Musselburgh Links, The Old Course: review

There is so much more to Musselburgh Links, The Old Course than the course itself, but this little nine-holer just east of Edinburgh is still well worth playing.

I received a warm welcome from all involved with the club, but was surprised that there weren’t more people out enjoying the oldest course in the world with me.

The course itself is made up of a nine-hole loop largely contained inside Musselburgh racecourse, although it does pass through the rail at either end.

The 1st hole is a 240-yard par-3 onto a slightly raised green, so make sure you take enough club. The tee is right outside the clubhouse meaning you play over the racetrack, just needing to avoid the bunker on the front left edge of the green.

The next two holes are both par-4s about 350 yards in length playing down the far side of the racetrack. The 2nd is fairly straightforward, although there is a bit more of a challenge presented at the 3rd, where anything right off the tee will end up the wrong side of the rail, while the fairway bunkers or gorse bushes down the left will swallow anything wayward.

The par-4 4th hole takes you back outside the racetrack with Mrs Forman’s pub bordering the back edge of the green. At 431 yards it is one of the few longer holes on the course, and the slight dogleg right behind the back straight of the racetrack requires an accurate tee shot down the left side of the fairway to leave a good angle into the sloping green, knowing you’re just one good putt away from a well deserved pit-stop inside Mrs Forman’s.

The 5th is the second par-3 that, although only 183 yards long, requires a straight tee shot due to the seven bunkers that encircle the green.

Next you will play back into the middle of the racetrack on the 326-yard 6th hole. Thick gorse down the right side of the fairway must be avoided, while there are two fairway bunkers about 210 yards from the tee as well as a large hollow that will collect anything finishing around 100 yards short of the green.

The 7th is the first and only par-5 Musselburgh has to offer, but it is unsurprisingly not the longest at 479 yards off the back tees. However, there are three fairway bunkers to be negotiated from the tee, although the longer hitters might be able to take them out of the equation with a carry of around 240-250 yards. And providing you can avoid the large bunker in the middle of the fairway 100 yards short of one of the flattest greens on the course then you should leave yourself at least a birdie opportunity.

The 8th is the last of the par-3s, and it’s probably the hardest of the lot. It is uphill and 240 yards long, and usually plays into the wind. There is also thick rough and gorse surrounding the green, ready to punish anything that fails to find the short stuff.

The final hole is a 350-yard par-4 that is littered with bunkers, particularly down the left side of the fairway. Long hitters could carry the right-to-left dogleg and cut out the trouble, but putting a ball in play down the right side of the fairway will be the sensible option for most. From there, one good wedge approach shot should set up a birdie chance, so long as the large bunkers short and right of the green are negotiated.

Considering golf is first thought to have been played here in 1567 and that the current course has not been altered a great deal since it was finalised in 1870, I think most will be pleasantly surprised by the quality on offer. And at 2954 yards for nine holes, it is not quite as short as many expect, with the tricky par-3s compensating for some of the shorter par-4s. Not many will choose to visit Musselburgh’s Old Course on the strength of the golfing test alone given the competition it faces in the surrounding area, but those that do visit will not be disappointed by what it has to offer. It is also great value for money, with adult green fees priced at £13 on weekdays and £14 for weekend play. There are even cheaper rates for under-18s and over-60s, and hickory clubs can be rented for £32.50 for those wishing to face the challenges the course was designed to provide.