A COURSE FOR EVERYONE ON SCOTLAND’S GOLF COAST

There is no doubt, we are lucky to have 21 courses in such a small area. The accommodation providers dotted around the region are brilliantly knowledgeable about golf and they are proud to talk about what’s on offer. There is no question that to play golf in East Lothian, whether you are looking for bucket-list, hidden gems, championship, shorter, longer or historical, Scotland’s Golf Coast covers all abilities and all budgets.

Our own 21 bucket-list courses

If you ask a golf fan to name three courses in East Lothian, the chances are they will say Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane. Without doubt, these three are amazing golf courses and feature regularly in Top 100 rankings and golf fans’ bucket lists. The layout of Muirfield, the Pit at North Berwick and Gullane Hill have been dreamt about regularly over the past 13/14 months. But, there is so much more on offer in East Lothian.

Gullane itself has three of the 21. Gullane No2 was designed by two-time Open champion, Willie Park Jr, in 1898 and offers a true and historical links experience. Running alongside No1 for the first seven holes, the turf is the same and with 107 bunkers, the challenge too.

Gullane No3 is often overlooked by the visitor, but the members and locals enjoy the fun of the course. Again, pure links, bump and runs, pot bunkers, the wind, the views and a shorter round. If you are new to links, want to add a second 18, or a warm-up on arrival, No3 offers an unforgettable experience and if combined with No2 or No1 (a day ticket is available), you’ll be talking about a day at Gullane for a long time to come.

A final Open Qualifying links

The most easterly course along the coast is Dunbar. Dunbar is only 25 minutes from Craigielaw and Ducks in Aberlady and even closer to the North Berwick and Haddington accommodation providers, such as Garleton Lodge. This classic, final Open qualifying links with its North Sea coastal views is worth every penny.

Five minutes from Dunbar is Winterfield. With tremendous views on every hole and an excellent links challenge, Winterfield will make your stay in East Lothian even more affordable. This green fee won’t hurt your pocket, but Winterfield will enrich your golf stories. Hotels such as the nearby Dunmuir, combined with Dunbar and Winterfield, are ideal too.

Views of the Bass Rock and Firth of Forth

Nestling to the east side of North Berwick is The Glen Golf Club. The Bass Rock dominates almost every hole and its location overlooking the Firth of Forth makes for a varied round, no matter the weather. From May to August, you can play until 21:00 on Scotland’s Golf Coast, so the midweek twilight rate is magnificent. The East Links is the perfect ‘day of travel’ course, followed by a few beers in town. Sounds like a great start to the trip! If you fancy staying in North Berwick, Scotland’s Golf Coast has a variety on offer.

Nine holes take you back to a bygone era

If you are a fan of golf history, then Musselburgh Old hosted the Open six times. The 9 holes take you back to a bygone era. Treat yourself to a set of hickories and play the course how they did over 100 years ago. Although a short course, the 9 holes of Musselburgh Old are a unique golf experience.

A little further out from the capital, the nearest coastal course to Edinburgh with 18 holes is Longniddry. The course is Harry S Colt designed and mixes inland and links holes. 36 holes midweek is a day well spent.

James Braid parkland classic

Another Royal on Scotland’s Golf Coast is Royal Musselburgh. The 6^th oldest golf club in the world and for a weekday twilight round in particular,  the chance to play a James Braid parkland classic should be tantalising.

It would be wrong to forget the inland courses and the short courses in the area. Not all golfers are travelling to Scotland’s Golf Coast for once in a lifetime holidays. East Lothian has plenty on offer aside from the golf, so some of our golfers will play one or two 18 holes, walk, sightsee, visit, eat, drink, then maybe play a few holes at the end of the day.

Gifford is a lovely 9-hole course, a stone’s throw from the coast. Renowned for its pristine fairways, friendly welcome and the Speedy Burn. For an inexpensive nine holes, it’s a beautiful place to get a different perspective of Scotland’s Golf Coast.

A 6-hole links course

At Craigielaw, there is the 6-hole par 3 course which can be added to your green fee on Craigielaw’s Donald Steel designed championship course. The short course is just a 2-minute walk away from the pro shop. The ‘South Links’ is perfect for a warm-up, a practice, to fine tune, or to compete. It’s in the same immaculate condition as its bigger brother.

For true links golf addicts, Luffness New, designed by Old Tom Morris is as pure as they come. Make a day of it. Play 18 holes in the morning to find your feet and find the lines, followed by a traditional Luffness clubhouse lunch, and 18 again in the afternoon. You’ll sleep well that night!

Guaranteed views

A lot of history links Luffness and our next course, Kilspindie. Follow our social media to find out more. A popular links course (albeit tucked away overlooking the Forth), with a different feel to Luffness, Kilspndie is another of Scotland’s Golf Coast’s courses which can be added to a short-break or longer stay package. The condition, challenge and views are once again guaranteed.

Waxing lyrical

We could endlessly wax lyrical about the quality of golf in the region.

Click on the link to review all the courses in more depth. The accommodation provider details can be found here too. Their welcome, hospitality and variety sit beautifully alongside the 21 courses. From self-catering to private houses, bed and breakfasts to golf resorts, they can cater for your every need. Even if it’s some putting before breakfast or bar stool golf, it’s on the coast!

Enjoy yourselves surfing and piecing together your break. Then, get in touch with one of our members to chat about the plan.

The Greatest Concentration of Championship Links Courses in the World

The greatest concentration of Championship courses anywhere in the world is a bold statement. If you look at the evidence, you can see why. Muirfield has of course hosted the Open many times, Musselburgh Old too. The Scottish Open is this year once again at the Renaissance, the Womens’ Scottish open was there last year too. Meanwhile, Craigielaw has hosted the most recent Scottish Senior Open and Longniddry was used for Scottish Open qualifying.

The two newest clubs on the coast are The Renaissance and Archerfield. The Renaissance has received rave reviews for its staging of the Scottish Open, whilst Archerfield’s two courses are immaculate, pristine and a fantastic championship addition to the coast.

Something for everyone

You might associate ‘championship’ with expense and there is currently much debate about the price of a green fee in Scotland. Golf is ‘booming’. We are not using this as an opinion blog to support, criticise, defend or otherwise. We want to highlight the strength of the 21 courses on Scotland’s Golf Coast and stress how the courses cater for all abilities and all budgets. There is something for everyone!

The region boasts an array of golf courses and accommodation that regularly attracts the pay, stay and play golfers from all corners of Scotland and the World. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Click on the link below to review all the championship courses in more depth. The accommodation provider details can be found here too.

Scotland’s Golf Coast Courses and Accommodation