Luffness

Luffness Golf Club - now in its second iteration - is located in golfing paradise on the east coast of Scotland, and within 45 minutes of Edinburgh.

 

The original Luffness Golf Club was founded in 1867, but after a dispute some 25 years later, Luffness New would soon come to fruition.
 

The club was founded in 1894, and the 18-hole layout was designed by the great Old Tom Morris. It is a traditional links golf course which offers a true test of golf despite not being the longest of layouts.


Visit Luffness' website here.
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The original Luffness Golf Club was founded in 1867, slightly to the north and west of the current course. However, a dispute arose in 1893 about playing golf at that location.

A year later, Luffness New Golf Club was founded, with Old Tom Morris being the man behind the design, which has basically stood the test of time. 

 

The original Luffness is no more, with the club having moved locations. They moved west to Aberlady, and became the Kilspindie Golf Club.
 

Although it is not one of the bigger names in the region, with major championships and DP World Tour events having been hosted at nearby venues, Luffness can still provide a proper test of your golfing ability. As you would expect, it is a true links layout, and this par 70 comes in at just shy of 6,6000 yards from the tips. Expect pot bunkers, thick rough and firm fairways, all aspects of the course you'll have to deal with to score well!

 

The opening four holes work their way around the practice area in a loop - meaning you simply cannot go left off the tee otherwise you will go OOB. It beings with one of the more gentle par 4s on the card at just 330 yards. Find the fairway and then make sure your approach covers the five bunkers that guard the front edge of the putting surface. It isn't left that is a problem on 2, as you can't go right off the tee either, thanks to the property boundary. This 447-yard par 4 requires a solid drive to give yourself a chance of getting home with your second (in regulation!)

 

The first short hole at Luffness comes at the 3rd. It is 190 yards from the tips and has a trio of bunkers guarding the left side of the surface. The 4th is the longest hole on the property at 572 yards, and can often play into the prevailing wind, making it feel more like 600. A par is a very good score on 4, a hole that moves slightly from right to left. The 5th is the last hole on the eastern side of the A198, and at 360 yards, it is a scoring opportunity.

 

After crossing the road, the 6th is the second par 3, and at just 152 yards, it could be seen as another birdie opportunity. Depending on the wind direction, 7 could be a reachable par 4 for the longer hitters at 320 yards, but those going for it must be careful, as there are five bunkers awaiting anything that is slightly mishit. The front nine closes with two tough par 4s, both measuring more than 400. There is no danger off the tee at 8, but sand once again comes into force by the green, while the 9th is the Stroke Index 1 at Luffness.

It doesn't any easier as you round the turn, with the 10th being the longest of the par 3s at 210 yards. Four greenside bunkers and OOB if you go too far right are just some of the dangers. The 11th is another lengthy par 4, one of 440 yards. Although arrow straight, a couple of bunkers are dotted in just the right (or wrong) places. 12 is the hole named 'Luffness', and features a total of eight bunkers to avoid, while the 13th is another of 400+ yards, crossing over a small road with your second shot.

 

The closing stretch begins with the longest hole on the back nine, the par 5 14th. Pushing past 550 yards from the tips and moving from left-to-right around the property boundary, it is another par 5 where making par might gain on the field. The 15th has been extended by more than 100 yards in recent times, and is now 420 yards from the back tees. A dog-leg left, the ideal line is over the two bunkers on the inside corner of the hole.

 

16 is the last par 3 on the property, and according to the Stroke Index, the easiest hole at Luffness. However, if you find one of the six greenside bunkers, you might come away thinking differently. The last two holes take you back to the clubhouse, with 17 being the final scoring chance. It is 360 yards, and although there are three bunkers in play on the fairway, there is a generous landing zone to avoid them. The 18th is a brute at 450 yards, the longest par 4 on the course. A slight dog-leg left, the ideal line - like on 15 - is over the bunker on the inside corner. If you can do that, you'll have a good view of the final green. Just don't go long, as the A198 comes into play behind.

 

Where is Luffness Golf Club located?
Luffness Golf Club is situated in the village of Gullane in East Lothian. The course is slightly inland from the North Sea coastline, and sits just 20 miles from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, with North Berwick five miles in the opposite direction. The A198, the road from Longniddry around the eastern coastline to Dunbar, dissects the course, with the entrance to the club coming off it.

North Berwick and Drem are the two nearest train stations to Luffness. Both stations sit on the East Coast Rail Line, which sees trains run from Edinburgh through to London. For international travellers to the eastern side of Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is approximately 45 minutes from the golf club. It is the biggest and busiest airport north of the Scottish border.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Luffness is one of several stunning venues in East Lothian. The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Kilspindie, Muirfield, and Archerfield - the latter being home to the Fidra Course and Dirleton Course, are all in close range, while the course sits right next to Gullane, home of the No.1, No.2 and No.3 Courses.

What golf facilities does Luffness offer?  
Luffness has its own practice area, which sits between the first four holes (which make their way around this part of the course in a loop). There is space to hit balls, along with a short game area. The putting green sits to the side of the clubhouse.
 

What are the green fees at Luffness?
The price of a green fee at Luffness 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 Luffness, visit their website here. 

Visit Luffness' website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.