The Musselburgh (Monktonhall)

The Musselburgh Golf Club is one of three golfing venues in the town, and the youngest of those having been founded in 1938.

Affectionately known as ‘Monktonhall’, thanks to the suburb it sits in, the course was designed by five-time Open Champion James Braid.

Today, it is a mature parkland that will test the game of all abilities. Pushing past the 6,700-yard mark from the tips, it is long and testing. 

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The history of The Musselburgh Golf Club dates back to 1938, shortly prior to the beginning of the Second World War.

James Braid – five-time winner of the Open Championship – was the man to design the golf course on what was originally agricultural land.

It has become a tree-lined beauty over the years, thanks to major planting work across the course in the 1950s.

The Musselburgh also has tournament-hosting pedigree: the Scottish Professional Championship has twice been held here, as have Regional Qualifying events for the Open on a regular basis.

The Musselburgh Golf Club is situated on the banks of the River Esk, with a number of holes running alongside the water. The course is blessed with undulating greens and glorious fairways, many of which are tree-lined to provide the perfect parkland setting. Off the tips, Monktonhall pushes past 6,700 yards thanks to its lengthening to host the Open Championship Qualifying events.

It is not the gentlest of starts at The Musselburgh, but the first hole is 375 yards, and with plenty of sand in your eyeline. Two fairway bunkers, and three more traps by the green, it is a trick prospect to get you on your way. At 451 yards from the back tees, the 2nd hole is an early test. It also features a green at an angle that rejects the approach just running out of steam, which is a little mean on a hole of this length. Add in the River Esk as part of the danger down its left side, as well!

The Stroke Index 18 comes at the 3rd. A par 3 of just 145 yards, all the trouble is at the front. There are four large bunkers, all of which are in play off the tee. The Esk stays in play down the left side of the 4th, the longest hole on the course. This par 5 is almost 530 yards from the tips, and also features no fewer than eight sand traps. They are dotted down the right side of the hole throughout, one that slowly winds its way to the left, around the river. It plays uphill as well, making it feel even longer than its yardage. The 5th is the Stroke Index 2, and a strong dog-leg right par 4. Longer hitters can take it over the corner, while shorter hitters will aim for the left side of the fairway to give themselves a view of the putting surface. Three more traps, along with a number of mounds, are in play by the green.

The 6th is the next par 3 at The Musselburgh, with a bunker left, a bunker right and a bunker short of the green. Avoid it all on this 155-yard challenge, and you’ve done well. At 480 yards, the 7th is a great birdie chance. This par 5 moves to the left after the tee shot, and avoiding the trio of bunkers on the right side is key to having a shot at reaching the green in two. Four more bunkers guard the putting surface, but the first of those gives you a good spot to lay up to.

After walking under the railway, you come to the loop of eight holes on the opposite side of the tracks. The railway line is the boundary down the right side on 8, a tough 400-yard par 4. The green sits raised above the fairway, with a strong false front. The burn on the 9th is hidden from the tee, so work out the right distance to hit your tee shot. The green is is two-tiered, and like 8, there is a false front once again. Three bunkers protect this tricky surface. 10 is another long par 4, one of more than 440 yards. The tee shot from the Whites is hit through a funnel of trees out to an opening, as the hole moves slightly round to the left. Four bunkers sit greenside, with a small drop between the front of the green and the fairway. There are six bunkers surrounding the green on the par 3 11th. 187 yards, and with OOB also down the right side, it is a tricky short hole to navigate.

The 12th is the final par 5 at The Musselburgh, and again, at just 488 yards, it is one that is reachable in two. Avoid the singular fairway bunker on the right side and you have the option of going for it if you can get there. Three bunkers are by the green, along with OOB that winds round from the right side to the back. Two fairway bunkers are in play on 13, one on either side, as the hole moves slightly round to the left. The green has three tiers, with the back portion being the largest of those. The 14th is a strong par 4 that dog-legs from right to left before rising slightly to a large, attractively sited green. Like many holes here, it isn't intimidatingly difficult but poses more than enough of a challenge to get your attention. The last hole on the southern side of the railway is the par 4 15th. The fairway slopes downhill away from you so you will get more run out if you find it. Six bunkers and a water hazard protect the putting surface.

The closing stretch at Monktonhall begins with the last of the par 3s after you have crossed back under the railway line. It is 170 yards in length, and has bunkers left, right and short. A good tee shot on 17 will find the downslope which will kick your drive on some. There are two cross bunkers deceptively short of the green, so make sure to carry them with your approach. There is a real sting in the tail in the shape of the last hole here: a par 4 that plays uphill all the way and is in excess of 470 yards. Do not stand on the tee needing a four for anything important. Get your work done by the time you leave the 17th green.

Where is The Musselburgh Golf Club located?

The Musselburgh Golf Club is situated to the east of Edinburgh, with the centre of Scotland’s capital city just seven miles away. It is in the suburb of Monktonhall, hence its affectionate name. The golf club sits right next to the A1, which provides a route from Edinburgh along the East Lothian coastline and then towards the south of Scotland.

On the opposite side of the Scottish capital sits the country’s biggest and busiest airport – Edinburgh Airport. It is just 15 miles to the west of The Musselburgh. By road, Musselburgh Station is only a mile from the entrance to the golf club. Trains run from Edinburgh to North Berwick and Dunbar via Musselburgh, with the train track dissecting the golf course.

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

There are plenty of incredible golfing venues, all of which are on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, within just a short drive from The Musselburgh. Bruntsfield Links is just ten miles away on the opposite side of Edinburgh, while to the east, there is everything that East Lothian has to offer. Kilspindie, Muirfield, North Berwick, Dunbar, Luffness, The Renaissance Club, Archerfield (Dirleton and Fidra) and Gullane, with its No.1, No.2 and No.3 Courses, are all within 25 miles.

What golf facilities does The Musselburgh Golf Club offer?

As well as the 18-hole layout, The Musselburgh Golf Club also has a 6-hole Short Course which is perfect for those first learning the nuances of the game. There is also a large practice area with practice hitting nets, a short game area and an undulating putting green.

What are the green fees at The Musselburgh Golf Club?

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