Golf at Gullane goes back to the 1600s, although the club itself was formally established in 1884. The beginnings of the No.1 Course are a bit hazy and nobody can say for certain who first laid out the routing. What we do know is that Willie Park Jnr. later added two more courses to the property, Gullane No.2 in 1898 and Gullane No.3 in 1910.
All three courses sit on some of the best links turf on Scotland's East coast, right at the west end of Gullane village in East Lothian, around 45 minutes from Edinburgh airport. Get up onto the higher ground and you'll see why people rave about the setting, with big views back towards Edinburgh and across the Forth to the Kingdom of Fife.
The big win here is underfoot. Gullane tends to stay firmer and more playable than plenty of inland tracks, even when the weather turns. The turf drains well and you'll often find the courses open when others are shut, which makes it a solid option for autumn and winter golf. If you're building an East Lothian itinerary, it's well worth planning at least two rounds here, and if time allows, playing all three gives you proper variety without ever leaving the same patch of classic linksland.
Who is this for? Anyone who wants a proper Scottish links day, springy turf, sea air and a bit of history under your feet, with the bonus of three courses on the same site.
Who is it best for? Golfers who love traditional links golf and want a genuine East Lothian must-play. No.1 is the headline act, but No.2 and No.3 are ideal for adding another round without blowing the budget, especially for groups and societies.
