Swanston Golf Club
111 Swanston Road, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH10 7DS United Kingdom
Just a few miles south of Edinburgh city centre, in the foothills of the Pentlands, you’ll find Swanston – offering a relaxing atmosphere, spectacular views and a great experience for golfers of all ages and abilities.
Home to John Gallagher, the 2007 Scottish Amateur Champion, our golfing facilities include the par 68 ‘Swanston’ 18-hole course, a 9-hole short-course, a 350 yard driving range and 3 full-size USGA spec practice greens.
* 18-hole Swanston Course par 68
* 9-hole par-3 Templar Course
* 350 yard driving range
* 3 USGA spec practice putting/chipping greens
* Swing Studio with PGA instruction and custom fit facility
* Modern changing rooms with showers and free day-lockers
* Golf carts/buggies, trolleys and clubs for hire Book a Tee Time
Price Guide: ££££Visitors:
- Midweek Guide: £20.00 per round winter £27.00 per round summer *
- Weekend Guide: £25.00 per round winter £38.00 per round Summer *
- Voucher Deals Available
Club Information
Swanston Golf Club is .Tel: 0131 445 2239
Website: http://www.swanstongolf.co.uk/
Golf Pro: S Pardoe
Contact/Secretary: J. Allan
Facilities: Driving range, Golf clubs for hire, Golf buggies for hire, Golf pro shop, Changing rooms, Golf clubhouse, Bar, Food available, golf course.
- 7 Day Membership Available
- 5 Day Membership Available
Location:
13 reviews from Golfshake members
Showing 13 of 13 golf course reviews for Swanston Golf Club
Reviews listed below are listed based on review recommendation and then date added.
The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
Good course, not the longest, but very hilly so quite a few sidehill lies - and the greens were very slick so accuracy was at a premium here. Apart from that the course was good condition and the clubhouse was very nice.
The Course 
Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Jamie Fon Mar 17 2012
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very nice course quite hilly though we got a buggy and it just lasted to get round 18 holes greens werent the best i dono if its just down to me not being able to read the greens they were really fast aswell clubhouse wasent that bad eather friendly people at the course aswell
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Bradley Bon Mar 17 2012
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very good and well kept conditions
Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 5/5
by Fraser Mon Nov 6 2011
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Lovely old course with some new holes added. Like playing two different courses on the old/new part of the course, but there's only a couple of weak holes. Accuracy is more key than length as the punishment for a poor shot can be severe.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Peter Mon Jul 4 2011
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Used to be a member here, and have played both old course and new course. The new holes are much better than the old (not the old 15th though, loved that hole) but they are not in keeping with the old, better, part of the course. Great, friendly, atmosphere within the club and it is a great test of golf, espcially when the wind picks up as it is quite elevated. Take away the silly fairway on the first hole and it would have scored one star better.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Peter Mon Jul 4 2011
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Gone are the days when Swanston GC was the butt of many a joke within the Edinburgh golfing fraternity! With millions of pounds of investment in the course and clubhouse which removed 'Cardiac Hill' and the wooden chalet, Swanston is now a pretty good place to play your golf.
Still not the longest of courses, Swanston has 8 new holes provide a solid test. Accuracy is the key to a good score at Swanston and one mis-placed shot could see you posting double figures. Holes 1 through 5 have not changed although the greens are far more receptive and the fairways are far more defined than previously. However, the mother of all rough will punish a wayward strike!
Hole 2 can be a card killer especially when the wind is up so due care and attention is required! Hole 6 is the first of the new holes and the design is a little disappointing. It is a tough par 4 along the side of the hill and what looks to be a good shot can quickly become a lost ball. Hole 7 has been extended to make it a dog leg par 5 and is no longer the fearsome devil it once was. There is temporary out of bounds to the right and more of that thick impossible rough bordering both sides of the fairway.
Holes 9 through 11 are unchanged and although they may seem a little daunting, keeping your tee shot straight and using your head should see you through okay.
Hole 12 through 18 are all new and you really get a feel for what the designer has tried to achieve. They have certainly come along way for being so new but watch out for the ‘odd’ stone on both the fairway and in the rough as there could be club damage if you’re not careful. Local rules allow you to mark your ball and check for stones, which is a bonus although probably best to ask the starter before play.
Hole 13 is a relatively short par 5 and can be reached in two with the wind behind but green is very tricky. 14 is a longish par 3 to a small green - why it’s so small is a mystery – and best to play short and use the slope to run the ball on as stopping the ball on the green is nigh on impossible! Hole 15 is very, very deceptive. Second shot is nowhere near what you think – 150 yard marker is definitely wrong and better to come down a club or two. I usually hit an 8 iron 150 yards but I can get there with a gentle pitching wedge! 16 is a very narrow but short par 4 to a large undulating green. Please don’t push or pull your shot, finding your ball could be a nightmare! 17 is another short par 3 to a smallish green with very subtle breaks and 18, depending on the wind direction, can either be a saviour or a killer! A very slight dog leg, you need to drive through the wall being careful not to pull your ball into the rough and a hidden pond on the left or push it too far right where wispy rough and out of bounds await. Second shot is over a small burn to a good size green which breaks several ways and if the wind is up better to take two extra clubs as there is plenty of room if you’re long.
All in all would rate ‘new’ Swanston as good as there are a couple of issues which let the side down. Yardages are questionable, new greens can very hard and small and the rough is strange – it’s either incredibly thick (far too thick) and impossible to get out of, or is wispy and grips the club resulting in balls flying everywhere! Give it another couple of years and you’ll have a very good, bordering on excellent golf course! Oh, and if you want to eat after your round probably best to reserve a table as both golfers and those looking for lunch/dinner share the bar/restaurant area and it can be very busy. Food is worth the trouble though.
Still not the longest of courses, Swanston has 8 new holes provide a solid test. Accuracy is the key to a good score at Swanston and one mis-placed shot could see you posting double figures. Holes 1 through 5 have not changed although the greens are far more receptive and the fairways are far more defined than previously. However, the mother of all rough will punish a wayward strike!
Hole 2 can be a card killer especially when the wind is up so due care and attention is required! Hole 6 is the first of the new holes and the design is a little disappointing. It is a tough par 4 along the side of the hill and what looks to be a good shot can quickly become a lost ball. Hole 7 has been extended to make it a dog leg par 5 and is no longer the fearsome devil it once was. There is temporary out of bounds to the right and more of that thick impossible rough bordering both sides of the fairway.
Holes 9 through 11 are unchanged and although they may seem a little daunting, keeping your tee shot straight and using your head should see you through okay.
Hole 12 through 18 are all new and you really get a feel for what the designer has tried to achieve. They have certainly come along way for being so new but watch out for the ‘odd’ stone on both the fairway and in the rough as there could be club damage if you’re not careful. Local rules allow you to mark your ball and check for stones, which is a bonus although probably best to ask the starter before play.
Hole 13 is a relatively short par 5 and can be reached in two with the wind behind but green is very tricky. 14 is a longish par 3 to a small green - why it’s so small is a mystery – and best to play short and use the slope to run the ball on as stopping the ball on the green is nigh on impossible! Hole 15 is very, very deceptive. Second shot is nowhere near what you think – 150 yard marker is definitely wrong and better to come down a club or two. I usually hit an 8 iron 150 yards but I can get there with a gentle pitching wedge! 16 is a very narrow but short par 4 to a large undulating green. Please don’t push or pull your shot, finding your ball could be a nightmare! 17 is another short par 3 to a smallish green with very subtle breaks and 18, depending on the wind direction, can either be a saviour or a killer! A very slight dog leg, you need to drive through the wall being careful not to pull your ball into the rough and a hidden pond on the left or push it too far right where wispy rough and out of bounds await. Second shot is over a small burn to a good size green which breaks several ways and if the wind is up better to take two extra clubs as there is plenty of room if you’re long.
All in all would rate ‘new’ Swanston as good as there are a couple of issues which let the side down. Yardages are questionable, new greens can very hard and small and the rough is strange – it’s either incredibly thick (far too thick) and impossible to get out of, or is wispy and grips the club resulting in balls flying everywhere! Give it another couple of years and you’ll have a very good, bordering on excellent golf course! Oh, and if you want to eat after your round probably best to reserve a table as both golfers and those looking for lunch/dinner share the bar/restaurant area and it can be very busy. Food is worth the trouble though.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Justin Hon Jun 24 2009
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Gone are the days when Swanston GC was the butt of many a joke within the Edinburgh golfing fraternity! With millions of pounds of investment in the course and clubhouse which removed 'Cardiac Hill' and the wooden chalet, Swanston is now a pretty good place to play your golf.
Still not the longest of courses, Swanston has 8 new holes provide a solid test. Accuracy is the key to a good score at Swanston and one mis-placed shot could see you posting double figures. Holes 1 through 5 have not changed although the greens are far more receptive and the fairways are far more defined than previously. However, the mother of all rough will punish a wayward strike!
Hole 2 can be a card killer especially when the wind is up so due care and attention is required! Hole 6 is the first of the new holes and the design is a little disappointing. It is a tough par 4 along the side of the hill and what looks to be a good shot can quickly become a lost ball. Hole 7 has been extended to make it a dog leg par 5 and is no longer the fearsome devil it once was. There is temporary out of bounds to the right and more of that thick impossible rough bordering both sides of the fairway.
Holes 9 through 11 are unchanged and although they may seem a little daunting, keeping your tee shot straight and using your head should see you through okay.
Hole 12 through 18 are all new and you really get a feel for what the designer has tried to achieve. They have certainly come along way for being so new but watch out for the ‘odd’ stone on both the fairway and in the rough as there could be club damage if you’re not careful. Local rules allow you to mark your ball and check for stones, which is a bonus although probably best to ask the starter before play.
Hole 13 is a relatively short par 5 and can be reached in two with the wind behind but green is very tricky. 14 is a longish par 3 to a small green - why it’s so small is a mystery – and best to play short and use the slope to run the ball on as stopping the ball on the green is nigh on impossible! Hole 15 is very, very deceptive. Second shot is nowhere near what you think – 150 yard marker is definitely wrong and better to come down a club or two. I usually hit an 8 iron 150 yards but I can get there with a gentle pitching wedge! 16 is a very narrow but short par 4 to a large undulating green. Please don’t push or pull your shot, finding your ball could be a nightmare! 17 is another short par 3 to a smallish green with very subtle breaks and 18, depending on the wind direction, can either be a saviour or a killer! A very slight dog leg, you need to drive through the wall being careful not to pull your ball into the rough and a hidden pond on the left or push it too far right where wispy rough and out of bounds await. Second shot is over a small burn to a good size green which breaks several ways and if the wind is up better to take two extra clubs as there is plenty of room if you’re long.
All in all would rate ‘new’ Swanston as good as there are a couple of issues which let the side down. Yardages are questionable, new greens can very hard and small and the rough is strange – it’s either incredibly thick (far too thick) and impossible to get out of, or is wispy and grips the club resulting in balls flying everywhere! Give it another couple of years and you’ll have a very good, bordering on excellent golf course! Oh, and if you want to eat after your round probably best to reserve a table as both golfers and those looking for lunch/dinner share the bar/restaurant area and it can be very busy. Food is worth the trouble though.
Still not the longest of courses, Swanston has 8 new holes provide a solid test. Accuracy is the key to a good score at Swanston and one mis-placed shot could see you posting double figures. Holes 1 through 5 have not changed although the greens are far more receptive and the fairways are far more defined than previously. However, the mother of all rough will punish a wayward strike!
Hole 2 can be a card killer especially when the wind is up so due care and attention is required! Hole 6 is the first of the new holes and the design is a little disappointing. It is a tough par 4 along the side of the hill and what looks to be a good shot can quickly become a lost ball. Hole 7 has been extended to make it a dog leg par 5 and is no longer the fearsome devil it once was. There is temporary out of bounds to the right and more of that thick impossible rough bordering both sides of the fairway.
Holes 9 through 11 are unchanged and although they may seem a little daunting, keeping your tee shot straight and using your head should see you through okay.
Hole 12 through 18 are all new and you really get a feel for what the designer has tried to achieve. They have certainly come along way for being so new but watch out for the ‘odd’ stone on both the fairway and in the rough as there could be club damage if you’re not careful. Local rules allow you to mark your ball and check for stones, which is a bonus although probably best to ask the starter before play.
Hole 13 is a relatively short par 5 and can be reached in two with the wind behind but green is very tricky. 14 is a longish par 3 to a small green - why it’s so small is a mystery – and best to play short and use the slope to run the ball on as stopping the ball on the green is nigh on impossible! Hole 15 is very, very deceptive. Second shot is nowhere near what you think – 150 yard marker is definitely wrong and better to come down a club or two. I usually hit an 8 iron 150 yards but I can get there with a gentle pitching wedge! 16 is a very narrow but short par 4 to a large undulating green. Please don’t push or pull your shot, finding your ball could be a nightmare! 17 is another short par 3 to a smallish green with very subtle breaks and 18, depending on the wind direction, can either be a saviour or a killer! A very slight dog leg, you need to drive through the wall being careful not to pull your ball into the rough and a hidden pond on the left or push it too far right where wispy rough and out of bounds await. Second shot is over a small burn to a good size green which breaks several ways and if the wind is up better to take two extra clubs as there is plenty of room if you’re long.
All in all would rate ‘new’ Swanston as good as there are a couple of issues which let the side down. Yardages are questionable, new greens can very hard and small and the rough is strange – it’s either incredibly thick (far too thick) and impossible to get out of, or is wispy and grips the club resulting in balls flying everywhere! Give it another couple of years and you’ll have a very good, bordering on excellent golf course! Oh, and if you want to eat after your round probably best to reserve a table as both golfers and those looking for lunch/dinner share the bar/restaurant area and it can be very busy. Food is worth the trouble though.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by on Jun 24 2009
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The course has now been altered and the 5 holes up the steep hill removed, it has now had these replaced by 7 new holes and it has made it a more interesting game. Six of the new holes are still having improvements made and are well worth a visit, the par is now up to 68.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 5/5
by William Don May 7 2009
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I have just rejoined this club after 20 years away from it. I was pleasently surprised at the fantastic new clubhouse with bar/resurant and coffee lounge. The view from the new lounge is great, open and calming. The course is in A1 condition and in July the course will be atered with new holes replacing the ones going up the hill. It is value for money and well worth a visit, motorised buggies are available at the starters office.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 5/5
by William Don Jun 14 2008
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The course is situated literally on the side of the Pentlands near Edinburgh and the veiws from the latter tees are superb on a bright, sunny day.
Hilly is not doing the course justice as from about 12-15, there is a pretty steep climb through some of the tough par 3s. Fairly open on the longer holes however, depending on the slope of the fairway, a what seemed perfect drive could find itself rolling down into the rough on the edge of the fairway. There is also many blind shots were a stroke saver could come in handy. The greens also ran very true and were firm and fast.
I think that some new holes have been recently opened on another section, possibly a new 12 - 18, but I would recommend contacting the club for clarification.
Generally, a great course for those who would like to test their game and fitness on many levels.
Hilly is not doing the course justice as from about 12-15, there is a pretty steep climb through some of the tough par 3s. Fairly open on the longer holes however, depending on the slope of the fairway, a what seemed perfect drive could find itself rolling down into the rough on the edge of the fairway. There is also many blind shots were a stroke saver could come in handy. The greens also ran very true and were firm and fast.
I think that some new holes have been recently opened on another section, possibly a new 12 - 18, but I would recommend contacting the club for clarification.
Generally, a great course for those who would like to test their game and fitness on many levels.
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 4/5
by Andrew Mon May 5 2008
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A very hilly course on the slopes of the Pentlands offering teriffic views of Edinburgh. Some really tricky long par 3's and some akward stances make this a challenge considering it is fairly short. Good greens help your putting once you make the dancefloor. New clubhouse is a great place to relax after what could be a fairly tiring round. You do need to be pretty fit to walk the course although buggies are available for the not so fit!
The Course Facilities/Service Value for Money Overall RatingRated 3/5
by David Hon Jan 29 2008
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The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
Score Cards
| Course | Tee | Par | SSS | Yds | ||
| Swanston Course | White | 68 | 67 | 5574 | ||
| Swanston Course | Yellow | 67 | 65 | 5186 | ||
| Swanston Course | Red | 70 | 70 | 5053 | ||
| Templar Course | Medal | 60 | 60 | 2706 | ||
If any of the data above is incorrect please use the 'Add News/Update' tab above to notify us of any changes.
Nearby
| Lothianburn Golf Club | 0.61 miles |
| Mortonhall Golf Club | 1.18 miles |
| Braid Hills Golf Club | 1.58 miles |
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