Scotland’s hilly capital is one of the most famous places that visitors flock to throughout the year. And unsurprisingly, this bustling metropolis has plenty to discover and explore – especially its wide range of golf courses. The best golf courses in Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians offer dynamic greens to test your mettle against, as well as stunning views over Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat, and many other attractions.
We’ve outlined the very best golf courses you can enjoy teeing off at in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Don’t deny yourself the perfect golf break without travelling far from Edinburgh Airport.
North Berwick Golf Club
North Berwick Golf Club sits just east of Edinburgh along the beautiful Lothian coast, with stunning views over the Firth of Forth. If you decide to venture out from the city centre to North Berwick, you’ll be rewarded with a championship links course.
With the waves lapping at the sands along the East Lothian coastline, guests can experience a stellar 18-hole course that combines strategically placed bunkers with the natural windy coastline for an excellent challenge. You can play along North Berwick’s fantastic course for £240 during the peak season and £140 in the off-season.
Duddingston Golf Club
Duddingston Golf Club is one of the best golf courses you can enjoy in the Lothians, with a modern parkland style ideal for a golfer of any skill. In addition to a lovely course, Duddingston also offers a fantastic clubhouse with a bar and restaurant and a full indoor golf simulator.
Duddingston’s beautiful course was designed initially by Willie Park Jr. and later updated by the famed James Braid. The golf club sits at the very foot of Arthur’s Seat and Deer Park, one of the most beautiful and historic natural landmarks that sits only 10 minutes out of the city centre.
If you’re looking for one of the best golf courses in Edinburgh with beautiful scenery, it costs only £90 to play during the peak season.
Gullane Golf Club
Gullane Golf Club is a championship course that has played host for the ASI Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open. There’s not one, not two, but three different courses that you can have the privilege to play when visiting Gullane – which sits only a few miles east of Edinburgh.
You’re spoilt for choice, from Gullane’s championship course, voted the Most Picturesque Golf Spots in the World, to the excellent views that look for Aberlady Bay and the Firth of Forth. Green fees vary depending on your course (Course 1 – £210, Course 2 – £85, Course 3 – £55). Once you’ve played a round or two, you can relax at the country club and indulge in plentiful amenities.
Craigielaw Golf Course
East of Edinburgh has several fantastic golf courses for your next golf break. Craiglielaw is one of them and should be at the top of your list because of the great golf course architect James Braid, with a fantastic links-style course to hone your skills on.
Craigielaw golf course is different from many other links courses in East Lothian, with less prominence of the sand dunes than many of the other great courses in the region. This trade-off has fast greens that are stellar to play on, making it well worth the visit.
This golf course is also quite affordable – £50 for a single round during the peak season.
Dunbar Golf Club
Continuing our trend of the best courses in East Lothian is Dunbar Golf Club, a challenging links course that even experienced golfers will need help cracking. Tee off on 18 magnificent greens with the bright and blue Firth of Forth crashing against the rocky shore.
Dunbar also has a welcoming clubhouse to spend time in after you’ve played a round on their championship course, which offers a bar where guests are encouraged to socialise as they recall an eventful day. Green fees at Dunbar are around £115 during the summer season, which decreases during the shoulder and off seasons.
Of the many golf courses in Edinburgh, Dunbar’s premium and immaculate course is worth playing year-round.
Muirfield Golf Club
One of the most prestigious golf courses you can play on in East Lothian is undoubtedly the Muirfield Golf Club, home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Muirfield has been the home of the Company since 1891 and is one of the many hidden gems golfers can find just outside of Edinburgh.
Muirfield’s 18 holes had numerous revisions as the golf club expanded, but Old Tom Morris completed its original design. Although its proximity to the sea makes calm winds a rare phenomenon, the course is fair to newer players while still providing a challenge to more experienced golfers. This has been home to the Open Championships for 130 years.
Those keen to play golf at Muirfield should expect to pay around £340 per round.
Murrayfield Golf Club
Murrayfield is situated right in the city centre, providing a natural respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. That being said, you can still clearly see many of the city’s attractions, like Edinburgh Castle and the bass rock it sits upon – just without the noise of Edinburgh.
In addition to being an easily accessible golf course in Edinburgh, Murrayfield also boasts 18 immaculate holes that fully uses the dynamic Costorphine Hill that wraps around. This means a round filled with blind shots and engaging par 3s and 4s.
Peak season golfers can expect to pay around £100 per person for a round at Murrayfield.
Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society
Bruntsfield Links is a must-play location when planning a golf break in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It holds the title of being one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, the fourth oldest, to be precise. Bruntsfield Links was founded in 1761 and was also designed by Willie Park Jr.
But Bruntsfield Links notoriety isn’t just in the past, and today this golf course still stands as an excellent place to tee off. It even served as the qualifying open for the Open Championship! The golf course is full of character, with mature oak trees and craftily placed bunkers to test golfers’ skills.
For such an old course, Bruntsfield Links is an affordable option compared to many other courses in the area and costs £120 to play during the peak season.
Kingsknowe Golf Club
Kingsknowe Golf Club is a recent addition to the golf courses you can find in Edinburgh and was founded in 1908. Its central location offers an easy place to enjoy a round of golf without travelling far and stunning views of Edinburgh and its notable landmarks.
The Kingsknowe Golf Club was designed by the great course architect James Braid. Hills golf is one of the finest ways to play. You should play during spring when the beautiful cherry trees that line Kingknowe come alive.
Kingsknowe costs £45 to play per person, but booking a tee time before your arrival is essential.
Royal Burgess Golf Club
Royal Burgess Golf Club sits next to the previously mentioned Bruntsfield Links, pairing the two up for a delightful golf day, boasting a stunning renaissance club that offers many unique amenities like a fully stocked bar, dining room, and many more options to wind down a day of golf.
Royal Burgess is a parkland-style course that requires careful precision and willingness to make long shots along the park’s fairways.
Royal Musselburgh Golf Club
This east course is nestled within the beautiful Prestongrange, just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh’s city centre. Royal Musselburgh Golf Club offers a mature parkland course designed by James Braid, with 6,000 yards of manicured greens and stunning surroundings.
Royal Musselburgh has played host to the Old Club Cup, and you, too, can try to conquer the challenging par 70 course. You can enjoy a round on this golf course on the precipice of West Lothian for £85 during the weekday.
Other Golf Courses in Scotland
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, & Moray Golf Courses
- Argyll & Bute Golf Courses
- Central & West Scotland Golf Courses
- Dumfries & Galloway Golf Courses
- Glasgow, Clyde, & Ayrshire Golf Courses
- Perthshire, Kinross, & Angus Golf Courses
- Scottish Borders Golf Courses
- Scottish Highlands Golf Courses
- Scottish Isles Golf Courses
- The Kingdom of Fife Golf Courses
