West Lothian golf course I situated in Bo’Ness near Linlithgow and is a Par 71 18 hole course measuring 6249 yards.  The course was originally 9 holes designed by Will Park Jnr and was converted into 18 holes and opened in 1979.  The course boasts spectacular views to the south Linlithgow with its Historic Palace and Loch and to the north the Trossachs and Ochil Hills form a prominent backdrop with Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and Kincardine Bridge.  Looking east you see the Forth Road and Rail Bridges and the Bass Rock in the distance.  However on the night we played the weather was misty and we saw none of it!

We could however see the course so in the drizzle we boldly teed off and never looked back.  First of all thanks to Linda Clyne and West Lothian for allowing us to play their course at a concession.  We thought the course was in tremendous condition (especially the greens) and was a very well laid out course.  It was fair and rewarded good golf.

The front nine was the longer of the two halves opening up with a couple of good par 4’s that require accuracy off the tee.  The 3rd a short par 4 that only requires an iron off the tee but don’t be fooled with the approach like we did.  A short flick into the green must carry all the way or be bounce in as the green slopes severely from front to back – needless to say we were off the back!  The 4th is a relatively easy par 5 that can be reached in two but be careful a two tier green awaits.  The 5th is a short par 4 that dog legs to the right and although Craig hit a driver just off the green it is not the play a lay up with a short to mid iron is required.  The 6th is a lovely short par 3 and is then followed by a 375 yard par 4 which has a slight dog leg to the left and then a short par 4 with the second shot being struck right up hill (and boy is it a hill).  Both of us misjudged the approach leading to drop shots.  Craig managed to turn in 38 with two bogeys and seven pars Stu managed a very good 45 striking the ball well which included two dongos. 

The back half is much shorter and opens with a tricky short par 4 dog leg and then a long par 3 of 196 yards.  A relatively easy par 5 of 507 yards offers chance to make birdie although a tough par 4 back up parallel with the previous hole takes it back if your not careful.  Another short Par 5 takes you back up the hill but does play longer as it doglegs to the left and is played to an elevated green.  The 15th (Craigs favourite) is a short par 3 that saw Craig almost hole in one and made his two with Stu making an easy 3 just missing his 2.  The 16th is the longest par 4 on the course measuring 447 yards and although stroke index 4 we thought was the hardest hole on the course,  A short tricky par 4 follows then a short par 3 downhill to finish although beware the green is surrounded by bunkers at the front and out of bounds at the back!  Craig managed to make two birdies in the back half coming at the par 5 12th and the short par 3 15th.  Stu only managed the one par at the 15th however a 44 back half saw Stu score a very well deserve 89 whilst Craig managed to shoot 3 over 74.  Signature hole award goes to ‘The Coffin’ which is the par 4 that takes you straight up hill with your second you just cant forget it.  Although 16th was a great golf hole.

Certainly a course we would play again and recommend to visitors.

Click here to view the full Scorecard