Formed in 1921, Longniddry Golf Club is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, 18 miles east of Edinburgh.

The course is a pleasant combination of woodland and links, with many holes featuring tree-lined fairways whilst the dry, sandy soil gives them a links consistency.

The laying out of the course was entrusted to Harry S Colt, one of the foremost architects of the day who was responsible for the design of numerous courses. There have been a number of alterations to Harry Colt's original layout e.g in 1936 James Braid was invited to advise on the second hole, following which a number of changes were made to the course, although none, it would appear, to the second! During the war, part of the course was ploughed up for food production, following which Philip Mackenzie Ross was invited to make good the damage and some of the changes were quite significant, with two holes by the sea being scrapped. More recently, Donald Steele was engaged to advise on the course architecture, particularly the bunkering.

Luffness New Golf Club was established in l894 when its course was designed by Old Tom Morris. A challenging traditional links course, recently lengthened and with a second par 5 hole introduced, is a host for qualifying rounds of the Open Championship. However the main purpose of the Club remains to serve the needs of its members and visitors. Not for them the island greens surrounded by water, lakes on every hole or a succession of problems far beyond the average player. The course can be hard - mighty hard - when the wind blows down the Forth and the rough is thick enough to whet the whistle of a hungry herd. There are distinctive bunkers too but, like all great courses, Luffness rewards the virtues.

The fairways are beautifully kept, and the golfer who can keep the ball down the middle will find little to worry him, but there is plenty of trouble in store for the wanderers. The bunkers are placed fairly to punish the errant shot and furthermore they are constructed to penalise severely those who cannot get the ball in the air. The course measures 6328 yds, Par 70, SS 71, a reasonable figure on a calm day, but very tight if even a slight wind blowing.

On Scotland's coasts wind can be an incalculable hazard, and the caddies have been heard to say "It will take you three to be up there in two today, Sir" - the second, ninth, and eighteenth fall into this category. The long fourth hole (531 yards) is a very good hole of its type with a deceptive hollow in front of the green calling for a well judged approach. The eighth and twelfth holes also merit a special word of praise for their attractive layout from the tee. The fourth and twelfth greens are situated close to the clubhouse; members are thus able to play a number of permutations without having to walk back from the country.

Muirfield, venue for the 2002 Open Championship, is simply one of the best courses in the world. The home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, it was designed in 1891 by Old Tom Morris and, including 2002, has hosted 15 Open Championships since 1892, the Amateur Championship on numerous occasions, the Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups. From the championship tees, the course stretches to a formidable 6,970 yards and still adds up to a par-70 6,601 yards off the medal tees. Although the thick rough and cavernous bunkers, of which there are 151, can make it a very severe test, it is a course which invokes respect from all who have tangled with it. Henry Cotton called it ‘cruelly fair'. Tom Watson said there was ‘not a weak hole on the course'. Jack Nicklaus, who won in 1966, was so taken with this links in the lee of Gullane Hill, almost 20 miles from Edinburgh, he named his golf complex in Ohio, Muirfield Village, after it.

This parkland golf course was designed by the renowned Scottish golf architect James Braid. From some holes you will enjoy views towards Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat.

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club was established in 1774 and members played originally on the old Musselburgh links. The Old Links are now in the middle of the town's horse racing course.

The current golf course is mildly undulating parkland through distinctive avenues of mature trees. The golfing challenge comes on the homeward stretch where a series of par 4s are well protected by trees. One of the most interesting holes is the 14th, 'The Gully', a par 3 where, if you play short, you will encounter a 50-60 foot drop ahead of the green.

The club has the oldest golf trophy still played for competitively anywhere in the world, dating back to 1773. The castellated clubhouse in part dates back to the 12th century and has an interesting collection of golfing memorabilia.

Website - royalmusselburgh.co