Views of Arthur's Seat and the historic Calton Hill monuments characterise this 18 hole par 67 course. There is an interesting mix of holes on this undulating parkland course from some tricky little par threes to some very testing par fours.  We pitch up at this course having played Winterfield and it is very wet under foot however its open and on big greens so satisfies the criteria for play.

Promptly charged £20 for a round and to be fair was worth it.  The course gets a bit of bad press however it is a great layout and yes could be better kept however is a challenging course.  It is also the home course of a good friend of mine Alastair Forrest whom I have played silloths with in the past round this course.  Craigentinny is also the home of Lochend golf club and the lads are very sociable, very welcoming and they take their golf seriously (and their bevy!)

The course opens with some straight forward par 4’s but don’t go left! Then a tough par 3 (4th) certainly tests your long iron play.  The remaining holes in the front half are reasonably fair and you can make a score.  The back half has a tough three stretch through 10 to 12 and then the course offers chances to retrieve your score although two long par 3 holes await (what is it with Council courses and long par 3’s?)

Our round was fairly non entertaining with the only real highlights was Stu and I driving the 8th and both making birdie.  A solid game saw us both paying below our handicap with Stu shooting 86 (Net 64) and Craig 69 (Net 65). 

The signature hole would have to be the 18th a challenging drive which if your brave enough and long enough you can take over the tree with a slight fade which makes the hole a lot easier (also you have about twenty yard walk to the bar probably the closest last hole to bar walk in the Lothian’s!).  One comment to make about the 18th hole is how much dog sh*te can the dog walkers put in one bin?  I was teeing off and thinking what’s that smell?  I looked at Stu and he wasn’t standing downwind so it definitely wasn’t him then I looked at the bin it was shocking.  Green keepers obviously avoid clearing that out!

Every course we give a recommendation and certainly we would recommend Craigentinny.  Not the best course in the Lothian’s however good course for all abilities, good fun and certainly any chance you get to play invitationals, opens or even a Saturday pop down and join in with the locals.

Click here to view the full Scorecard