Bruntsfield Links

1761. That is the year that the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society was founded. That makes it the fourth oldest golf club in the world.

Through its history, the club has had three locations, settling on its current spot – just four miles northwest of Edinburgh – in 1898.

Willie Park Jr designed the original layout after the move, with Alister MacKenzie, James Braid, Fred Hawtree and MacKenzie & Ebert all playing a hand over its long history.

Visit the Bruntsfield Links website here.

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The origin of the Society dates back to 1761 when the members played over five holes at Bruntsfield Links, where golf had been played since the 15th century. Its founding date of 1761 makes Bruntsfield the fourth oldest golf club in the world.

The society then played their golf at Musselburgh but finally settled on a site close to Barnton and the new course was laid out by Willie Park Jnr in 1898.

Over the years, the likes of Alister MacKenzie, James Braid and Fred Hawtree have all played a hand in the redesign and improvement of the course. Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert then oversaw a comprehensive overhaul that was completed in 2018 and took the course up to 6,500 yards. 

Bruntsfield has hosted the British Seniors Amateur, Scottish Strokeplay Championship and Regional Qualifying for The Open throughout its history.

Since its move to Barnton in the late 19th Century, Bruntsfield Links has been a course that has played through tree-lined fairways, with the occasional water hazard to watch out for. That continues to this day, along with more than 70 bunkers that seem to sit in all the right places. There is plenty of variety throughout the layout, with a quartet of par 5s, and five par 3s, culminating in a par 71 scorecard. It is 6,466 yards from the tips, so it is not the longest course, but there is plenty of danger to be avoided.

At 427 yards, with OOB down the left and an undulating fairway, the opening tee shot is difficult, to say the least. Throw in two fairway bunkers as well, just to add to the danger. If you can avoid all that, you might come away with a par to show for it, if you don’t find the two bunkers or the collection of trees on the left side of the green. OOB continues down the left side on 2, while there are five bunkers dotted down the hole, including the three by the green. The 3rd features an uphill tee shot to find the short grass. It plays slightly longer than its carded 370 yards from the tips, and with three fairway bunkers, it is a tough tee shot.

The first of the par 5s comes at the 4th, and it is a tough one at 540 yards. Water sits to the left, but it should not be in play off the tee. With a long enough drive, you might hit the downslope to get a few extra yards, and to put yourself in reach of the green with your second. For most, staying atop the plateau is the best bet, before laying up short of the sharp uphill slope that sits in front of the green. The longest of the par 3s comes next – the 205-yard 5th. Water is on the left of the green, along with a bunker, while there is a drop off from the green down to the rough on the right.

There is some respite through the next few holes. The 6th, although carded as the Stroke Index 5, is only 360 yards. If you find the fairway, staying short of the bunkers, then you have a good chance at birdie. The 7th is a par 3 of just 155 yards, but the green is one of the trickiest on the course. An elevated tee shot lets you see the entirety of the 8th. There are two fairway bunkers in play for the longer hitters, so a long iron may be required for those. Three more bunkers sit by the green, but again, this is a good scoring chance.

That all comes before the Stroke Index 1 at Bruntsfield – the par 5 9th. It is only 510 yards, but it plays much more. It is a strong dog-leg left and a solid drive will get you to the bottom of the hill. However, don’t be fooled into thinking you can reach in two, as you might not even be able to see the putting surface. Oh, and there is water all down the left side as well! Lay up short of the bunker on the right to give yourself a short pitch on to the long green. From Stroke Index 1 to Stroke Index 18 - the 10th is the easiest hole on the course. It is a par 3 of just 144 yards, but watch out as the green falls off at the back and on both sides.

Trees and OOB sit down the left side of the 11th, along with two bunkers on the right. It is an elevated tee box, and if you can find the slope, you will get even more yardage on your drive. The green is inviting, despite the bunker on the left. You then come to back-to-back par 5s at 12 and 13. The former is the longest hole on the course at almost 550 yards. There is OOB to the right, by the tee box, but that should not come into play. The water down the left, though, that is in play – along with the two fairway bunkers. Five more bunkers sit in front of the green, so work out your distances if you are laying up. At 510 yards, the 13th offers up more of a birdie opportunity. Again, there are good spots to lay up with your second if you do not fancy taking on the green, one that slopes off to the left.

The 14th is the first of two par 3s in the last five holes at Bruntsfield Links. The aiming point on 14 is the middle of the green, as it is a deep green, which can mean it plays anywhere between 165 and 195 yards. It plays over water, with four bunkers protecting the surface. 15 is a dog-leg right par 4, with OOB down the left that is in play off the tee. Longer hitters will be able to fire their tee shot over the bunkers to give themselves an easier pitch up the green. The 16th is the signature hole at Bruntsfield, and the last of the par 3s. It is 170 yards, and with a water hazard that sits front left of the putting surface. A bunker front right adds to the danger, with long rather than short being the ideal miss.

The layout comes to a close with two very different par 4s. The penultimate hole is the longest par 4 on the property at 450 yards. A solid drive is required, especially with two fairway bunkers and trees on either side that start to pinch the fairway in around the 275-yard mark. The green is slightly raised compared to the level of the fairway, with two bunkers in front and drop-offs behind the putting surface. The closing hole is a 343-yard par 4, one that has a similar fairway to the opening hole, cambered from left-to right. The green is guarded by two bunkers, and is one of the more undulating surfaces on the course. Find the right section and there is a solid chance at making birdie to finish your round.

Where is Bruntsfield Links located?

The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is situated to the northwest of Edinburgh, within the bounds of the city. It is just four miles from the centre of Scotland’s capital city, while the venue is just a short walk from both Cramond Beach and Silverknowes Beach and the coastline of the country.

Thanks to its location, Edinburgh Airport – the biggest and busiest airport in Scotland – is only a few miles to the southwest of Bruntsfield Links, making it easy for international visitors. Four miles to the south sits Edinburgh Gateway, which is the closest train station to Bruntsfield Links. Trains run towards the centre of Edinburgh in the east, and through to Perth, Cowdenbeath, Dundee and more to the west and north.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

Bruntsfield Links is one of several golf courses that are within a short drive of Edinburgh. Across the city, The Musselburgh (Monktonhall) is just ten miles away. Glenbervie is 25 miles to the west, while to the east, into East Lothian, the likes of Kilspindie, North Berwick, Muirfield, and Gullane – with its No.1, No.2 and No.3 Courses – are all within 30 miles.

What golf facilities does Bruntsfield Links offer?

Along with the cracking golf course, Bruntsfield Links also has its own driving range, which sits on the eastern side of boundary. There is also a practice area in the centre of the course, along with a putting green by the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Bruntsfield Links?

The price of a green fee at Bruntsfield Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Bruntsfield Links, visit their website here.