Historical Links (Musselburgh Links- The Old Golf Course)

Member Name: scotslady

Product:	Musselburgh Links- The Old Golf Course
Date:	06/07/01 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Oldest Course in the world, Easy walking, Shortish

Disadvantages: Public on the course at times, Lack of catering facilities

Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have played here in 1567 although tangible evidence only dates back to 1672. This does, however, make Musselburgh Old Course Golf Links the oldest course in the world still in play. If you fancy reliving history and using the old style hickory clubs, then this is the place to come.

The course has several distinctions in the world of golf - one being that the size of the hole (4.25 inches) originated here. It was the diameter of the cutting implement used at Musselburgh and the R&A deemed the size mandatory in 1893. The Brassie wood (a metal soled club) is believed to have been invented here to enable golfers to play off the road surface back to the course from the A1 running along one side.

The course has had its share of open champions too – ie, Wullie Park Senior, Wullie Park Junior, David (Deacon) Brown, Mungo Park, Bob Ferguson and Jamie Anderson. The first ever Ladies open was held here in 1811 for the fishwives of Musselburgh. They competed for a Creel and Skull and 2 Barcelona Silk Handkerchiefs. Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club holds its Ladies Open in August each year and although its not a Creel and Skull now, the silk handkerchiefs are still part of the prize to maintain its historical connection.

Several prestigious Golf Clubs have played out of here over the years but they since moved on to their own private courses. A few of these are The Royal Musselburgh (1774-1925), The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (1836-1891), Royal Burgess Golfing Society (1874-1895) and Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society(1875-1895).


THE COURSE

It is a public course run by East Lothian Council and prior to 1839, the course consisted of 7 holes. It is now a typical 9 hole links course and is situated on the left hand side of the A1 as you head south out of Musselburgh. It is contained mostly within the rails of Musselburgh Race Course. The best type of shots on this c
ourse are the low running shots as the greens are fairly small but good. There is a lot of run so you do not want to fly your ball at the green and there are several bunkers concealed in the dips and hollows of the fairways. It is a flat easy walking course although you have to play over and cross the racecourse at 3 of the holes.

The 1st is a 146yd par 3 playing over the racecourse to an elevated green with bunkers left and right .

The 2nd is a 344yd par 4 with the green placed in a dip and backed by gorse bushes for those who use too much club.

The 3rd is a 314yd par 4 requiring a fairly straight tee shot to avoid the racecourse on the right and the gorse on the left. Don’t be too straight though, there are 4 strategically placed bunkers hidden in the dips.

The 4th is a 424yd par 4 playing over the racecourse to the historical Mrs Forman’s pub. A decent well-placed drive slightly left is required to give yourself a chance at the green with the pub at the back and the A1 to the right hand side.

The 5th is a 178yd par 3 with 7 bunkers and numerous opportunities for funny bounces.

The 6th is a 323yd par 4 playing back over to within the racecourse again with strategically placed bunkers hidden just at driving distance. It plays to a two level green and is usually into the wind.

The 7th is a 476yd par 5 usually into the wind. Fairly straightforward with bunkers you can see.

The 8th is a 237yd par 3 with grassy hollows and hidden bunkers. You do want to be straight on this one.

The 9th is a 366yd par 4 that was remodelled a few years ago. Unless you want to risk a bad lie in the rough it is best to be played as a dogleg. Most of the bunkers are in view but are fairly deep so avoid if possible.

FACILITIES

It costs £7.50 per adult for each 9 holes. Trolleys, clubs etc can be hired as can the hickory clubs (£20 a game). Tee off times can be booked b
y phone, fax or on-line and the only difficult times are usually on a Sunday morning as the Club play their competitions at this time. It is a council run course and does not have great changing or catering facilities. The starter's hut has a collection of memorabilia and sells hot and cold drinks, crisps and sweets.

The Club house for Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club is situated opposite the entrance gate to the course in Balcarres Road. All visitors are welcome but the opening times are restricted mostly to weekends and only basic meals are available unless booked in advance.

I have been a member here for about 10 years and I love the course. I think it's a privilege to be able to play it with all its history and background although it often gets a lot of abuse from the general public.

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