and give golfers of all abilities a memorable round

• Course does not have: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course does not have: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 3.5 out of 5 The best public course in the UK? 05 June 2010

  By carleast

  This is one of a number of public courses in Edinburgh but it puts the rest of them and most of the private courses to shame.  It certainly has the best views of any course in the city and probably most of Scotland.  Even though it's normally busy in the summer if you play in the afternoon you'll normally get round in 3.5 hours. Pros: Supremely challenging course that isn't just about hitting long.  You have to think your way around otherwise you'll end up in the gorse consistently.  It has more spectacluar views than most other courses you'll ever play.  It's cheap to play and very cheap to join (£365 per year or £100 for six months in the winter).  The greens are superb considering how often it gets played. Cons: The facilities aren't great and there's no bar.  No big deal as the Braids hotel is nearby. It can get busy in the summer and can get a lot of hackers.  The changes to the 7th and 14th yellow tees this year (2010) have taken away some of the greatness of the course.  Just play this course off the whites.  Can be very windy but I like the challenge.