The Scottish mainland has 9910 km of coastline, with the 48 (or30 miles ) of “Scotland’s Golf Coast” being the main attraction for us golf lovers.
On this coastal strip, which is not far away from Edinburgh, 21 excellent golf courses are lined up next to each other. Nowhere else in the world is there such a concentration of championship courses as in this part of the traditional county of East Lothian.
Muirfield (16) and the Musselburgh Links (6) have combined hosted 22 Open Championships.
Muirfield, the home course of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, is hosting the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five majors in women’s golf, for the first time this year in early August.
The Oldest Golf Club in the World
But that’s not the only reason why “Scotland’s Golf Coast” plays a very special role in golf history. Recently, the Old Course at Musselburgh Links celebrated its 350th anniversary. On March 2, 1672, the well-known Edinburgh lawyer, Sir John Foulis, and two friends played a round on the Old Course, a fact that was officially documented. That’s why the 9-hole course in the middle of Musselburgh Racecourse proudly calls itself “The Oldest Golf Club in the World.”
The legacy of these links can still be found on every golf course in the world today. In 1893, the rule keepers of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews established four and a half inches, or 10.8 cm, as the measurement for golf holes – the exact diameter of the drainage pipes used to poke the golf holes on the Old Course of the Mussselburgh Links
The Open at St Andews Old Course this year
From July 14 to 17, the 150th British Open will be celebrated in St. Andrews – and the five Open champions whose home course was the Old Course of the Musselburgh Links will certainly be remembered. A week before this major, the elite of the American PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, the former European Tour, will meet in the immediate vicinity of Muirfield on the modern links course of the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open, one of the five tournaments of the Rolex Series.
From the Renaissance Club, it’s a two- or three-minute drive to the two 18-hole courses at Acherfield Links. The Fidra Course hosted the Ladies Scottish Open in 2011 and 2012. Just five kilometers from Archerfield, the three excellent links courses of Gullane Golf Club, each with 18 holes plus a large clubhouse, await guests. The Scottish Open of the European Tour was played on Course No. 1 in 2014.
But not only these championship courses, which have become world-famous by hosting major championships, can be found in “Scotland’s Golf Coast”: Above all, another course in the region is on the “bucket list” of many links enthusiasts: the West Links of North Berwick, a course that presents a very special challenge due to a wall running across the course. But that’s not all: Craigielaw, Dunbar, Kilspindie, Longniddry, Luffness New, The Glen and Winterfield are other courses that offer a great golfing experience as well as great value for money.
Accommodation to Suit All Budgets
In terms of accommodation, there are options to suit all budgets, for golf groups of different sizes or even for a family vacation: from the Duck’s Inn in Aberlady to the Marine Hotel & Spa situated right on the West Links in North Berwick via Craigielaw Lodge right on the Craigielaw Links onwards to Garleton Lodge in Haddington, which offers stunning views of the Firth of Forth and surrounding countryside in a beautiful setting – plus with world-class links golf on the doorstep. Many packages including accommodation and green fees are available, so golfers can concentrate fully on their game.
Malcolm Duck, owner of Duck’s Inn in Aberlady, says: “2022 promises to be an exciting and successful year in East Lothian. We know that the variety of golf courses, the choice of accommodation and the wonderful food and drink on offer put Scotland’s Golf Coast at the top of golf travelers’ wish lists. This year, the two international championship tournaments, the Genesis Scottish Open and AIG Women’s Open, will put the region in the spotlight even more, so it’s important to book early.”
Finally one more, important thing: The East Lothian region is considered the sunniest region in Scotland with the lowest rainfall.
Learn more: Scotlands Golf Coast
