Gullane Golf Club in Scotland was founded in 1882, and it shares the land with two other clubs – the East Lothian Golf Club formed in 1859 and the older Dirleton Castle Golf Club founded in 1854. But Edinburgh & East Lothian Golf dates back to at least the 1650s, when the weavers of Aberlady competed against the weavers of Dirleton across the linksland.
In the early days of Gullane Golf Course, golf competed with the other passion of the time, racehorse training, which was held across the playing fields – presenting a very dangerous obstacle for everyone involved. In 1892, Lord Law prohibited racehorse training on Gullane Hill, and the club subsequently flourished.
Gullane golf consists of three courses – No.1, No.2 and No.3. Gullane No. 1 plays up and over Gullane Hill and is the highest rated of the three courses. First established in 1884, it is not attributed to any golf architect, but rather the greatest golf designer of all time – Mother Nature. It has been the host venue to the Scottish Open and Open Qualifying. Edoardo Molinari said, “I believe it to be the best links golf course that is not on the Open Championship rota.”
Gullane No.2 is credited to Willie Park, Jr. in 1898, also plays over Gullane Hill and is rated just behind the No.1 course. It has hosted the Senior Amateur and Open Qualifying.
The shorter of the group, Gullane No.3, on flatter land is no pushover and values accurate shot making over brute power.
Not to miss when visiting Gullane Golf Club is the Heritage of Golf Museum, open by appointment. Founded by the late Archie Baird, who was married to Willie Park, Sr.’s great-granddaughter, it features artifacts and exhibits from the earliest days of “Kolf” in 15th century Holland to the present day.
The views from the summit of Gullane Hill have been called the most scenic in the world of golf, along with Pebble Beach, as the panoramic 360-degree view looks down on the neighboring fairways of Muirfield and across the Firth of Forth to Fife.
When playing golf at Gullane both members and visitors may enjoy the Clubhouse, newly renovated in 2021. Playing golf or not the Old Clubhouse used from 1889-1927, across the street from the Club’s is a very popular local pub and restaurant and a welcome addition to any visit.
Perched on Scotland’s eastern coast and just a short journey away from Edinburgh, Gullane Golf Club is considered to be a picturesque example of links golf thanks to the golden beaches, dunes, and breathtaking coastal views – a naturally perfect golfers’ paradise. Gullane Golf Club was established in 1882 and has a proud history, awesome heritage, and a window into the very soul of the game.
Gullane offers three standout links courses, but the famed “No.1” is considered to be one of Scotland’s crown jewel courses. The club’s appeal has not been lost over the centuries, and Gullane remains a popular golfing hot spot even today.
Widely regarded as one of the best courses available on the eastern Scottish coast. No. 1 takes full advantage of the natural terrain to deliver an unforgettable challenge. The course achieves this by pushing players up hills and then sending them towards the sea while treating them to incredible views of the Firth of Forth.
Some standout holes include the par-4 3rd, which contains a tricky, angular green, and the par-5 16th, which uses the wind and cleverly placed bunkering as a demanding test of precision.
Created in 1898 by Willie Park Jr., No.2 is shorter than No.1 but still considered to be a good test of any golfer’s skill. The course layout stretches across the southern slopes of Gullane Hill, a location where elevation doesn’t change as steeply, but this means that wind is a constant companion and can dramatically alter how the course is played from hole to hole.
No.2 features a variety of challenging par-3s and 4s that reward accuracy over raw power, but the 11th hole is considered to be a particularly memorable par-3, which is played towards a coastal view and features a green protected by lots of bunkering.
Of the three Gullane courses available, No. 3 is considered to be the most accessible and forgiving of the bunch. The course was established in 1910 and is ideal for shorter and more relaxed rounds of golf – but this doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park.
No. 3 boasts a layout of undulating greens and tight fairways that require precision to master, but not so much that amateurs and beginners will find the experience to be a gruelling challenge. Players are rewarded with excellent views of Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills.
Overall, No. 3 is great for beginners to sink their teeth into and for veterans who want a shorter run or to experience a more subtle challenge.
For a stylish and welcoming base during your Edinburgh stay, No11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie is a top choice. Housed in a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse, it combines the charm of period architecture with modern comfort — think luxurious rooms, plush bedding, and thoughtful Scottish touches.
Its location, just a short walk from the city centre, plus the friendly, attentive service makes No11 ideal for both leisurely weekends and special culinary getaways.
Combine the sights of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, with the great courses of the East Lothian peninsula.
8 nights 4* accommodation and 7 rounds of golf
Prices starting from $9,085 per golfer
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Gullane Golf Club has three golf courses in Gullane, designated numbers to show how old they are. Gullane No. 1 was constructed in 1884 and is the oldest of the three. It has hosted national and international events, including the Scottish Open and Open Championship Qualifying.
Gullane No. 2 was established in 1898 and designed by Willie Park Jr. and has also been used for Open Championship Qualifying and the Seniors Open Amateur. Gullane No. 3 was also designed by Willie Park Jr. and was opened in 1910. It is the shortest and most charming of the three, but still a fine test for any golfer.
Yes, Gullane does provide stay-and-play packages that include rounds at Gullane and surrounding courses in the region. We recommend staying in East Lothian or Edinburgh when playing at Gullane Golf Club and include Premier Golf’s customizable stay-and-play packages.
Gullane rents out golf clubs and equipment at the pro shop, where you can find anything you require to play.
Premier Golf packages to Gullane Golf Club include tee times and accommodations to ensure a smooth stay-and-play experience.
