Well Team, it happened. The Hairy Putter gassed up the PJ (United, Club Access) and flew me to Scotland. If the posting schedule is a bit wack, bear with us. We’re probably on 12 of your Bucket List’s favorite Bucket List. This week will be a walk through East Lothian and St. Andrews. Ever heard of it? Thought so. Y’all are current on East Lothian tracks. Wish I could respond to all texts, but I’m on Airplane mode sans Wifi. For the week, get ready for course reviews, scenes, and an update our two on our stableford.

Our walk starts in Aberlady. Home to the 35th oldest club in Scotland, Kilspindie is a short(ish) track that was originally known as Luffness Golf Club. After the Great Schism, a certain unnamed sect of members broke off to start New Luffness GC. Took forever to name that one. The original track is now (still) known as Kilspindie. Legend has it the New Luffness Boys attempt to buy the name back every year. They’re greeted with a prompt “FRIG OFF”.

How do I describe Proper Links as someone who grew up in CA? Well, the first tee is a cross wind par 3. Blowing 10, gusting 20mph. We were treated to clear skies, sun, and opening par (for me). Tee 2? Dead into the teeth. Raining. Gusts to 30. Double comes fast and easy against the breeze.

Here’s my interpretation of Kilspindie: you can short side yourself after your tee shot. The downwind holes present no length. You can take six iron off some tees. You will always only have a wedge in. But because you need to play your second short of the green, and watch it roll out, if you have no angle to the mouth, then 5 is a good score. Playing vertically with any approach shot is a non-option. More to the point, in to the wind, prepare for a 110yd 9 iron. Flighted. It’s not so much about hitting the fairway as it presenting any reasonable angle to the green. A wayward tee shot can’t be rescued by any type of lofted second shot. Not to dumb it down, but IN AMERICA, even with a wayward drive, a well played second (plus an up and down) can produce 4. At Kilspindie, all second shots require more thought and you’ll still be hunting 5.

It’s an appropriately lengthed course (5500yds) and amazing start to any Scotland trip. An opportunity to introduce yourself with driver/wedge par 4’s, but also a chance to eat some wind and rain. I didn’t touch on half the history of this track. Maybe HP can catch us up. For now, it’s time to put this pen down and get ready for North Berwick (and New Luffness).