Dunbar Golf Club

Lothian, Scotland

About

Course Architect: Old Tom Morris, James Braid & Ben Sayers
Number of Holes: 18
Par: 71
Distances: 6032m
Course Type: Links
Club Type: Golf Club
Address: East Links, Dunbar EH42 1LL, United Kingdom
Contact Us: [email protected]

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In the words of one international golf reviewer, a visit to play golf at Dunbar provides ‘just about everything you can ask for’. That is certainly true if a challenging links course, stunning scenery and a friendly clubhouse are the elements you think make up the perfect golfing experience. To play on the Open qualifying championship links is to play within yards of waves as they crash onto the rocky shore. It is to pit yourself against a course made by nature and then man’s best efforts over 150 years. It is to walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest golfers in the world. Dunbar Golf Club lies on Scotland’s East Lothian coastline, not far from other famous golf courses such as Gullane, North Berwick and Muirfield. Various images supplied by Dunbar Golf Club and Gary Lisbon.

Golf Course Information

First laid out in 1856 and redesigned over the years by the likes of Old Tom Morris, Ben Sayers and James Braid, Dunbar East Links has a page pedigree second to none. The par-71, 6,597-yard golf course offers three par 5s, including the monster 506-yard ninth hole, Longbanks. Year-round, these North Sea links offer the total golf experience on this narrow strip that runs along a rocky beach, bordered by the Old Deer Park wall. Battling the sea wind to hit the well-defined holes following the coastal contours guaranteed a new experience every round. Light breezes transform the course into a serious challenge.

As befits such a gem of golf course architecture, it has played host to countless national and international championships. It has been a final qualifying course for the Open when played at Muirfield, while The British Boys’, The Scottish Amateur, Scottish PGA, Scottish Boys’, British Ladies’ and the Ladies Home International Championships have all been played here. Interestingly Dunbar hosted the first PGA Championship on the European Tour in 1968 (now contested each year at Wentworth as the Tour’s flagship event). Well defined holes following the natural contours of a narrow strip of land between the old red sandstone deer park wall and the rocky shoreline are the hallmarks of these links.

At a little over 6,500 yards, it is not the longest championship course, but any golfer thinking this equates to a lack of challenge will soon be put right. This is a course built upon those old-fashioned golfing virtues of club selection and shot-making. With the ever-present and ever-changing wind off the sea, it demands accuracy and judgement, and rewards only bravery and skill.

Venue Information

Players are entitled to complimentary use of the practice facilities prior to their tee time. This included a short 165m driving range and putting greens. They also have nets close to the club house (They do not provide golf balls.) They also have Wi-Fi which can be used in the Clubhouse and can be obtained from the bar.

The clubhouse also has stunning views of the surrounding sea, with great food all year round. It is the perfect place to relax after a round and experience some of the finest Scottish hospitality. The pro shop staff are always friendly and as can be expected from golf’s home country, it stocks some fantastic gear.