Swanston New Golf Club
4.3
47 reviews
| Post Review
| Website
Price Guide: £££ | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Course Information
Swanston New Golf Club, is a 27 hole golf club with the 18 hole, par 68 Swanston Course & 9 hole, par 60 Templar Course. A private golf course where everyone is welcome
27 holes | Par Swanston Course 68; Templar Course 60 | Swanston Course 5763,Templar Course 2706 yards | Private | Parkland
View more golf courses in Lothian
Address: 111 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH10 7DS United Kingdom
Tel: 0131 445 2239
Golf Pro: Stephen Speirs
Website: http://www.swanstongolf.co.uk/
Golf Club Facilities
Range
Club Hire
Buggy Hire
Golf Shop
Changing
Clubhouse
Bar
Dining
Function Room
Accommodation
http://www.swanstongolf.co.uk
Midweek Guide: £15.00 per round winter £20.00 per round summer *
Weekend Guide: £20.00 per round winter £30.00 per round Summer *
- Societies Accepted to Play
- Society Deals Available
- Voucher Deals Available
- 7 Day Membership Available
- 5 Day Membership Available
Restrictions: Maximum Handicap No Restriction
* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.
Tee Time Information
Midweek Guide: £15.00 per round winter £20.00 per round summer *
Weekend Guide: £20.00 per round winter £30.00 per round Summer *
* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.
Review Information
GOLFSHAKE RATING
4.29
AVERAGE RATING 4
(based on 47 reviews)
5 star
17
4 star
19
3 star
8
2 star
2
1 star
1
HIGHLY RATED
100%
would play again or recommend
|
|
Played this course? Tell us what you thought. Submit Review
Reviews for Swanston New Golf Club
Sort by: Date | Review Rank | Rated High | Rated Low
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
Jim H rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 7 2013
Some of the best views in Edinburgh on Swanston looking over to Fife and well worth the climb. Excellent set up with good practice facilities and a well designed short 9 hole course ( The Templar). The 6 new holes created 6 years ago have now bedded in and are very impressive. While not the longest course it's a good test of golf. The Par 3's at the 11th, 14th and 15th are as good as you will find anywhere in the Lothians. Major investment has been made with a tremendous modern Clubhouse which is open to non golfers and the course is well maintained with the greens in superb condition. Very friendly team of starters in the Shop led by Stuart . 2 Pga
qualified coaches and 2 in training. The set up created at Swanston is the way forward for Golf- relaxed, informal and an all round good set up. Recommend for an outing be it on the full course or if time is tight the 9 hole Templar and the quality of food and service in the Brassiere is excellent.
qualified coaches and 2 in training. The set up created at Swanston is the way forward for Golf- relaxed, informal and an all round good set up. Recommend for an outing be it on the full course or if time is tight the 9 hole Templar and the quality of food and service in the Brassiere is excellent.
Reviewer Rating
Rate Helpful
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Alasdair K rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 5 2013
Played here for the first time last Friday and overall enjoyed the course. Clearly this course has undergone some serious work over the past few years and it still feels a bit like a 6 hole course and a 12 hole course rather than a fluid 18 hole course.
The course in general was very well kept with greens, fairways and tees all in nice condition. Some of the rough is horrendous though, something that I didn't see the need for to be honest. For example on the long, uphill, into the wind 14th you have a gorse covered hillside to your left and knee deep rough to your right, into the howling wind that we faced any slight pull or cut was completely gone.
The first 6 holes were very nice, the course designer has done a good job there, however the landscape is still a little featureless, but with time I am sure this will improve. Once you cross the road, to what I assume is the older part of the course, the holes are nicely varied and challenging with a couple of spectacular par 3s at the 11th and 15th crossing a small gorge.
I understand they are still looking at a couple more course improvements, I would suggest doing something to make the 2nd shots to the 8th and 14th a little fairer but overall I don't see a huge amount of improving being required.
The course in general was very well kept with greens, fairways and tees all in nice condition. Some of the rough is horrendous though, something that I didn't see the need for to be honest. For example on the long, uphill, into the wind 14th you have a gorse covered hillside to your left and knee deep rough to your right, into the howling wind that we faced any slight pull or cut was completely gone.
The first 6 holes were very nice, the course designer has done a good job there, however the landscape is still a little featureless, but with time I am sure this will improve. Once you cross the road, to what I assume is the older part of the course, the holes are nicely varied and challenging with a couple of spectacular par 3s at the 11th and 15th crossing a small gorge.
I understand they are still looking at a couple more course improvements, I would suggest doing something to make the 2nd shots to the 8th and 14th a little fairer but overall I don't see a huge amount of improving being required.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Graham H rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed May 31 2013
rather plain course as so new. Greens very sandy and bobbly but a fun place for a quick 9 holes.
(Round played: Apr 2013 - Score: 72 Handicap: 18.2)
(Round played: Apr 2013 - Score: 72 Handicap: 18.2)
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Frank F rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Mar 5 2013
A bit chilly to start with but warmed up as the day went on. The Club House is stunning unlike my round today :-(
(Round played: Mar 2013 - Score: 132 Handicap: 27.3)
(Round played: Mar 2013 - Score: 132 Handicap: 27.3)
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Jamie F rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Mar 17 2012
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Bradley B rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Mar 17 2012
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
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Fraser M rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Nov 6 2011
very good and well kept conditions
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Peter M rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 4 2011
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Peter M rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 4 2011
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Justin H rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 24 2009
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 24 2009
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
William D rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed May 7 2009
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
William D rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 14 2008
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Andrew M rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed May 5 2008
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.
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
David H rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Jan 29 2008
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!
Reviewer Rating
Click to notify: Spam, Abuse, Inaccurate
Show moreAdditional Ratings
The Course
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
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
Submit Review For Swanston New Golf Club
Share your thoughts to provide valuable feedback to the golf club and to help other golfers who may be planning to play here.
