East Lothian

A relatively modern links designed by the former R&A architect Donald Steel, minutes from traditional Scottish links courses such as Gullane, Muirfield and North Berwick, the course is Inspired by the great links courses of Britain, particularly those on land which are less dominated by dunes, Craigielaw is equal to many of the finest examples of such courses. With challenging greens, cavernous bunkers and spectacular views over the Firth of Forth, Gullane Hill and out towards Edinburgh and Fife, Craigielaw Golf Club is an experience not to be missed.

Although Scotland is lucky enough to have nearly half of the world`s 246 links golf courses, very few have a sea or ocean view from every hole, and Dunbar is one. An Open qualifier golf course on many occasions when the Open is played at Muirfield, this wonderful links is always in immaculate conditions in one of the driest locations in Scotland. The original holes were laid out by club members in 1880 and extended/improved by Old Tom Morris in 1894 then between 1922-24 5 times Open champion James Braid and North Berwick professional Ben Sayers further extended and improved the course creating the wonderful links, more or less, still played today.

Two classic links courses and unusually with some changes of elevation which creates great vistas – the motivation for PGA.com naming it the 5th most picturesque place to play golf in the world. Gullane has a great golfing history. Although Gullane Golf Club was established in 1882 golf has been played over Gullane links for more than 350 years. In fact, the history of golf in this part of East Lothian dates back to 1650 when the weavers of Dirleton played the weavers of Aberlady annually on Old Handsel Monday. The course has staged the Scottish Open on the European tour won most recently by Ricky Fowler.

A great little links with a rich history which began life as the Luffness Golf Club in 1867 on land that is now in the midst of a beautiful nature reserve close to the present course. After some 27 years, George Hope, as landowner, had ambitions to create a new golf course slightly closer to the village of Gullane, which did not meet with approval of those who hailed from Aberlady where the course is located! The outcome was a non acrimonious split in the Club where half stayed to play the new course, thus forming Luffness New Golf Club (1894), whilst the remaining members accepted an offer from a neighbouring landlord, the Earl of Wemyss and March, to build a golf course on the links land bordering Craigielaw Farm. It was appropriate to rename the Club, Kilspindie in 1899.

Another Open qualifier course in East Lothian Longniddry is a delight to play. Formed in 1921, Longniddry Golf Club straddles the coastline of Longniddry in East Lothian the cradle of golf, arguably the finest stretch of golfing coastline in Scotland, 18 miles east of Edinburgh. Longniddry Golf Club is the closest links course to Edinburgh, with spectacular sea views from many holes. Designed by Harry S Colt, whose work at world class courses like Pine Valley, Sunningdale and Royal Portrush puts this course in high regard.

As you will read if perusing the information about Kilspindie Luffness New was formed in 1894 when the Luffness club split. Although it is thought golf was played in the area since the 1500`s it took The Luffness New club until 1894 to engage a great architect with 4 times Open champion, Old Tom Morris creating this fantastic links.

The third home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers having started out life in Leith well before 1744 but formalized as a club in that year, Muirfield has hosted the Open 16 times, second only to the Old Course of those courses currently on the Open rota. A very subtle course with no two holes playing in the same direction an absolute classic course the work on 4 times Open champion Old Tom Morris whose design was refined by arguably the best architect in history Harry Colt. The club can lay claim to having written the first 13 rules of golf for their events in 1744 and the quality of the course is acknowledged by none other than Jack Nicklaus who played in the Walker Cup here in 1959 and won his first Open here in 1966 so called his own club in Dublin, Ohio “Muirfield Village”.

A totally unique place and second home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the Open was played at this course six times between 1874 and 1889 on the land inside the racehorse track! Documentary evidence exists of golf being played here as early as March 2nd 1672 and it is thought that Mary Queen of Scots played here in 1567. For those who wish to play all seven of Scotland`s Open venues you must beat a path to this ancient links which can be played with hired hickories if you wish to really appreciate how good the players of yesteryear really were!

The West Links as it is known enjoys fabulous views to the Firth of Forth and has the world famous “Reddan green” at the 15th which has influenced so many greens across the world of golf. Although golf has almost certainly been played in North Berwick for nearly 400 years the Club was not instituted until 1832 with 6 holes being played between the present clubhouse and “March dyke” which crosses the present 3rd and 16th holes. Over the ensuing years more land had been acquired until in the 1920`s Ben Sayers created largely the top 100 in the world golf course we know today.