32 Barnton Ave,
Barnton, Edinburgh EH4 6JH
Office
+44 (0)131 336 1479Pro shop
+44 (0)131 336 1479Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David Patrick (PGA, Head Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland and hi-end residential.
Designer:
Original layout designed by Willie Park Jr (1898). Subsequent improvements made by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1922), James Braid (1930) and Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1974). Significant modifications, bunker renewal and some rerouting by Tom Mackenzie & Martin Ebert (2018).
55.967836
-3.283683
4 miles NW of Edinburgh
From the centre of Edinburgh take the A90 to the city's north-western suburbs, direction Barnton. 1 mile east of Barnton, turn off the A90 onto Quality St. After 300 yds, at roundabout, continue straight over into Cramond Rd. After 200 yds turn left into Barnton Ave. Follow Barnton Ave for o.5 mi, then turn right, and follow road to Golf Club.
Bruntsfield Links, Barnton
The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society: As the world's fourth oldest golf club, Bruntsfield Links is understandably steeped in history, an illustrious member of the earliest days of golf in Scotland. Even the current course, which the Club moved to in 1898, is not without its historical footnotes. A small quarry (now hidden behind dense woodland) is skirted around at the 9th, 10th and 11th holes. From this site, large granite blocks were excavated and shipped to the USA to form the pedestal of New York's Statue of Liberty.
History aside, Bruntsfield is an excellently laid out and always engaging parkland golf course. A few heathland touches might also be noticed, not least the wispy fescues that await seriously wayward shots. Apart from gentle climbs at the par-4 1st and par-5 9th, and downhill slopes at the par-4 2nd and 11th holes, most of the course occupies flatter terrain.
Covering an expansive area, you will rarely feel too constrained from the tee. The partly open, partly tree-lined layout roams across its pleasant parkland home, liberally dotted with a variety of mature trees. The generally good-width fairways lead you to stylishly bunkered, subtly sloping and excellently maintained greens.
From its higher elevations, and not least from the large and well-appointed clubhouse, you will enjoy scenic views onto the Firth of Forth, and the small islands of Cramond and Inchkeith.
If you can tear yourself away from the renowned duneland links further east along the Lothian coast, you might be tempted by Edinburgh's abundant array of parkland layouts. And here, straddling the city's northwestern outer suburbs of Barnton and Cramond, you will find two of the capital's best and most historic ... the Bruntsfield Links and the Royal Burgess Golfing Society.
Pick of the holes: a mix of straight and doglegging holes includes several that are played from nicely elevated teeing grounds, like the beautifully crafted par-4 2nd and par-4 8th.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and Sundays; tee-times rarely available for outside visitors on Saturdays.
Must book in advance. Valid handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2025].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire if pre-booked.
Good
The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society traces its origins back to 1761. For many years thereafter its members played their golf on the Bruntsfield Links course in Edinburgh city (this course was 6-holes, had been played on since the 15th century, was less than a mile south of Edinburgh Castle, and is now a 36-hole pitch & putt facility).
By 1876, with Bruntsfield Links becoming too congested, the Bruntsfield Links members moved out to Musselburgh, east of the city. The Society had already been holding their Autumn Meeting at Musselburgh since 1839. Here they shared a 9-hole course with The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society (who also moved from their original Bruntsfield Links home) and Musselburgh Golf Club (later Royal Musselburgh).
By 1898 Musselburgh also felt overcrowded, so the Bruntsfield Links members moved across the city to their current home in Barnton. Edinburgh Burgess (nowadays Royal Burgess) had also made the move to Barnton, and now resides next door to Bruntsfield Links.
Scotland's 87th best course (Golf World, 2024).
111 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh EH12 8NF
+44 (0)131 334 9191
Visit websiteThe Edinburgh Marriott is located on the A8, just 2 miles from Edinburgh Airport and 3 miles west of the city centre. You can enjoy Edinburgh's famous festivals and historic sites with a convenient local bus service to the city centre, which runs regularly from the hotel.
No
Dalmahoy; Royal Burgess; Bruntsfield Links
Royal Musselburgh
187 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UG.
+44 (0)131 535 9988
Visit websiteLocated in the western suburbs of Scotland's capital city, the 111 guestrooms at the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield (formerly the Edinburgh Capital Hotel) is designed with the comfort and convenience of its valued guest foremost in mind. The rooms are contemporary and chic in style, designed to help you relax and rejuvenate.
No
Dalmahoy; Royal Burgess; Bruntsfield Links
Royal Musselburgh
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).
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: "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.
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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