5
Golf

Golf courses and Golf Ranges are in abundance in the Edinburgh area. This is not surprising as Scotland is the home of golf. It has been played here since the 14th century. In 1744 one of the first golf clubs in the world was formed and known as the Gentleman Golfers of Leith. The Golf courses run in two categories. Those run by the local authority and those run by private clubs. Most are run all the year round, and most will allow guests to use the course. This is of course dependent on things like competitions and high member use. Obviously members take priority. Thus, it is always recommended that you book in advance. Below are a list of some of the Golf courses in Edinburgh, and a link to that club. It is by no means exhaustive and further information can be obtained here. Once again if golf is your thing, simply browse till you see a course you fancy and book what you want from the comfort of your home, by phone or email. I have done the research for you. All you have to do is look. As there are so many Golf clubs I have listed those in the Lothians on a seperate link. Just click the Lothian Golf bar on the left to access..

Craigmilller Park Golf Club

This golf course is situated near the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill and has lovely panoramic view of Edinburgh. It is 5825 yards long and a par 72 course. A long-established Edinburgh golf club, inaugurated in 1895, it moved to its present location in 1906 as a nine hole course. Thereafter, in order to extend the course to eighteen holes, Club Councils tried to obtain ground from local landowners but it took until 1925 before that aim was achieved. Nick Faldo won the 1976 open here and after that he turned professional. Contact can be made by email or by telephoning 0131 667 0047. It is a private golf club.

Prestonfield Golf Club

This golf course is situated beneath Arthur Seat. It is bounded by Holyrood Park and the bird sanctuary at Duddingston Loch. It is 6207 yards long and a par 70. It caters for corporate hospitality and is open all the year round. The course is of historic importance. Prestonfield Golf Club is a James Braid designed 18 hole parkland course. There is no shortage of challenge or interest on this scenic and entertaining course – made even more fascinating by the variables of wind direction and strength. You will find much to test your skill, inspire the spirit and refresh the mind. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 667 9665. It is a private club.

Carrick Knowe Golf Course

This golf course is sited in the heart of one of Edinburgh's housing estates. It is a mature parkland golf course and each hole is beautifully framed by a variety of trees, set in the shadow of the famous Murrayfield Stadium with Edinburgh Castle as a grand backdrop. The gentle contours make this an easy course to walk. Suitable for golfers of all abilities and ages with golf buggies available for hire. The golf course has undergone some changes on the front nine holes to meet with USGA specifications giving a great contrast between old and new. Be careful of those strategically placed bunkers which can present even the most experienced of golfers a challenge.It is a 18 hole course but is ideally suited for a return on the back 9 for those who are pushed for time. This is a local authority golf course and booking recommended. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 337 1096. It is run on a not for profit basis.

Silverknowes Golf Club

This golf course is sited to the north of Edinburgh and over looks the River Forth with stunning views over into the Kingdom of Fife. It is just over 6000 yards long and is a par 70 course. It caters for group booking. This is a is a private members club, with the golf course managed by Edinburgh Leisure on a pay-as-you-play basis, and booking is recommended. The clubhouse is open seven days a week from morning until late, with a very spacious Games Room and a large lounge overlooking the course and the Firth of Forth. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 312 7088 for group bookings or 0131 338 3843 for general enquiries 0131 336 5359 There is a caravan tour park sited on the boundary of this course. I like this course as my golf is rubbish and it is very hard to lose the ball.

Liberton Golf Club

This golf course course is situated in the south east of the city. It is a short golf course being a par 67 and just over 5000 yards long with very tight greens. It offers various golf packages and also caters for corporate events of all sizes. Robert Adam designed Clubhouse which provides members, visitors and guests with comfortable facilities, include a bar and catering service is set within 88 acres of our rolling, parkland course which is maintained all the year round in excellent condition.Booking is a must and contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 664 3009.

Craigentinny Golf Course

This golf course is situated to the north east of the city and overlooks the River Forth. It is just under 5500yards long and a par 67. This is a local authority golf course and it boast a view of Arthur Seat and Calton Hill. There's an interesting mix of holes on the undulating parkland course from some tricky par threes to some very testing par fours. The well-maintained greens are guarded in places by awkward bunkers so read the green carefully, plan ahead and with a level of accuracy you should hopefully hit par. Booking is recommended. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 554 7501

Braid Hills Golf Course

This golf course is situated in the south of the city and offers a magnificent view across the capital. Braid Hills is a historic gem of a golf course that was a testing ground for iconic golfing figures such as James Braid and Tommy Armour. With outstanding views to the Pentland Hills and the panorama across Edinburgh’s skyline to the Firth of Forth, the natural contours and native gorse bushes shape the course and will give golfers of all abilities a memorable round - and provide a challenge for the more experienced. At less than 6,000 yards, the test is not about the length but about hitting shots from one hilly crag to the next. The layout is one of the most vertically challenging in Edinburgh. There are only a few bunkers and the rough is relatively light but the slope and proliferation of gorse can make scoring difficult. It is a par 71 and offers a real challenge to accuracy. Booking is recommended particularly at the height of the summer. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 447 6666. It is a local authority golf course.

Kingsknowe Golf Club

This golf course is situated in the west of the city. It is a Parkland course and Cromwell's army gathered where the course now is in 1650 to bombard the nearby Redhall Castle. It is just under 6000 yards long and a par 69. Golf Club is a lively and friendly club situated in the south west of Edinburgh, only 10 minutes from the city centre, and 5 minutes from the M8 and M9 Motorways. The Edinburgh City By-Pass is also close to the club, and the 44 Bus stops right outside our door on Lanark Road. Established in 1908 the club has an 18 hole golf course, originally designed by Alec Herd the 1902 Open champion, and later redesigned by James Braid. The parkland golf course is laid out over and through the valleys of gently rolling hills and has two loops of 9 from the clubhouse. The standard scratch score is 69 for Gents and 71 for Ladies.It welcomes visitors and groups. Booking is recommended. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 441 1145. It is a private golf club.

Mortonhall Golf Club

This golf course is situated in the south of the city. It is a moorland course, just over 6500 yards long and par 72. Founded in 1892, Mortonhall is the oldest course in the City of Edinburgh over which golf is still played and is regarded as one of Scotland’s premier clubs. With its immaculate greens and fairways, lined with mature trees and whin-covered outcrops the course is a superb championship test of 6530 yards, boasting unrivalled scenic views across Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills. The club welcomes visitors and groups but prior booking is essential. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 447 6974. It is a private golf club.

Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club

This golf course is situated just to the north of the city in the Craiglockhart area. It is a parkland type course just under 5000 yards long and a par 69. It sports a grand view over the city and the River Forth. The course was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, boasting fantastic views across Fife, the Lothians and many of Edinburgh’s historic landmarks. A modern south-facing clubhouse was built in 2001 looking towards the Pentland Hills. The clubhouse offers first class facilities and catering for members and visitors alike. By arrangement the clubhouse is also available for hire for small conferences and workshops.The club welcomes visitors and groups and booking is recommended. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 447 1219. It is a private golf club

Royal Burgess Golf Club

This golf course is situated to the north of the city just off the main A90 road in the Barnton area. The A90 is one of the main routes north out of Edinburgh to the Queensferry Crosing. The course is a parkland type course and booking for the date required is essential. With more than 280 years of history behind us, The Royal Burgess is widely recognised as the oldest Golf Club in the world and is one of the finest golf clubs in Scotland. Located in the beautiful Scottish capital city of Edinburgh, just five miles from the centre, our championship golf course, designed by the legendary Willie Park Jr, is an excellent example of parkland golf,A booking request form is incorporated in the clubs web site. The course is just under 6500 yards long and is a par 71. Contacts and booking can be made here. Or telephone 0131 339 2075. It is a private golf club

Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society

This golf course is situated near the location of the previous mentioned golf club. The society is the forth oldest society in the world.It is just under 6500 yards and a par 71. The society moved to the present location in 1896 and the course boast magnificent views. The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society is the fourth oldest in the world and one of Scotland's most prestigious clubs located only 3 miles from Edinburgh city centre and 1 hour from The Old Course, St Andrews. The mature parkland style course was originally designed by Willie Park Jnr with later modifications by world renowned architects Dr Alister MacKenzie and James Braid. As a testament to the quality of the course The R&A since 2011 have selected Bruntsfield as a Qualifying Venue for the Open Championship. Prior booking is essential and contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 336 1479. It is a private golf club.

Turnhouse Golf Club

This golf course is situated to the west of the city and is directly under the flight path onto runway 24 of Edinburgh International Airport. Turnhouse Golf Club is located on the west side of Edinburgh, close to Edinburgh International Airport, and has excellent views of the Pentland Hills to the south with Fife and the Ochills to the north. Comprising of two loops of 9 holes starting and finishing in front of the clubhouse, driving range, short game areas and PGA Professional, it is a must for anyone considering membership or visiting Edinburgh.Although not essential prior booking is advised. The course is just over 6000 yards long and is a par 70. The club has one of the largest practice areas in the Lothians. Contact can be made here or by telephoning 0131 339 1014. It is a private golf club.