Liberton

Liberton Golf Club is one of several glorious golf courses within the city boundaries of Edinburgh – Scotland's capital city.

Founded in 1920 and originally a 9-hole layout, it now stands as a cracking 18-hole parkland layout to the south of the city centre.

The Burdiehouse Burn comes into play throughout the holes on the eastern side of the course, while there are also plenty of bunkers and five cracking short holes to enjoy.

Visit Liberton’s website here.

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The Edinburgh venue celebrated its centenary year in 2020, having originally been founded in 1920. 

The club was established by local residents of the area, and Liberton was one of the first golf clubs in the United Kingdom to give male and female members equality.

Liberton is a rolling parkland course, with tight fairways and small, well-guarded greens. It stretches to 5,344 yards, a low figure by modern standards. This short length is tempered by two things: firstly, the absence of any par 5s where 'cheap' birdie putts are on offer for longer hitters; and secondly, five par 3s – only one of which is over 200 yards. So, there are plenty of exacting two-shotters – not least the first, named Little France, which is a serious challenge at 431 yards.

That opening hole is the longest on the property, and provides a tough opening to the round at Liberton. The tree-lined fairway makes it feel much tighter, while the green sits below you from the fairway, and is guarded by four bunkers. At 263 yards from the tips, the 2nd is drivable. However, the bunkers dotted in the four corners of the green, might deter the longer hitter from doing so. Find the fairway and it will still just be a wedge on to the green. The 3rd is another tough par 4, at 385 yards in length. Two fairway bunkers down the left side, along with trees on either side, add to the danger off the tee. Water first comes into play on the tricky 4th. The drive needs to be down the left side of the fairway to give yourself the best angle into the green. A burn runs down the right of the putting surface, and with everything running from left to right, the miss is very much on the left side.

The 5th is the Stroke Index 1, with another hole that slopes from left to right. The tee shot needs to hit the left side to allow it to run down to the right, which will then provide the best angle to attack the flag on a green that is guarded by four bunkers. The 6th is the first of the par 3s at Liberton. It is uphill, playing longer than its carded 170 yards. A bunker on either side adds to the danger. The 7th is a dog-leg left par 4, and at only 323 yards, it does not require driver off the tee if you are playing to the corner. A quartet of bunkers guard the green on the 180-yard par 3 8th, before the front nine comes to a close with a short par 4. The 9th is less than 300 yards, but accuracy is more the key off the tee. The approach is a blind shot over the hill, so take a walk to the crest to work out your line.

The back nine begins with another short par 4, this time a dog-leg to the left. The ideal tee shot will find the right side of the fairway, to allow you to attack a green protected by bunkers front left and front right. Six traps guard the putting surface on the 145-yard par 3 11th. It might be short, but the level of difficulty is high. OOB runs down the right side of the 12th, with this 305-yard par 4 making a slight turn around the corner. Keep your tee shot short of the bunker on the inside corner, and you will still only have a low iron or wedge in hand for your second. The 13th is another short par 3 of just 150 yards, and another that is well bunkered. Four traps guard this narrow putting surface.

The closing stretch at Liberton begins with the tough, 403-yard par 4 14th. It is 90 yards longer from the tips than it is off the yellow tees, and it feels it! OOB runs down the left side, while trees sit on the right side – a tricky driving hole. 15 is the signature hole at the Edinburgh venue. Longer hitters will be aided by the downslope around the 240-yard mark which will kick on anything that bounces in that region. Two bunkers sit short of the green. 16 is another short-ish par 4 that requires accuracy over length off the tee. The fairway gets narrower the further you hit your tee shot, whit the narrow putting surface is guarded by three small bunkers.

The 17th is the longest of the par 3s on the property, pushing past the 210-yard mark. For many, it will be at least a hybrid of fairway wood to try and find the penultimate green at Liberton, one that is relatively large compared to most on the course. The closing hole has a narrow fairway, and one that might be difficult to find, especially if you have a good score in your hands when you’re standing on the 18th tee. Six bunkers protect the front of the long and narrow green.

Where is Liberton Golf Club located?

Liberton Golf Club is one of several golfing venues within the city boundaries of Edinburgh on the eastern side of Scotland. It sits in the shadows of Craigmillar Castle, with the centre of Scotland’s capital city just three miles away by road from Liberton. The venue sits off the A772, which runs from the city centre south to Eskbank, at the City of Edinburgh Bypass.

Thanks to its proximity to the city, Edinburgh Airport – the busiest international airport north of the border – is the closest to Liberton Golf Club. Edinburgh Airport is just 12 miles to the west of the venue. Shawfair is the closest train station to Liberton, with services running between Tweedbank and Edinburgh, where connections to much of the country are available.

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

There are plenty of great golfing venues around Edinburgh. Bruntsfield Links and The Musselburgh (Monktonhall) are the nearest to Liberton, with the latter just five miles away. The likes of Kilspindie, Luffness, Muirfield and the rest of the East Lothian region are also in close order.

What golf facilities does Liberton Golf Club offer?

Liberton Golf Club has a short game area that includes a chipping green, practice bunker and a separate putting green. There are also hitting nets for players to warm up in before taking to the course.

What are the green fees at Liberton Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Liberton Golf Club 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 Liberton, visit their booking site here.