Carrick Knowe Golf Course.

I used to play this course 17 years ago and it was always a joy to play and well looked after. Obviously the greenkeeping staff has changed because the course is in very poor condition with the exception of the odd green here and there. Such a shame for such a nice course to go downhill so much. What makes matters worse is that it's so expensive at £22 a round. Edinburgh leisure need to employ new greenkeeping staff.

Having joined the Edinburgh Golf Club this year to get back into playing, I looked up the courses that they play to read the reviews. Not that I allow others to taint my view, as I can make my own mind up. I played here on 24th Feb 2008, (not long after MR John Murray (England) 19/01/08) who has reported on the course before me. I agree that the course is fairly flat, but not dull nor uninteresting. They have done what they could with the land available, and with some plentiful, and well placed bunkering, have created quite a challenge. The trees at this time of year are not bountiful in their greenery, but the planting seems to have been well placed, and I'm sure through time, this will improve. Its far from the best course around, but it is a fair challenge. I found the greens for this time of year to be in fairly good condition. (something to do with being USGA standard). Since when has the measure of a course been the number of dog-legs? (how many does St Andrew's have?) There is a council housing estate along the shortest perimeter of the course (and they do tend to be run down - nothing the golf course can do about that!). The majority of the course is surrounded by an old railway line that is now a walkway, and fairly well wooded. And yes, shock horror, a railway line runs along one side (separated by a 50yd wide urban parkway), and being a city, it is fairly busy. It did not affect any shots I played. As for the run down warehouses? There is ONE warehouse about 300yds from the course, which isn't run down, and most likely is a listed building! Its not golf at the lower end of the scale, its GOLF! Its not the cheapest, but clubs are struggling, and have to make their revenue whatever way they can. I am thankful that I come from a club in Ireland that does not look down on people wearing jeans. I personally do think people should make a bit more effort, but I'm not going to judge anybody by their clothes. So, not too bad a course at all. Not going to win any prizes for is stunning vista! (But to steal from Basil Fawlty - Its the centrre of Edinburgh! What did you expect to see? Herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain?) Good luck to the course in all its endeavours! Hope you enjoyed my weee rant! ;-)

This course is very flat, very dull and very uninteresting. I don't know what all the nonsense is about the front 9 being redesigned to USPGA standards - they're no different than the back 9 and all are on a big open field dotted with immature trees which completely lacks any features. No holes stand out. All just seem to blur into one with lots of straight par 4s and only 1 hole has a dog-leg. Add in the fact that the course is surrounded by a rather run down housing estate, a busy railway line and some ugly warehouses and you'll appreciate you're playing golf at the lower end of the scale. Don't be surprised to see other players in jeans and work boots either. At £15.50 for a round in mid January it's not particularly cheap and unless you have to get a game in I'd give it a miss as there are lots of other courses in Edinburgh to choose from. Oh, the clubhouse is pretty dismal as well.

I have played this course twice now, and as a beginner, it is very forgiving. The learning curve is just right.

Remarcable improvements to this course ensured a great round of golf. quick, true greens and well manicured fairways with tidy, playable rough areas. i played this course a year ago and boy has it came on. suitable for all ranges of golfer.

A bit hacked up, but a good starters course, slow greens,all holes reachable in two even the so called long par 5's. first time played shot a 72 easy peasy