About Musselburgh Links, The Old Golf Course
Musselburgh Links, The Old Golf Course is a public nine-hole links course in Musselburgh, close to Edinburgh and part of East Lothian’s Scotland’s Golf Coast. Its appeal lies in straightforward access to a course with a long, documented place in golf’s early history.
Key Features & Highlights
• Open Championship connection: Musselburgh Links served as a venue for golf’s oldest major championship during the nineteenth century. Hosted the competition on six occasions between 1874 and 1889.
• Public-course management: Enjoy Leisure operates the course for East Lothian Council, supporting visitor access rather than private-club membership requirements.
• Two tee options: Course information lists White and Yellow markers, giving players a clear choice at the start of their round.
• East Lothian location: The course provides a historic stop within Scotland’s Golf Coast area and is convenient for Edinburgh-based itineraries.
Course Overview
Musselburgh Links The Old Golf Course is an original Open Championship venue in Musselburgh, East Lothian. The championship was staged here six times from 1874 to 1889, giving a short public course a direct connection to the formative years of competitive golf in Scotland.
Course setting and character
The course sits within the Musselburgh Racecourse Complex on Balcarres Road, an unusual setting that places golf alongside one of the town’s established sporting venues. Its nine-hole links format suits visitors seeking a concise round while remaining within easy reach of Edinburgh and the wider East Lothian golfing coast.
Traditional golf options
Hickory club hire is available for players who want to approach the course with period-style equipment rather than a modern set. This is a practical way to add historical context to a round, particularly for visitors interested in the earlier forms of the game associated with Musselburgh.
Practical visitor information
Enjoy Leisure manages the course on behalf of East Lothian Council. Published green fees range from £6.10 to £28, although visitors should check the current rate and available tee times before making travel plans. The course is generally open throughout the year, with access affected by the racecourse calendar.
Planning a Musselburgh round
The listed tee markers are White and Yellow. Allow time to locate the Stables Pavilion within the racecourse complex, especially if arriving from outside Musselburgh. For an Edinburgh-based golf itinerary, Musselburgh Links offers a compact historic stop that can be planned alongside other East Lothian courses.
For current availability and booking arrangements, use the operator’s official visitor information before setting out.
History & Heritage
A recorded early golf site
Golf at Musselburgh Links was first documented in 1672, placing the site among Scotland’s earliest recorded locations for the game. That record matters because it identifies organised play at the links well before golf developed its later championship structures and modern administration.
The course’s story is closely tied to Musselburgh itself, where the racecourse complex remains part of the setting. Rather than presenting history through a museum display alone, the site continues to operate as a public course. Visitors can therefore play a present-day round on ground associated with several centuries of golf activity, while recognising that the course is also shaped by its working racecourse location.
Insider Tips & Visitor Information
1. Check Fixture Dates: Public play is normally available year-round, but the course closes on Musselburgh Racecourse fixture days: It is also closed on 25 and 26 December and on 1 and 2 January, so confirm the calendar before travelling.
2. Review Green Fees: Published prices run from £6: 10 to £28. Check the current visitor tariff when planning, and confirm which rate applies to your playing category and travel dates.
3. Try Hickory Hire: Hickory clubs are available to hire for players who want an equipment choice aligned with the course’s early golfing associations: Ask about availability when arranging your round, particularly if several players in a group want to use them.
4. Allow Time to Arrive: The course is based at the Stables Pavilion within Musselburgh Racecourse Complex rather than at a stand-alone clubhouse: Build in a little extra time to find the correct arrival point on Balcarres Road.
