Archerfield (Dirleton)
Archerfield (Dirleton) | NCG Top 100s : Scotland Golf Courses
Rankings
10th
58th
189th
The Dirleton Links is one of two courses that Archerfield has to offer, and it is a proper links test on the east coast of Scotland.
The course is at the southern side of the venue, and plays around 7,000 yards from the back tees, with David Russell being the man behind the design of the course.
The venue also is home to the Fidra Links, which is more of a woodland course, also earns a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list.
Read our full piece on the Archerfield Resort here.
Visit Archerfield's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
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A Brief History of Archerfield (Dirleton)
Archerfield was founded in 1869, as a private member's golf club. The layout was extended to 18 holes around two decades later by Ben Sayers.
However, the estate was used by the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War, and the land would not see golf again for six decades.
DP World Tour winner David Russell was brought in to design the new layouts, and he came up with both the Fidra and the Dirleton. The Dirleton Links came a couple of years after the Fidra, opening in 2006.
Archerfield (Dirleton) Review | NCG Top 100s: Scotland
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Unlike the Fidra - which is much more US Open than Open Championship – the Dirleton Links at Archerfield is a true links layout. There are sweeping fairways, deep menacing bunkers and undulating sand dunes bordering each fairway. Further, the numerous sand traps are mostly of the old-fashioned pot bunker type, complete with revetted faces and wooden stairs – always an ominous sign. The greens are again immaculate and those who enjoy putting on slick, pure surfaces will relish the experience. The Dirleton pushes 7,000 yards from the tips, and plays as a strong par 72 course.
A relatively gentle opening hole with a wide fairway kicks off the course, before you get to the first par 5 on the layout. The 2nd is an awkward hole, with ten bunkers and a burn to deal with. If you find the fairway, there is the chance of making it to the green with your second shot. The 3rd is the first par 3, and plays around 200 yards to the centre of the green. Two greenside bunkers guard the putting surface, which is long and narrow.
The 4th provides a nice birdie opportunity. It is 330 yards from the tips but plays as a dog-leg right. For some, it will be drivable, but for most, a drive to the corner of the fairway will allow the second shot to be played with just a wedge. 5 is the longest hole on the course and plays as a slight dog-leg right when you get down to the green. The 6th is played as a straightaway par 4 but three fairway bunkers down the right and out of bounds down the left make it a tricky prospect. The 7th is the next par 3, before two very different par 4s bring you to the end of the front nine.
The 8th is 380 yards and played to a relatively wide fairway, while the 9th is more than 450 yards and plays as a slight dog-leg left. Drives that fly right might find the 10th, but it will make it an even longer hole from out there. The opening hole of the back nine is a par 5, and it is a quirky one. The fairway pinches in halfway down with two bunkers on the right side, while a small burn runs across the hole, in front of the green. 11 and 12 are tricky par 4s, both which also have a burn running across them, with the 13th then being the shortest hole on the Dirleton. It is just 170 yards, and has five greenside bunkers.
The closing stretch begins with a tricky par 5. The 14th is a dog-leg right and if you can drive past the corner, you have a chance of making it in two. The 15th and 16th, strokes three and one respectively, are part of a stern finish – the latter boasting a succession of bunkers up the side of the dog-leg right which make for an imposing, impressive sight. The penultimate hole is the last par 3, and it is played to a shallow green, so club selection is crucial. The 433-yard 18th is the final kick that the Dirleton has to offer. Playing along the water for its first half, if you can find the fairway then there is one last chance of adding a circle to your card.
Our Panellists Notes for 2026
Chris Healey: Refined golf experience with immaculate conditioning - firm and fast.
David Elliott: A really inviting parkland. The gorse hints at links but the turf gives it away. Really enjoyable to play, as well as being a stern test. Conditioning as good as it gets.
David Walker: Modern links course and wonderful experience from the moment you drive in to the estate however course is somewhat lacking both in charm and in wow factor. One of the more challenging driving courses with plenty of gorse to find errant shots.
Hugh Masson: Immaculate conditioning on a famed stretch of land. This gorse intensive course demands accuracy and control.
Jim Marshall: A modern take on traditional links that blends challenge and charm.
Read more about our panellists here.
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FAQs about Archerfield
Where is Archerfield located?
Archerfield is situated just 20 miles from Edinburgh on the eastern coastline of Scotland. It sits on the coast of the North Sea, and on a clear day, golfers will be able to see north across the water to the Golf House Club, Elie. The Renaissance Club sits next door to Archerfield, with the likes of Muirfield, North Berwick, Luffness, Craigielaw and the three courses of Gullane all within just a few miles of glorious coastline.
Archerfield is situated just 20 miles from Edinburgh on the eastern coastline of Scotland. It sits on the coast of the North Sea, and on a clear day, golfers will be able to see north across the water to the Golf House Club, Elie. The Renaissance Club sits next door to Archerfield, with the likes of Muirfield, North Berwick, Luffness, Craigielaw and the three courses of Gullane all within just a few miles of glorious coastline.
With Edinburgh being the nearest city, Edinburgh Airport provides the perfect spot for international visitors to the region. It is the biggest and busiest airport in Scotland, with more than 15 million passengers travelling through annually, and sits 30 miles to the west. North Berwick is the nearest train station, just five miles to the east, with trains running to and from Edinburgh every hour.
Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Along with the Fidra Course, Archerfield is also home to the Dirleton Course, another member of the list. The Renaissance Club, Muirfield, North Berwick, Kilspindie, Luffness and Gullane - with its No.1, No.2 and No.3 - are all within ten miles of the resort.
What golf facilities does Archerfield offer?
Archerfield has a dual-ended driving range as part of its sublime practice facilities. At one end of the range, there are also covered bays with TopTracer technology as well. There are two short game areas by the clubhouse with chipping greens and bunkers, along with a trio of putting greens on the property.
What are the green fees at Archerfield?
It is not easy to get a tee time at Archerfield with it being a private members club. The club has a ‘Tee Time Experience’, and you can find out more about that here.
Read our full piece on the Archerfield Resort here.
Visit Archerfield's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
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