The 5 Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh You Can Play

The 5 Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh: Explore The Origin of Golf Amongst The World’s Oldest Courses

Discover Edinburgh’s rich golfing heritage with a visit to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious golf courses. 

From the exclusive Muirfield to the historic North Berwick Golf Club, these courses offer challenging layouts, stunning scenery, and a deep connection to the origins of the sport. 

Whether you’re seeking breathtaking views, strategic course designs, or a piece of golf history, Edinburgh’s top golf courses provide an unparalleled experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

1. Muirfield

Hosting 15 Open Championships, Muirfield is a very exclusive, privately owned course located in East Lothian, Scotland. 

The design itself is a masterpiece having the outer 9 hotels run clockwise while the inner 9 hotels run counter-clockwise inside the outer. Muirfield is a relatively flat course, with thick, long rough the most challenging feature, making it a good test for a golfer’s accuracy.

Opened: 1891
Par: 76
Length: 7245 yards
Designers Include: H. S. Colt (1925), Old Tom Morris (1891), Tom Simpson (1935), Donald Steel, Tom MacKenzie, Martin Ebert, Martin Hawtree (2011)
Difficulty: Slope 155 / Rating 77.4

2. The North Berwick Golf Club

The North Berwick Golf Club is the 13th oldest golf club in the world and has served as a qualifying venue for the Open Championship. 

As a true links course, North Berwick offers breathtaking views of the Firth of Forth and nearby islands over several holes.

Opened: 1832
Par: 71 
Length: 6506 yards
Designers Include: Ben Sayers (1932)
Difficulty: Slope 131 / Rating 72.9

3. Gullane Golf Club (No. 1)

The Gullane Golf Club is one of Scotland’s most prestigious golf courses, displaying over 350 years of golfing tradition. The course is found on multiple World Top 100 rankings and its par-five 3rd hole is recognized as one of the best in the world. 

With strategic layouts having no two holes alike, the Gullane is a classic links course that should be added to any bucket list. On top of this, the course offers stunning 360-degree views throughout the holes.

Opened: 1884
Par: 71
Length: 6873 yards
Designers Include: Willie Park (1884), Tom MacKenzie (2015), Martin Ebert (2015)
Difficulty: Slope 113 / Rating 70.0

4. Duddingston Golf Club

The Duddingston Golf Club is known for its beautiful scenery, challenging layout, and rich history. It is situated beneath the iconic Arthur’s Seat volcano and is a parkland course captured by rolling terrain and trees lining the fairways. 

The course was originally designed by the renowned Willie Park Jr. and was later modified by John Shade and Bill Biggar.

Opened: 1895
Par: 72
Length: 6466 yards
Designers Include: Willie Park, Jr.
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating 70.0

5. Braid Hills Golf Course

Braid Hills Golf Course is not a test of length, instead, it consists of hilly terrain and native gorse bushes that golfers must navigate and adapt to. The course is known for its elevated yet inviting tee shot located on the 14th.

Opened: 1893
Par: 71
Length: 5858 yards
Designers Include: Andrew Mair
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating 70.0

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