Golf has been played in East Lothian for nearly five centuries. The original rules of golf were written in East Lothian, and The Open Championship has been contested along its shores some 22 times. The combination of rich history and a number of bucket-list courses makes East Lothian one of the most popular destinations for Scotland golf trips. Muirfield, North Berwick, and Gullane Golf Club are the headliners here, but those willing to venture off the well worn path will find an abundance of great courses that are worthy of a place on the itinerary.
Here are seven such courses to consider during your golf trip to East Lothian.
Kilspindie Golf Club
Kilspindie owes its foundation to a little club politics. Nearly three decades after its formation, the Luffness Golf Club had outgrown its first course and sought to relocate to a new links nearby. An acrimonious split saw half of the membership leave to form the Luffness New Golf Club, while the remaining members renamed the club Kilspindie and moved to its present location. Like the nearby West Links at North Berwick Golf Club, the layout at Kilspindie defies convention in this modern era. The course measures to just 5500 yards, opens with a par-3, and features no less than eight par-4s of under 350 yards. And yet, despite what the numbers may say, Kilspindie has enchanted both members and visitors alike for over 125 years.
Credit: Kilspindie Golf Club
Dunbar Golf Club
Evidence shows that the Dunbar Golf Club dates to the heart of George Washington’s time as President, when 27 golfers established rules of play and formed the Dunbar Golfing Society in 1794. Dunbar is one of many golf courses designed by Old Tom Morris in the East Lothian region. The original course was just 15 holes and was later completely redesigned and extended by four-time Open Champion. From the 4th hole onward, the views are at times spectacular and the winds are at times daunting. At just over 6500 yards, those ever-changing winds are Dunbar’s primary defense, turning club selection into a rather delicate task. The stretch from the 11th through 13th is where the test will likely reach its crescendo, as the teeth of that prevailing wind, paired with a few wickedly slopped putting surfaces, makes par a rare commodity.
Credit: Dunbar Golf Club
Musselburgh Links
For the golf traveler who is looking to connect with the heritage of the game, Musselburgh Links is a must-visit while in East Lothian. The game has been played here since at least 1567, when Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have played it. The course is set almost entirely inside the local racetrack and is the former home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Musselburgh Links hosted The Open Championship on six occasions and was also home to golf’s first halfway house; Mrs. Forman’s which, sadly, is no more. For the full Musselburgh experience, your day here is best enjoyed by playing one round with your own clubs and another with a set of hickories which can be rented from the clubhouse.
The members of Coldstream Country Club and Summit Hills Country Club enjoy their visit at Musselburgh Links.
Craigielaw
Craigielaw opened in 2001 along the shores of Aberlady Bay. The course is what some might call a “hybrid-links.” Craigielaw is separated from the shoreline by the Kilspindie Golf Club next door, yet the winds off the bay still range from a constant annoyance to a downright gale. In addition to the wind, a collection of cavernous bunkers and challenging green complexes will test every aspect of your game. That difficulty is offset, however, by the outstanding views throughout the round. Although it is not flush against the shore, Craigielaw is built on higher ground, affording numerous inspiring panoramas across the bay to Gullane Hill.
Credit: Craigielaw Golf Club
The Renaissance Club
When The Renaissance Club debuted in 2008, the skeptics asserted that a modern course at a private club could never survive amongst the historic golf courses of East Lothian. Yet the first commission in Scotland for acclaimed designer Tom Doak quickly proved that, despite the odds, such a course can hold its own even with the likes of Muirfield and North Berwick as neighbors. Thanks to a land exchange with The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the addition of three new seaside holes has firmly cemented The Renaissance Club’s place in this golf rich region. So much so that The Renaissance Club has hosted three consecutive Scottish Opens and its days of being considered off the beaten path may well be numbered.
Credit: The Renaissance Club
Luffness New
As is quite common in this part of the world, the Luffness New Golf Club is anything but “new.” The original Luffness club was founded in 1867 and played over a course located on public land known as Gullane Common. The club was eventually forced off the public land and soon employed Old Tom Morris to design a course along the perimeter of Gullane Hill. While the marquee names along Scotland’s Golf Coast clamor to remain in good graces with the traveling golfer, Luffness New takes a more subtle approach. The course itself is also an understated affair. The ground moves subtly here, but is not without the occasional quirks common with links golf. Prudent, strategic play is the order of the day at Luffness New.
Credit: Luffness New Golf Club
Archerfield Links
The new kid on the block along Scotland’s Golf Coast, the Fidra Course at Archerfield Links debuted in 2004. Two years later, the Dirleton course joined the party. Both courses offer an enjoyable test of golf and have hosted their share of notable professional events. For many golf travelers, The Lodges at Archerfield Links are the main attraction, and serve as a comfortable home base for exploring the historic courses nearby. After checking-in, those looking to beat the jet-lag on the course certainly won’t have to travel far.
Credit: Archerfield Links
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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