Royal Musselburgh

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Royal Musselburgh Golf Club © 2006 by Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla The East Lothian area (North Berwick Golf Coast) is teeming with golf history. Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is a part of that history and starts the famous stretch of great and historic golf courses on the North Berwick Golf Coast. It is, itself, the fifth oldest golf club in the world. In fact, The Old Club Cup, which has been awarded at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club since 1774, is the oldest trophy still competitively played for in the world. Talk about OLD...they've been playing golf here since before the United States Declaration of Independence was signed!!! Designed by the famous Open champion and golf architect, James Braid, Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is a picturesque parkland course kept in tip-top shape and a treat to play, especially when you are coming into the home stretch on the last five holes. These is a bevy of beauties starting with the short par 3, 14th hole. At only 149 yards how difficult could it be? It's named "The Gully Hole" so figure it out! From the tee you can't see what the hole has in store. And maybe it's better you can't since you have to carry over a 30 foot gully to a small green with fierce bunkers guarding the front. Take aim and fire away and hope the wind is your friend. If you come through that hole unscathed, hold your breath because you are about to tackle the hardest hole on the course, the 15th--a dogleg left, 440 yard par 4 with an undulating fairway and a green that you can't see from the tee. The 16th is a good looking par 3 with steep, deep bunkers in front of the green and a plateaued green. If the flag is in the back of the green, give it plenty of club because that's where the plateau is. The 18th needs a tee shot of at least 238 yards-more often than not, into the wind-to clear the slope in the center of the fairways and give you a look at the green. A sliced second shot can have you bouncing your ball off the clubhouse and having to hit your approach with a gallery of kibitzing golfers looking on. Looking down the 1st fairway. The beginning of a good parkland golf course. Speaking of clubhouses, The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club clubhouse dates back to the 12th century and is magnificent. This 12th century mansion is one of the loveliest clubhouses in golf. This course is worth a play. A parkland course kept in excellent shape, it is a fair and testing layout and one that has a few surprises in store for the unwary golfer. Score early on the easy outward nine because the last part of this course will give you all you can handle. Golf Nook Scotland rating -- a solid PAR. Scorecard # White Yellow Par SI Red Par # White Yellow Par SI Red Par 1 349 309 4 8 293 4 10 356 343 4 7 330 4 2 295 280 4 18 269 4 11 370 351 4 15 331 4 3 368 349 4 10 306 4 12 362 329 4 11 300 4 4 365 352 4 4 335 4 13 452 435 4 1 413 5 5 329 311 4 16 292 4 14 149 127 3 17 118 3 6 176 147 3 6 128 3 15 440 419 4 3 409 5 7 391 363 4 2 350 4 16 176 148 3 9 141 3 8 420 410 4 12 359 4 17 352 334 4 13 300 4 9 477 465 5 14 460 5 18 410 377 4 5 369 5 Out 3170 2986 36 2792 36 In 3067 2863 34 2711 37 Out 3170 2986 36 2792 36 Total 6237 5849 70 5503 73 SSS White & Yellow - 70 SSS Ladies - 72 Rates: Weekdays: 18 holes - £25 Day ticket - £35 Weekend: 18 holes - £35 Day ticket - N/A Directions: Just west of Prestonpans on the B1361. Watch for the sign. It's easy to miss. Miscellaneous Notes -- Visitors are welcome to use the clubhouse facilities including showers and changing area. There is a bar with bar food served throughout the day. Also available is catering to large groups. This is one of the few golf courses that rents buggies (electric golf carts). Club rental is also available. Pro: John Henderson Secretary: T.H. Hardie Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, Prestongrange House, Prestonpans, EH32 9RP Scotland Tel & Fax: (0)1875 810276 Website: royalmusselburgh.co.uk e-mail: royalmusselburgh@btinternet.com *For WHAT TO DO ALL DAY, please see the North Berwick Golf Coast area.