Scotland is one of the world’s top golfing destination and the capital Edinburgh has some top notch courses on its doorstep. Here are five of the best.
The Gleneagles (PGA Centenary Course) (Photo: Golfscape.com)
There are beautiful golf courses these days in every corner of the world these days, from sun-kissed Caribbean islands to epic mountain range backdrops. But while the courses around Edinburgh may not have quite the exotic scenery or year-round sun of others, this region is arguably one of the homes of golf and on most keen golfer’s bucket list. Edinburgh has access to many prominent courses and establishments – including Royal Burgess, the oldest golf society in the world, dating back to 1735 – and there is a wealth of history, quality and quantity that makes it hard to beat. Here are five of the most charming golf courses near Edinburgh.
The Gleneagles (PGA Centenary Course)
With the majestic rolling Ochil hills in the background, this modern classic of a course looks every inch like rugged, beautiful Scotland. Jack Nicklaus designed it – and had fun doing it by the sounds of it – saying the PGA Centenary course is the ‘finest parcel of land in the world I’ve been given to work with’. The course hosted both the Ryder Cup 2014 and Solheim Cup 2019 and is a challenge for amateurs and pros alike. You’ll need to stay focused on this masterpiece of a course that stretches nearly 7,000 yards from the white markers. €428.
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Bruntsfield Links
Bruntsfield Links (Photo: Golfscape.com)
This parkland course is steeped in history. Home to The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, the fourth oldest club in the world, the original lay-out was by Willie Park of Musselburgh in 1898. Over the years it has been tweaked and modified, with an extensive £1.2million redesign taking place in 2019 to bring it up to the expectations of the modern-day golfer. It is now a testing Par 71 of 6,466 yards, with excellent springy turf and thoughtful management of trees and rough throughout. If you want a slice of history, with a modern update, Bruntsfield Links is the place. €432.
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Torwoodlee Golf Club
This 100-year-old club is another with breathtaking scenery all around. Set among decades-old trees within a descending valley, flanked by the River Gala, it is a rolling parkland paradise. The course has a Gents Yardage of 6021yds and Par 69, with a number of challenging holes and fast true greens. There is a good mix of up and down holes as well as flat holes near the river in the valley floor, meaning golfers have to keep their wits about them. Golfers of all abilities love Torwoodlee not just for the course but the friendly environment too. €100.
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Longniddry Golf Club
Longniddry Golf Club (Photo: Golfscape.com)
Longniddry golf course has a stunning location, situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, a world-famous stretch of golfing coastline in Scotland, just outside Edinburgh. This is another old club, dating back over a century, and the course was designed by Harry S Colt. The course has a par of 68 and the course record of 62 was set by amateur Mike Thomson of Peebles. This course is perhaps surprisingly challenging thanks to strategically placed bunkers and a number of four par 4s in excess of 400 yards, and there is plenty of variation too. €260.
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Gullane Golf Club (Course No. 3)
Course No 3 at Gullane is arguably its most spectacular, overlooking the club’s other courses and views across Aberlady Bay to the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh in the back ground. Focus, patience and accuracy are rewarded on this tricky course, with sloping greens and difficult bunkers in abundance (there are 67 bunkers in total) . The course is really well looked after and in impeccable condition throughout the year. The relatively small greens are smooth running making for an enjoyable day out. The course was created by two time Open Champion Willie Park Jr, Gullane No. 3 celebrated its centenary in 2010. €180.
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