Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)

Archerfield Links

The Clubhouse, Golf Green,

Dirleton, East Lothian EH39 5HU

  • Office

    +44 (0)1620 897 050
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1620 897 050
  • Fax

    +44 (0)870 051 5487
  • Golf pro

    Gary Nicol / Oliver C. Morton.

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Links-style & wooded heathland. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland, limited hi-end residential, and briefly seaside (Firth of Forth).

  • Designer:

    David J. Russell

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6942
6204
5468
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
74.0
70.6
72.2

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Fidra Links. Also at Archerfield is the 18-hole Dirleton Links (par-72; 6935 yards from back tees).

Location

Latitude:

56.061671

Longitude:

-2.785510

How to get there:

20 miles NE of Edinburgh.

On the eastern outskirts of Edinburgh, at the junction of the A1 and A720 (Edinburgh by-pass), follow the A1 direction Berwick-upon-Tweed. After 5 miles take the Bankton Junction exit, and follow the A198 direction North Berwick. Follow the A198 through Longniddry, Aberlady and Gullane. 1.5 miles further east from Gullane, turn left into Archerfield.

Archerfield (Fidra Links)

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 2005

Archerfield (Fidra Links): the Archerfield estate boasts two excellently presented championship golf courses - the Fidra and Dirleton Links. The layouts can be played by the club's members and their guests, as well as visitors staying at the sumptuous Archerfield House, and associated Lodges. Visitor Experiences packages are also now available for non-residents.

Both Archerfield's courses possess their own unique charm and challenges. The Fidra Links meanders across relatively flat terrain, at times moving through a pine forest, at others into a more open links-like environment. Early-on the course passes some opulently sized real estate, which command the prime beachfront location.

Laid out as two nine-hole loops (with a halfway house between), the Fidra's front-nine gets more of the tree-lined holes. The back-nine is the more open and linksy, with grassy dunes, gorse bushes and deep rough giving the holes a classical links-style character. The generally good-width fairways can tighten-up from time to time, as at the short par-5 6th, while a superb variety of bunkering will test your course management and bunker skills throughout.

Laid out as two nine-hole loops, the terrain may not possess significant elevation changes, but there's no shortage of variety in this classy layout. On the fairways, bumps and hollows play their part, while the large and immaculate greens are surrounded by sand bunkers and slick grassy run-offs. Large sandy waste areas play a key part on the par-4 12th, par-4 16th and challenging long par-5 18th.

Pick of the holes: amongst an excellent collection of par-3s, the 4th hole steals the show. Here at the layout's only beachside sea-view hole you'll a wonderful view out onto the Firth of Forth and nearby Fidra Island, complete with its attractive lighthouse. The tree-lined par-3 8th is also excellent ... seriously defended by two intimidatingly deep front bunkers..

List of courses: Home of Golf
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)
  • Photo of Archerfield (Fidra Links)

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Archerfield Links is a private members' club. Guests staying at Archerfield's onsite accommodations can book to play on weekdays and weekends. A limited number of Visitor Experience tee-times can also be arranged, based on availability.

Handicap required.

Green fees

Contact Archerfield House or the golf clubhouse for information on Stay&Play and Visitor Experience packages.

Other information

Players generally walk this course. Caddies available.

Practice facilities

Excellent (incl double-ended range).

Did you know?

Stately Archerfield House looks out onto the estate's two superb David J. Russell designed golf courses - the Fidra and the Dirleton. Fidra Links takes its name from the small offshore island that can be seen from the 4th and 5th holes.

Named after the archers of King Edward I* who pitched their tents here during the English invasion of 1298, Archerfield has a fascinating story to tell. Its ancient past can still be seen in the form of a Scottish burial cairn now carefully preserved on the second hole of the Fidra course.

After enjoying a splendid period as a stately home, the house was taken over by the British Army shortly after the outbreak of World War II. The estate fell into inexorable decline in the decades that followed. Hidden away like a precious jewel it was brought back to life in relatively recent times.

*Edward I of England reigned from 1272-1307; he is often referred to as Edward Longshanks.

Published ranking

Scotland's 45th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Britain & Ireland's 139th best course (Golf World, 2025).

Where2Stay

  • Archerfield House5-star

    Dirleton, East Lothian EH39 5HQ

    +44 (0)1620 850 542

    Visit website

    Archerfield House and its adjacent Lodges offer luxury accommodation on the Archerfield Estate. Here you can enjoy a very comfortable and high-quality Stay&Play experience.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Archerfield (Dirleton and Fidra Links courses)

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Muirfield; North Berwick; Glen; Gullane (Nos 1, 2 & 3); Luffness New; Craigielaw.

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Dunbar; Royal Musselburgh; Musselburgh Links (Old course).

  • The Open Arms3-star

    Dirleton, East Lothian EH39 5EG

    +44 (0)1620 850 241

    Visit website

    Located opposite 13th century Dirleton Castle, this long established family-run hotel is ideally located to access the many excellent golf courses in East Lothian.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Muirfield; Renaissance Club (private); Archerfield (Dirleton & Fidra Links); Gullane 1, 2 & 3; Luffness New; Craigielaw; North Berwick; Glen.

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Dunbar; Kilspindie; Longniddry; Royal Musselburgh.

Find a course

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Tournaments

Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).

Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).

Who's Who

Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.

Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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