Musselburgh Links, The Old Course, is a nine hole, par 34 links golf course, located in the heart of Musselburgh, surrounded by Musselburgh Racecourse.
This historic golf course was an original Open Championship venue hosting the competition on six occasions between 1874 and 1889. Winners included Willie Park Jnr. and Willie Park Snr. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was based at Musselburgh Links between 1836 and 1891, using it as their home course and clubhouse before moving to Muirfield.
History continues with the four and a quarter inch hole diameter. The seemingly random size was just that, as it happened to be the width of the implement used to cut the holes at Musselburgh. In 1893 the R & A made the size mandatory.
Musselburgh Links is reputed to be the oldest playing golf course in the world, with documentary evidence dating back to 1672. There are also claims that Mary Queen of Scots played on Musselburgh Links in 1567. For a unique golfing experience, there is the opportunity to hire hickory golf clubs and play the game as it was in the Old Course’s heyday.
