Scotland’s Oldest Golf Courses

Scotland’s Oldest Golf Courses is a short golf blog that highlights some of the oldest golf courses in Scotland.

I feel like I am sticking my neck out on this one because there will be a few of you who will disagree with the following list.

Remember that I am writing about the oldest courses and not the oldest golf clubs. This can and did, whilst researching the subject, get quite confusing.

I am also referring to the modern game of golf and not Kolf, which was the earlier dutch version.

These courses are not known to visiting golfers from other countries. I haven’t played all of the courses on this list but they are on my bucket list of courses to play in Scotland.

My list of some of Scotland’s Oldest Golf Courses.

St Andrews, Old Course.

Golf was first recorded here in 1552 and as a result, it is now called ‘The Home of Golf’ and is always a pleasure to visit, not just as a golfer either. The town never loses its charm and when you see the view from the Old Course Hotel, looking towards the R&A clubhouse, it never fails to give you goosebumps. I live a short drive away from St Andrews and so I get to visit on a regular basis. I hope that one day, I will manage to play all of the courses. Check out the website which can be found here.

Montrose,1562 Course.

Golf has been played here since 1562. It is famed to be the 5th oldest golf club in the world. This is a great links course and is really cheap to play too. I always class it as the best example of traditional links golf. A wonderful track to play and it tends to be quite friendly to most golfers’ games. Click here to visit their website.

Musselburgh Old Course.

Golf, here, dates back to 1567. Musselburgh is ‘The oldest golf club in the world’. A wonderful, charming layout that is not too long but can be very tricky for some. This place is steeped in history and if you are lucky enough to enter the old clubhouse, ask for a guided tour. The staff are always friendly and make you feel more than welcome. Check out their website by clicking the link.

Elie & Earlsferry.

Another lovely town in Fife. Wonderful coastline and a fantastic links. It is very difficult to pin down, the exact history of the links but it has certainly been around for some time. Golf has been played here as early as the 15 century but I couldn’t find any written evidence of this. Elie Golf Club is well worth a visit when in Fife. Don’t forget to visit the amazing beach either. The Elie Golf Club website can be found here.

Bruntsfield Links.

The golf club was formed in 1761 but golf has been played here since the 15th Century. Bruntsfield Links is ‘The 4th oldest golf club in the world’. It was built in the shadows of the castle and is another cracking golf club to visit in Edinburgh. The course is excellent to play and is a really good test of golf. The course holds The Open qualifiers too. Click here to visit their website.

Fraserburgh.

The sport has been played on the links since 1613 and the club was formed in 1777. There are two great courses here but the Corbiehill course is probably the better of the two. A very underestimated course. Check out their website by clicking the link.

Fortrose.

Golf has been played here, on the links, since 1702. The club was formed in 1793. It holds the title of being ‘The 7th oldest golf club in the world’. Fortrose golf course is listed in the top 50 courses in Scotland. Check out this great course by visiting the website which can be found here.

Would you have put a different course on this list?

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