Newbattle golf course is a 18 hole tree lined parkland course situated near the town of Dalkeith in Midlothian and only seven miles from Edinburgh.  The course measures just less than 6000 yards and is a par 69. It is known as a hidden gem and any golfers visiting Edinburgh for a golf break or just happens to have their clubs with them should make their way to this simply superb course.

Newbattle is set within Newbattle Abbey and it is a matter of historical record that over the centuries many Kings and Queens have played over the land which the course stands.  The original Dalkeith golf club was formed in 1880 and a 9 hole course was laid out in 1896, over the 6 years the club played on nearby links courses. In 1934 the club moved to its present site and became Newbattle Golf Club.  The first two holes and the last two holes of the course are laid out along the ridge on which the clubhouse stands and on the lower ground along the River Esk.  The rest of the course is on higher ground on the opposite side of the river which is crossed by the centuries old Maiden Bridge.

We turn up to play this fantastic golf course on a Sunday night and the weather is perfect.  Thank you to Newbattle for their kind concession.  I (Craig) have had the pleasure of playing over this course with my good friend David Kidd over the years and also where I won my first boys open competition the under 14’s.  Stu having not played this was in for a treat as I had played the night before and the course was the best I have ever seen it – the greens were simply superb.  Stu got off to a great start making pars at the 2nd and the 4th however the tricky 5th and 6th took three shots off of him mainly due to their length and Stu hit the turn in 42.  A good back half with only one real blemish coming at the par 5 (13th) where Stu made 7 from no-where.  Stu made four 4’s at the 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th and made good bogeys at the tricky par 4’s (10th, 17th and 18th).  Craig having scored 70 the day before and starting to hit a bit of form managed to score a two under par 67 with birdies coming at the 2nd, 7th, 10th and 15th.  These were off-set by two silly bogeys at the 3rd and the 9th.

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