Edinburgh /  East Lothian

East Lothian provides an inspirational setting for golf, and with 22 courses it may well be the highest concentration of links golf courses in the world. Eight of these courses featured in National Club Golfer’s Top 100 Links in the UK and Ireland (more than any other region in Britain), with Muirfield topping Golf Monthly’s list of Top 100 Golf Courses in the UK and Ireland. This incredible corner of the Home of Golf features a depth, variety and quality of golf courses, which can compete with any golf destination in the world. It all begins in 1672 at one of the world’s oldest golf courses, Musselburgh Links, where Mary Queen of Scots once played.

You will recognise familiar names such as Gullane and North Berwick Golf Club, hosts of the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Pre-Qualifier respectively; along with the worldfamous home of the 2013 Open Championship, Muirfield, which Jack Nicklaus described as ‘the best course in Britain’. Stunning coastal vistas are offered in abundance with no better an example than that of the seventh tee of Gullane No. 1, where you will find a 360-degree panorama described as ‘the best view in golf’.

Beautiful coastal surrounding also feature when playing Longniddry, Kilspindie, Luffness New, Whitekirk and The Glen, but each course presents a very different experience and challenge. This rich wealth of historic courses is complemented by a collection of recent additions. Craigielaw, which opened in 2001, boasts more spectacular sea views and has already hosted many prestigious events. Located within Archerfield Estate are East Lothian’s newest gems: Archerfield Links, home of the world’s first Nike Performance Fitting Centre and host to the 2015 Scottish Seniors Open; and The Renaissance Club, which offers a world-class haven.

The journey along the coast gloriously concludes at Dunbar Golf Club, where three giants of the game, Morris, Baird and Sayers created a course, blessed with reputation for abundant sunshine and which lives long in the memory of all who play it. However, golf in the area is not confined to the coast, with some fantastic inland courses, including Musselburgh Golf Club, Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, Haddington, Gifford and Castle Park all set amongst peaceful, picturesque Scottish countryside. With such a wealth of golfing experiences available and all courses an essential part of any golfer’s repertoire, the only option is to return again and again to play them