(2.005 Rating) A heavily wooded short technical course.
- SHOT SHAPING - Any player that likes shorter technical holes with subtle movements may love this course. Most holes have a left to right line, but there are a couple straight tree gaps and one or two good hyzer routes. I liked the RHFH "S" lines on (2) and (4). I just wish I had brought one of my flick discs.
- RAW BEAUTY - A touch above average. Pretty much all heavily wooded shots though healthy looking trees of mixed species, and yes, lots of "crooked" pines. A couple small creeks dice through the layout as well. No backdrop views from the course layout itself or elevation features. A nearby highway is the one detractor with the constant buzz of traffic noise audible from every hole. Plus the highway itself can be seen peaking through the foliage on a couple holes.
- CLUB HOUSE - The course is built on unused land of an adjoined park and ball golf course. Thus with any ball golf combo, there's a nice clubhouse with restrooms and bar/restaurant area. With green fees comes a scorecard and course map. Disc are available to borrow for a cost, but I forgot to ask if they could be purchased.
- NAVIGATION AND SIGNAGE - Solid. As stated above, scorecard and map with green fees. A course map is also posted at tee (1). Tee signage is adequate showing the general line through the woods. Baskets are clearly labeled and there are navigational cues on the pathways between holes.
- QUICK PLAY - I blew through two rounds in 45 minutes. Figure a group of 4 twice through at around 100 minutes.

Crooked Pines has a few issues and some un-natural tight arcing lines.
- FAIRWAY WIDTHS - I appreciate tight fairways, but I felt too many of these lines required threading 4 to 6 wide lanes and pinch points. Considering this is the first course in Edinburgh, this will discourage beginners.
- FORGIVENESS - Missing the tight gaps and pinging trees is going to happen here. I had to make several pitch outs over two rounds where I had no look at the basket. I smacked a tree on (6) and it landed in the hard to reach 4 foot deep trenched creek bed. Lots of moderate and heavy overgrowth areas as well.
- UNIQUENESS - Despite the nice shot shaping noted in the pros, the overall variety isn't the best. All tunnel shots and a clear favoritism to LHBH and RHFH players. No chances to grip and rip it and no elevation. Water features are limited to mid fairway perpendicular creek crossings. There is one listed par 4 on hole number (3), but its only 239 feet. The line on (3) dissolves into a poke and hope pathway for the last 50 feet, however I still tapped in for an easy 3 both times and had eagle looks from just outside the circle. I'd say it's a par 3.
- TEES AND EXTRAS - I found the tees to be sub-par. Small wood framed boxes above ground with gravel as the infill surface. I forgot to walk them off, but I think they were 4 feet by 7 feet. Several were already uneven despite the course's young age. There are also six short pads that measure 3 feet by 3 feet and they are comprised of the same materials as the back pads. As for lacking amenities, no benches, no alternate basket locations and no practice basket. The parking lot is dirt, or mud when it rains. Also note that the clubhouse amenities are 1500 feet away.
- PAY TO PLAY - £5 for a day pass is a pretty steep price to pay for a 9 holer. (Rollin Ridge costs $5 for a full day pass) Playing with borrowed disc is a little more at £12. Note, I did not ask if you get some of this back when you return the discs. This is way too pricey, even for UK standards. I'd be willing bet that they average less than 50 players a week and that many players are from out of town.

The first disc golf course in Edinburgh. It's an ok course that will appease the addiction for the traveling course bagger. Due to the costs and challenges presented, I question whether Crooked Pine will grow the disc golf population. I did not see one other player on the course during the time I was here. The course has some nice elements to it, but It would not make my rotation unless it was within a mile from my home and if it was free. I'm glad that I got a chance to play it, as I wanted to check Scotland off the bucket list.
- CHALLENGING - It felt about average or perhaps a touch above, although I'm kind of unsure. I didn't play all that well, but I attribute some of this to bringing only two discs, and my putter was a new purchase from Quarry Park in Warwick. It was also very windy, like 30 mph gusts. I think 900 rated players should average 27.

Tees - All purpose built gravel tees are elevated off the ground. Some holes have multiple tees, so make sure you are playing from the right one dependant of which course you are playing

Tee Signs - Every Red tee has a map displaying the challenge you face. There are no signs by the Gold tee's but, you have to walk past the Red tee on each hole so it doesn't take much effort to have a quick glance.

Baskets - Prodigy baskets are superb. The blue rim can be difficult to spot in the trees sometimes!

Clubhouse - I was really excited to find that a good range of discs were being sold in the clubhouse. The Pro was friendly and seemed very knowledgeable about Disc golf.

Horses - There is a Bridleway running through the centre of the course. This was an issue for me on the 1st tee, as 2 horseriders came around the corner as I was teeing off. There are no signs to warn you it is a bridleway so I was unaware I needed to check

Clubhouse - When driving to the course, the car park closest to hole 1 is the 1st right turn after the motorway bridge, however, the clubhouse is 500m up the hill and so walking up to walk back down is frustrating.

This is the first course I have played in the UK which is fully contained within a wood. This was a new challenge for me, as every hole required careful placement of your tee shot or else you will be in a dense thicket of trees with no direct route to the basket.

Hole Descriptions:

Hole 1 - Short downhill hole to start, across the bridleway. Ensure you have a spotter down the path so you don't run the risk of hitting other users. Also be aware of the stream behind the basket

Hole 2 - A longer hole with a stream crossing halfway down. The first silver birch directly in front of the tee has a Number 2 arrow on it, so I took this to be a mando. Difficult second shot through a small gap (near the gold tee) could be tricky dependant on where your tee shot lands.

Hole 3 - Long par 4 with a dogleg left at the end. If your tee passes the 2 pine trees on the right the hole should open up, giving an excellent birdie opportunity.

Hole 4 - Nice wide open tee shot, which funnels to a tight green. Trees guard the basket making a route to basket difficult

Hole 5 - Wide open hole again, try not to throw too far left as the spruces will grab all discs. Behind the basket are a couple of overhanging trees which can make your putt aukward

Hole 6 - A very technical hole. The open tee pad allows a player to attack the hole but beware or the stream and the 4 pines guarding the basket. Odd position for the Gold tee as there is no direct route to the basket and could be difficult for inexperienced players

Hole 7 - Great chance of a birdie here. Don't be blinded by the option to attack the basket. The trees will each your disc. Lay up down the track which should leave an easy tap in

Hole 8 - A very long par 3. Straight and open, but still a deceptive challenge

Hole 9 - A very tight hole to end. Thread your disc through the trees. In summer I can see this hole having a low ceiling to cope with too. A very tricky hole.

I really enjoyed my round here. I will aim to return sooner rather than later.