Musselburgh Links

Musselburgh Links is one of the original links courses in Scotland, dating back to the early 19th Century, though golf has been played on these parts for a further two centuries.

The venue originally started as a 7-hole course, before extending to nine in 1870, in preparation to host the Open Championship. It did so six times over the next two decades.

The course is located in and around Musselburgh Racecourse, with the horse racing track coming into play on a number of holes.

Visit the Musselburgh Links website here.

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The earliest evidence of golf being playing on Musselburgh Links is in 1672. Yet it has been reputed that Mary, Queen of Scots played on Musselburgh even earlier - in 1567.

The Links was originally seven holes, with another added in 1838 and the final one in 1870. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers had their home here before moving further down the coastline to Muirfield; and the metal plate on the ‘brassie’ wooden club was invented here in order to play off the main traffic route through the town, onto which golfers used to slice their shots.

The venue was also the original home of the four-and-a-quarter inch diameter hole that became standard during the 19th century. In 1893 the R&A made that size mandatory.

And finally, no history section about Musselburgh Links could be without talking of the Open Championship. The venue played host to the tournament six times between 1874 and 1889, with Mungo Park, Willie Fernie and Willie Park Jr all being victorious over the links.

Musselburgh Links is one of several great golf courses based in and around racecourses in the United Kingdom. Think Lingfield Park, The Northumberland and Great Yarmouth & Caister for instance... Not much has changed at the venue since the ninth hole was added in 1870, with the majority of the layout still sitting inside the racecourse. A trio of par 3s and a singular par 5 make a 9-hole round at Musselburgh Links play as a par 34 – and there is plenty of danger all around.

The opening hole, a 240-yard par 3 with the tee shot being played from outside to inside the racecourse, was the penultimate hole to be constructed at Musselburgh Links. The raised green adds to the difficulty on the opener. A pair of hidden bunkers are the danger on the 2nd, which is only 350 yards from the tips. The 3rd is another 350-yard par 4, and one that is defended by gorse on the left and the racetrack on the right. Four bunkers, including two next to the putting surface, make it a more difficult hole than it might first seem.

The 4th has a semi-blind tee shot, as you cross back over the racecourse and to the outward side of the property at the east. There is an awkward approach to a green on this 430-yard par 4 that still sits next to the famous Mrs Forman’s pub, which used to have a hatch in the wall through which refreshments were passed to golfers. The 5th might be 183 yards, but it is the shortest hole on the course. The sleepered bunkers in front of the putting surface have been copied all round the world.

The 6th, 'The Table', might be Musselburgh's best, incorporating a terrific view of Arthur's Seat and incorporating the formidable 'Pandy' (a euphemism for pandemonium bunker). The green is two-tiered, so make sure you find the right portion of the surface to avoid leaving yourself a tricky two-putt. The only par 5 on the course comes at the 7th. It is possibly the best chance for a birdie at Musselburgh Links, providing you can avoid the abundance of fairway bunkers off the tee. There is space around the green for those having a go with their second shots as well. Take aim and let loose!

The 8th hole was the last to be added to the golf course in 1870, in preparation for the Open Championship. Today, it pushes towards 240 yards and plays as a very tough par 3. Add in that it is slightly uphill and usually into the prevailing wind and a par here is a very good score. The closing hole on the layout is a 360-yard par 4 that features now fewer than nine bunkers. It is a dog-leg left that starts alongside the racecourse, before then turning away from it towards the green. If you can knock a good drive down the middle, it provides one final birdie opportunity.

Where is Musselburgh Links located?

Musselburgh Links is situated to the east of Edinburgh, with the majority of the course located inside Musselburgh Racecourse. The centre of Scotland’s capital city is only seven miles to the west of the venue, which sits just off the A199. The A1 is just a few miles to the south of Musselburgh Links, while the golf course is within touching distance of both the River Esk and the Firth of Forth.

For international visitors to the region, Edinburgh Airport is the nearest to Musselburgh Links. It sits around 20 miles from the golf club, on the opposite side of the city. Edinburgh is also the busiest airport in the country, with a wide array of destinations. Musselburgh Station is close by the racecourse and golf club, with trains running on a regular basis between North Berwick and the Scottish capital.

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

The Musselburgh (Monktonhall) is within a couple of miles of Musselburgh Links, while Bruntsfield Links – on the other side of Edinburgh – is 12 miles to the west. To the east, the likes of North Berwick, Kilspindie, Muirfield and the Renaissance Club, along with Archerfield’s Dirleton and Fidra Course, and the No.1, No.2 and No.3 courses at Gullane, are all within a 20-mile drive along the coast.

What golf facilities does Musselburgh Links offer?

Due to the lack of space at the venue, mainly thanks to the club being founded in the early 1800s, there is not a driving range at Musselburgh Links. There is a putting green so you can get a feel for the surfaces ahead of your round, though.

What are the green fees at Musselburgh Links?

The price of a green fee at Musselburgh 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 Musselburgh Links, visit their website here.