Mortonhall

Mortonhall Golf Club is situated within just four miles of Scotland’s capital, and one of several great layouts within the boundaries of Edinburgh.

Originating in 1892, it is the oldest continuous golfing venue in the capital city, and remains a great test for all golfers today.

There are tree-lined fairways, plenty of bunkers, and plenty of undulation changes throughout a round at Mortonhall!

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With its history dating back to 1892, Mortonhall Golf Club can say that it is the oldest continuously used golf club in the city of Edinburgh.

The great James Braid – five times a winner of the Open Championship – designed the original layout at Mortonhall. The club has since gone on to host the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play and the Scottish Youth Tournaments in its history.

In the mid-1970s, the course was redesigned, with four new holes being added to the layout. The four original holes, that sit proudly at the top of the hill, are in use as practice facilities at the club.

Mortonhall is an immaculately presented mature parkland of 6,565 yards whose verdant surroundings make it hard to believe you are so close to a major city. Expect lush fairways lined by trees as well as whin-covered outcrops and super views across the capital, the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills. There is a large number of changes in elevation to deal with as well, with many a hole playing either uphill or downhill throughout a round. While it is pretty it is also a proper test of golf.

The opening hole shows you that it will be a test of your all-round game. Although it is only 360 yards from the tips, it requires an accurate tee shot with trees lining both sides of the fairway. The approach is uphill to a green that is some 40 yards in depth. Work out the flag position before selecting your club. The 2nd tees off with Elf Loch on your left, but don’t let that distract you. The Stroke Index 1 comes early, and it can wreck your card before you’ve even got going. Three fairway bunkers down the left side must be avoided if you are to make this green in regulation. You then come to the first of the short holes at Mortonhall. The 3rd is 170 yards and usually played into the prevailing wind. Three large sand traps protect the putting surface.

At 560 yards in length, the 4th will be a three-shotter for all bar the very longest of hitters. Just ensure you find the fairway with your second shot to give yourself the best chance of attacking the flag with your third. The 5th is a cracking dog-leg par 4 which turns from left to right. It is 370 yards, but plays longer than that due to the sharp turn in the fairway. The 6th is one of the shortest par 4s on the course at just 320 yards. Anything around 100 yards from the green with your tee shot is ideal to give yourself the flattest like for your approach to a putting surface that sits slightly below you. The 7th is a 190-yard par 3 that plays slightly downhill to a green that is elevated from the fairway in front of it. Anything only catching the front edge will roll back down the false front.

The 8th is an arrow straight par 5 of some 530 yards. Anything that flies too far left off the tee will find the out of bounds that lines this hole. The green is set into the corner of the property, with four bunkers guarding it. The closing hole on the front nine is another dog-leg right, but not one with as sharper turn as the 5th. Slopes on either side of the putting surface make accuracy on the approach shot vital. The 10th is a short par 3 of just 150 yards, but it is not without its danger. Three greenside bunkers make another accurate approach the key here. 11 is one of the tougher par 4s with a narrow fairway, and a large bunker on the right side of the green.

The 12th is a short par 5 of less than 500 yards, and one where the longer hitters can definitely home in two. Two fairway traps down the left side are the danger off the tee, with two more situated in front of the green. 13 and 14 are both tricky par 4s to deal with, the first of those being 430 yards from the tips. Find the left side of the fairway on the 14th and your ball may run and run down the slope, leaving you with a short approach. 15 is another reachable par 5 for some at 510 yards. It plays as a long dog-leg right, with thick trees running down the entirety of the left side. A solitary bunker sits to the right of the putting surface, for any mishit approaches.

The closing stretch at Mortonhall begins with a good birdie chance. At just 335 yards, driver might not be the play, especially with the fairway bunkers dotted down this hole. The penultimate hole plays back over the Elf Loch, to a green that is also guarded by two bunkers in front of the surface. Anything right off the tee on the final hole is in trouble, with plenty of thick rough and gorse down that side. There is more space down the left side, and that line will give you the best angle into the green. Three bunkers sit in front of the surface, but if you can carry those, then there is a chance of a birdie on the last at Mortonhall.

Where is Mortonhall Golf Club located?

Mortonhall is one of several golfing venues that sits within the city bounds of Edinburgh, with the centre of Scotland’s capital just four miles to the north of the club. It sits just of the A702, with the City of Edinburgh Bypass only a mile or so to the south of Mortonhall. Its next-door neighbour is Braid Hills, which sits to the north of Mortonhall, with the two being separated only by the Braid Hills Trail.

Slateford is the nearest train station to Mortonhall Golf Club, with trains running between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central on a regular basis. Edinburgh Waverley is only four miles from the golf club, with services running up to Aberdeen and Inverness, and south to Manchester and London among many other destinations. For international visitors to the region, the obvious choice is to fly into Edinburgh Airport – Scotland's busiest airport. It is just ten miles from Mortonhall, and operates a wide array of flights each day.

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

Two other venues in Edinburgh – Bruntsfield Links and The Musselburgh (Monktonhall) - are both within 10 miles of Braid Hills. Outside of that, the likes of Glenbervie to the west, and then Kilspindie, North Berwick, and the rest of East Lothian’s glorious golfing landscape are within 30 miles.

What golf facilities does Mortonhall Golf Club offer?  

For those looking to work on their game before taking to the course, Mortonhall has four hitting nets, along with a putting green by the clubhouse and a recently opened short game area as well.

What are the green fees at Mortonhall Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Mortonhall 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 Mortonhall, visit their booking website here.