Rutherford Castle Golf Club

I played here mid May 2010 and actually hit my shots on the 3rd and 4th holes during a snow storm! When 'phoning to arrange a round I was told the clubhouse was under construction and a portakabin was being used as a temporary measure. On arrival that was closed but scorecards had been left in a box which was just as well because without the map of the course I would never have found my way round. Why is it that clubs don't have directions to the next tee on the greens and in this case the tees weren't even numbered so you had to hope you were on the right one? Only two others cars in the car park when I arrived (and left) and I only saw three other golfers in my round. Whether this is due to the current lack of clubhouse facilities or the temptation to play the nearby West Linton (which I have played)I don't know, but if it is the latter I would be surprised as Rutherford Castle can hold it's own with it's neighbour. That said, parts of the course feel like you're playing on a big open field and it would be very exposed and difficult in windy conditions. Fortunately, the day I played, snow storm apart, the weather was mild and the course presented lots of challenges. Some long par 5s, a good mix of long and short par 4s and 3s. There's a big pond on the course which doesn't come into play and a stream which features on some holes looking to catch wayward drives. The turf on the fairways was lovely and springy but the greens were long and hairy and bunkers on the 2nd hole and one other which I can't remember had little or no sand in them. At the furthest outpost of the course there are some good views of the Pentland Hills but if you're thinking of playing just for the scenery then West Linton is a better bet. If you want to test your game, and your navigational skills, then this is as good a course as any. As I stood on the 15th tee looking at the course map I could see what was outlines - a dog leg with a green across the stream. Not being able to see the pin from the tee I played a lay up iron and on arrival at my ball I had 4 pins in view (to be fair the out and back pins are different colours so that narrowed it down. There was the pin I eventually figured out was mine but also pins for two par 3 holes around there and a par4 hole. If you play this course for the first time see what you think of your second shot on the 15th. All in all a pleasant round of golf on a course I enjoyed and would enjoy more so next time now I know my way round. Points awarded on basis of clubhouse not being open.

I've played this course for 7 years now and it has never got boring yet,the course has got better year by year ,the greens are the best I've played,even better than muirfield, which I've played more than 5 times so far,the course is not for the faint hearted ,but the great views and the varied holes are a challenge for any golfer, so if you want a challenging course with great views then you will not be disappointed.

I have been a member of Rutherford Castle Golf Club sincce it opened. The first two to three years it was a very wet course and localy it did not very good publicty but now it has improved dramaticly. new draining has been installed and with the recent dry spell it is playing as good if not better than any course in the district. We still do not have a proper club house but that will be on the cards in the neer future.

First played this course following its completion in the wet winter of 2001. Didn't play it again until Spring 2003. 100% improvement. The approach shot to the 5th needs to be straight measured & high flighted. On paper the par-4 6th hole appears easy but although less than four hundred yards and no man-made fairway hazzards has a stroke index of 1. An oxygen mask is needed on the green following two or three good up-hill strikes. All in all, a good mixture of holes allowing big drives, testing wind pitch shots, close play touch and deceptive green reading. I tend to play Rutherford Castle when West Linton GC is too busy, although in its own right Rutherford Castle is developing nicely into a good golfing challenge and at £15 per round is okay value.