East Lothian

East Lothian is clearly one of Scotland’s golf tourist heartlands.

With an awe inspiring 21 courses, it makes Aberlady and its surrounding area a haven for golfers who come from all over the world.
East Lothian contains a variety of long established links and parkland courses, accompanied now by more recent coastal, hillside and farmland developments.
It also happens to be the home of the oldest golf course in the world- Musselburgh Links as well as the world famous Muirfield golf course which has hosted the Open Golf Championship on a number of occasions.

Transport

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Ducks Golfing Packages

GOLFING PACKAGES Ducks can create a customised golfing package for you.
Kilspinide House is also ideal base for holding a seminar in the morning, having a light lunch and finishing of the day with a round of golf in one of East Lothian’s nineteen golf courses.
See golfing packages to enquire about Ducks Golfing packages.

GOLFING EVENTS 2008

A guide to whats on in East Lothian 2008

Professionals Events

Ladies British Open Amateur Championship North Berwick, 11th-15th June 2008 LGU

World Hickory Open Championship Pro Am
Craigielaw, 25th September 2008 World Hickory

World Hickory Open Championship Craigielaw, 26th September 2008 World Hickory

The Amateur Championship Muirfield, 14th - 19th June 2010 R&A

Golf East Lothian

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Kilspindie House Hotel, Main Street, Aberlady EH32 0RE Tel: +44 (0) 1875 870682 Fax: +44 (0) 1875 870504 kilspindie@ducks.co.uk terms & conditions

Golf Courses in the Edinburgh area are in an abundance, and are of a quality which, like other areas of Scotland, sets us aside from many other tourist destinations. If you hire a car the variety and choice of golf is never ending. We are no more than a 45 minute drive from St Andrews or Carnoustie, and Muirfield is only 30 minutes away, but these are the better known courses. However, such are the numbers of high quality golf courses available, that only a few ever make it to 'Open Championship' status. Many other courses are equally good and every bit as difficult. If you are planning to play any of the Scottish or for that matter European courses you should have your Registered Golf Club Handicap Card in your possession. I myself am a golfer who has been brought up on the links of East Lothian, and a member of Gullane Golf Club, the village where Muirfield Golf Club, the home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, is the best known course. However, my club has three separate eighteen hole courses, each, in its own way, offering a different challenge. During my lifetime so far, I have played just about every course in the area, and many outwith it. Most of the clubs I have visited hire clubs if required - check when booking! It is my intention over the coming months to produce a full and descriptive list of courses in our area. I would like to start by naming the courses which are on our doorstep in Edinburgh, and giving a brief report on each one including Green fees, Yardage and type of course. My preferences I will indicate with a Y. Golf courses within the city limits: Prestonfield Golf Club - 0131 667 9665 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6214 Yards. SSS 70. This a rolling parkland course which is built under Arthur's Seat. You can walk there from our house. Y Liberton Golf Club - 0131 664 1056 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5306 Yards. SSS 66.
This also is an undulating course which is open enough to be very forgiving. Still quite close, but a little more than a walk. Car or taxi. Mortonhall Golf Club - 0131 447 6974 - £30.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6245 Yards. SSS 72.
This is a moorland course with some beautiful scenic views. Car or taxi. Craigmillar Park Golf Club - 0131 667 0047 Duddingston Golf Club - 0131 661 1005 Y Braid Hills Golf Course (this is a municipal course) - 0131 447 6666 Kingsknowe Golf Club - 0131 441 1145 Lochend Golf Course (this is a municipal course) - 0131 554 7960 Lothianburn Golf Club - 0131 445 2206 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5662 Yards. SSS 68.
This is one of a clutch of hill courses, and affords some wonderful views of Edinburgh and the East Lothian coast. Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club - 0131 447 1219 £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 4889 Yards. SSS 64.
This course has been built in a ravine within a residential area and, although it is short, the mixture of hill and parkland holes make it a severe test of golf. Murrayfield Golf Club 0131 337 3478 Royal Burgess Golf Club - 0131 339 2075 - £40.00 to £60.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6494 Yards. SSS 71.
This is certainly one of the finest courses in the city. It was designed by Tom Morris and although it is really quite beautifully kept, it can truly ask the questions of the golfer. This is parkland golf at its best, and they also serve an excellent carvery lunch. YY Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society - 0131 336 1479 - £30.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6407 Yards. SSS 71.
This is one of my favourite Edinburgh courses, as it is truly a good quality parkland course, presenting quite a challenge to all standards of golfer. It also has some wonderful views acros the Firth of Forth to the Fife coast. Also do a good lunch. YY Ravelston Golf Club - 0131 315 2486 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5220 Yards. SSS 65
This is a nine hole course with alternate second nine tee placements. It was designed by James Braid, and affords superb views over Edinburgh to the East. Silverknowes Golf Club (this is a municipal course) - 0131 336 3843 Swanston Golf Club - 0131 445 2239
This is a moorland course with some beautiful scenic views. Car or taxi. It helps you if you have one leg shorter than the other. Torphinhill Golf Club - 0131 441 4061 email info@torphinhillgc.sagehost.co.uk £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 4992 Yards. SSS 66.
A hill course on the foothills of the Pentlands, on the south of the city. Once again, where you have height, you get the views and the tough hike. Turnhouse Golf Club - 0131 339 1014
Hold onto your hat for the odd jet coming in overhead. After the first hole, which is straight up the hill, the course settles to a classical parkland.
Courses from 3 to 10 miles out of town: Ratho Park Golf Club - 0131 333 2566/1752 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5900 Yards. SSS 68.
Just on the outskirts of town, this parkland course is a pleasant outing. It was designed by James Braid and Harry Vardon. Y Glencorse Golf Club - 01968 676481 - £10 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5217 Yards. SSS 66.
A parkland course, where you have to beware of the stream. Broomieknowe Golf Club - 0131 663 9317- £10.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6150 Yards. SSS 70.
Although built on high ground, it is not a hilly golf course. It has good views over the Firth of Forth and Moorfoot Hills. Y Kings Acre Golf Course - 0131 663 3456 - £10.00 and £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5935 Yards. SSS 70.
This is the only private Pay and Play course in the area, and was completed and opened within the last few years. It is one of the finest new courses in Scotland, and I'm sure it will develop further under the family run operation. YY Monktonhall Golf Club - 0131 665 2005 - £10.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6614 Yards. SSS 73.
This is a tough test. A parkland course with fairways lined with trees and a liberal number of bunkers leading to well presented large greens. Y Newbattle Golf Club - 0131 663 1819 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6025 Yards. SSS 70.
A workman-like secluded parkland course. Royal Musselburgh Golf Club - 01875 810276 email royalmusselburgh@btinternet.com - £20.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6237 Yards. SSS 70.
Another of my favourites. This is a good test of your golf, and is built on a beautiful parkland, having been laid out by James Braid and opened in 1926. Y Longniddry Golf Club - 01875 852141- £30.00 to £40.00
http://www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk/
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6186 Yards. SSS 70.
Located on the Firth of Forth east of Edinburgh, the course was designed by Harry Holt, and modified by James Braid, Mackenzie Ross and Donald Steel. It is a challenging mixture of links and parkland, and a nice day out. Y Dalmahoy Country Club East - 0131 333 1845 - £30.00 to £60.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6677 Yards. SSS 72.
This course was designed in 1923 by the British Champion, James Braid, and has many endearing features, not the least being the trees. In recent years it has been used for various championships. Dalmahoy Country Club West - 0131 333 1845 - £30.00 to £60.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5185 Yards. SSS 66.
A much easier day out with the Gogar Burn featuring prominently. Melville Golf Course - 0131 663 8038 - £10.00
http://www.melvillegolf.co.uk
This is a straight pay and play. 2264 Yards. SSS 62.
The course is 9 holed and is more suitable to the lighter touch than the power player.
Over the Forth Bridge (3 to 10 miles): Kirkcaldy Golf Club - 01592 205240 - £10.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6038 Yards. SSS 69.
A challenging parkland with views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. Aberdour Golf Club - 01383 860080 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5131 Yards. SSS 67.
A parkland course overlooking the River Forth, each hole having its own character. Again, views across the Forth to Edinburgh and the south. Courses from 11 to 20 miles out of town: St Andrews Link Trust (the home of golf) - 01334 466666
http://www.standrews.org.uk/
Go to the site and it will tell you all you need to know. All I can tell you is that it will take you approximately one and a half hours to get there comfortably. Y
To the South Lauder Golf Club - 01578 722526 email laudergc@aol.com - £10.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5910 Yards. SSS 69.
This 9 holed course was designed by Willy Park on undulating parkland, providing wonder views of the Lauderdale. Rutherford Castle Golf Club, West Linton - 01968 661233 - £10.00 to £30.00
http://www.ruth-castlegc.co.uk
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and boo. 6525 Yards. SSS 71.
Built on the edge of the Pentland Hills, this is a another good test of golf, with its rolling fairways, which are reasonably forgiving to the high handicapper. Peebles Golf Club - 01721 720099 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6160 Yards. SSS 70.
This is a well though out and maintained parkland course. If you like views rather than the challenge this could be for you.
To the East: Castle Park Golf Club, Haddington - 01620 810733 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5810 Yards. SSS 68.
This is another 9 holed peaceful parkland course. The Glen Golf Club [East Links], North Berwick - 01620 895288 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6043 Yards. SSS 69.
We are now in my home territory, as I was brought up five miles along the coast. This is what links golf is all about. On a nice day, if the course is quiet, you can walk into the ocean and have a swim. After the hill at the first hole it is plain sailing, unless the wind is blowing. Y The North Berwick Golf Club [West Links] - 01620 895040 - email nbgc_sec@compuserve.com - £30.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6420 Yards. SSS 71.
Again on my home territory, as I went to school in North Berwick. All of our school golf matches were played over "The West", as it is known. It is reputed to be one of the oldest continually used links courses in the world, and is used along with Gullane as an Open Championship Qualifying course. It has many features, including a burn which comes into play in four holes, and wind that is known to change direction when the tide turns. You are once again playing along the water's edge on the outward nine. Y Gullane Golf Club (No 1) - 01620 842255 - £40.00 to £60.00
http://www.gullanegolf.com
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6466 Yards. SSS 72.
My home club course, which is a superb example of links golf, with spectacular views right up to the Forth bridge on a clear day. However, once again the wind is the telling feature of a course like this, where the greens are as fast pool tables and you might expect the odd lion or tiger to stroll out of the rough. It is one of the true tests of golf and is also used as an Open Championship qualifier. Being the members' course, it is kept in excellent order. YYY Gullane Golf Club (No 2) - as above - £20.00 to £30.00
A with a few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6244 Yards. SSS 70.
This is as good a course as No 1, and is treated with the same respect by members. All three courses run alongside one another, and the only difference that I have noticed is that the rough only has cats, dogs and rabbits, and is a little more forgiving. There is an excellent restaurant at the Visitors Centre, which is across the road from the main club house. YY Gullane Golf Club (No 3) - as above - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5252 Yards. SSS 66.
We were all as kids members of Gullane Junior Club, and played just about every day on No 3 after school, and twice at weekends. At competition time we were elevated to play No 2, but once upon a time I knew every blade of grass on No 3. The only differences between the three courses are the distances and the fact that Nos 2 and 3 are played more often, yet are still in great condition. Y Muirfield Golf Club, Gullane - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers - 01620 842123 - email hceg@btinternet.com - £60.00 upwards.
All manner of restrictions, especially at weekends, best to write in advance with a letter of introduction from your home Golf Club. 6601 Yards. SSS 73.
This is the Jewel in Central Scotland's Golfing Crown, but then the membership is made up of people who do not want the distraction of other lesser mortals disturbing their private club. I have played it many times, and each time I come off, I say, "Never again!" It has to be one of the toughest tests of golf you will ever come across. It has a bunker for every day of the year; unlike the rough at Gullane No 1, which hides lions and tigers, this stuff conceals elephants - it's up to your waist in the short stuff. It has hosted the Open Championship many times, along with the Rider Cup and various other International Challenges. Y Luffness New Golf Club (Nr Gullane) - 01620 843336 - £30.00 to £40.00 A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6122 Yards. SSS 70.
We are still in my home territory, as this course is only a mile along the road and in places shares the same links land as the three Gullane courses. It is also used as an Open Championship qualifier, and for the life of me I don't know where the "New" comes from, as it was designed in 1894 by Tom Morris. If you like to pitch and run the ball up to the green, Luffness is a great course for this, and has superb greens. YY Kilspindie Golf Club, Aberlady - 01875 870358 - £20.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5840 Yards. SSS 66.
Again, a traditional links course, three miles along the coast towards Edinburgh. As young golfers, if our game fell apart, we would play a couple of rounds at Kilspindie and take the "For Sale" sign off the golf bag. It is forgiving. Y Haddington Golf Club - 01620 823627 - £10.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6317 Yards. SSS 70.
It is described as being undulating parkland, it's quite a walk and is built along the River Tyne. Gifford Golf Club - 01620 810267 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6256 Yards. SSS 70.
This is another 9 holed course built on a gently undulating parkland, maintained to the highest standard, with first class greens. Y Whitekirk Golf Course (Nr North Berwick) - 01620 870300 £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6526 Yards. SSS 71.
A new course in 1994. This is a gorse-covered, fairly typical coastal course, which is a very severe test of golf. I have played it on several occasions, and it has won every time. Winterfield Golf Club, Dunbar - 01368 862280 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5155 Yards. SSS 64.
This is another well-established East Lothian links golf course, which was built in 1934 and offers good value for money along with views of the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth, and Belhaven Bay. Dunbar Golf Club - 01368 862317 - £20.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6404 Yards. SSS 71.
Many of the villages have more than one course, and Dunbar is no exception. This course is also one of the Open Championship Qualifying courses and therefore it goes without saying it is no easy day out. None the less, well worth a visit. Y
To the West: Bathgate Golf Club - 01506 630505 - email bathgate.golfclub@lineone.net - £10.00 to £40.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6228 Yards. SSS 70.
A parkland course that is fairly flat and quite forgiving. Deer Park Golf and Country Club, Livingston - 01506 431037 - £20.00 to £40.00 http://www.activitypoint.co.uk
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6688 Yards. SSS 72.
This is a new course which is popular in the area, although I must say it is not to my liking. It is flat and, although designed by Dave Thomas, the well known Welsh professional, it does not quite make it. Greenburn Golf Club, Fauldhouse - 01501 770292 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6046 Yards. SSS 71.
This is a Scottish moorland course that is locally described as undulating. Harburn Golf Club, West Calder - 01506 871131 - £10.00 to £30.00.
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5921 Yards. SSS 69.
This is a good solid parkland golf course without too many of the frills. Linlithgow Golf Club - 01506 842585 - £10.00 to £20.00.
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5729 Yards. SSS 68.
It is classed as another of these undulating parkland courses which has a great view down on to the 14th Century ruin of Linlithgow Palace. Y Niddry Castle Golf Club, Winchburgh - 01506 891097 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5518 Yards. SSS 67.
This is another of the double tee nine hole courses, but in this case it is a bit like target golf, and there it no shortage of water either. Uphall Golf Club - 01506 856404 - £10.00 to £20.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 5588 Yards. SSS 67.
This is the kind of parkland course that appeals to me - it is flat and an easy walk. Built over a hundred years ago, it still offers a challenge to golfers of all abilities. Y The West Lothian Golf Club, Linlithgow - 01506826030 email westlothiangc@freenet.co.uk - £10.00 to £30.00
A few weekend restrictions, best to phone and book. 6228 Yards. SSS 71.
This is a hard golf course, built on an undulating hilltop which has absolutely superb views. YY I have excluded so many of the out of the way courses, and those over 20 miles away, but the net can be even wider, going into the Borders, to the Duke of Roxburghe's excellent course at Kelso, or north to Carnoustie (Championship) Course or the magnificent Rosemount Golf Club at Blairgowrie. Now we haven't even mentioned the west, and for all the courses we have in the east, they have as many in the west and, using the Motorway, most of them are no more than an hour away. Let me help you! Email me your preferred list of clubs and starting times, and let me take the pain out of the phone calls.