Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh

The best golf courses in and around Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city.

What are the best golf courses in Edinburgh? The Golf World Top 100 panel chooses the top layouts in Scotland’s capital city.

When it comes to golf courses there is quality and quantity in and around Scotland’s vibrant capital.

Edinburgh and its surrounds have a wealth of parklands, led by a handful of established Scottish Top 100 entries. The depth of Edinburgh’s portfolio makes it arguably Britain’s No.1 city for golf.

How did we choose the best golf courses in Edinburgh?

Top 100 editor (and Scotsman) Chris Bertram was joined by the Scottish panel of Mike Bailey, Stuart Bendoris, David Jones, Alan McPherson, Douglas Mill, Darius Oliver, Susie Robertson and Neal Stewart to provide the framework for the regional rankings. McPherson, Robertson and Stewart have played every course in Scotland, Mill is a handful short, and their knowledge in every area was naturally priceless.

In addition, we had local experts in every area, namely: Ayrshire – Mill; D&G – Bertram & Derek Heron; Glasgow – Stewart & David Walker; Edinburgh & East Lothian – Bendoris; Fife – David Scott; Aberdeenshire – Justin Grant; Perthshire – Ally Philp; Argyll & Islands – Jim Hartsell; Highlands – Murray Urquhart.

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Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh

1. Royal Burgess

Home of the oldest golf society in the world, dating back to 1735, a venerable West Edinburgh institution and an always pristine parkland.

2. Bruntsfield Links 

Extensive improvements by Tom Mackenzie have enhanced this adventurous parkland, home to the fourth-oldest club in the world.

3. Dalmahoy (East) 

The word ‘beast’ might be an apt description for this lengthy Championship-calibre course that forces you to use every club.

4. Mortonhall

Looping around the edges of the Braid Hills, the greens are among the quickest in the Lothians during the height of summer.

5. Duddingston

It’s hard to believe this tranquil setting in East Edinburgh is so close to the hustle and bustle of Princes Street.

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6. Murrayfield

Clever green complexes on a rolling, elevated parkland with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

7. Braid Hills (No.1)

Overlooking the city, one of Scotland’s finest municipals. It’s home to the famous Dispatch Trophy – and plenty of gorse.

8. Ratho Park

Short but strategic, veer just slightly off course and trees large and small will inevitably thwart you.

9. Kingsknowe

Risk and reward driveable par fours are a big feature here. 

10. Baberton

Peaceful course on the fringes of Edinburgh and Midlothian that hits highs after a modest start.

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11. Dalmahoy (West)

Much shorter than the East, but much tighter too. Accuracy is key.

12. Craigmillar Park

Changes in elevation are a constant feature on  a course with breathtaking views of the capital.

13. Turnhouse

Two very different nines on this popular course, both fun in their different ways.

14. Prestonfield

Pleasant parkland in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and the Old Town skyline.

15. Broomieknowe

Requires shot shaping both ways on this historic, fast-draining parkland.

16. Newbattle

Lovely course with fast, true greens.

17. Bathgate

Flat, tree-lined James Braid-designed parkland that is home to three Ryder Cup players.

18. Liberton

Shortish parkland but the small greens make scoring far from easy.

19. Kings Acre

Has an interesting routing near the outskirts of Edinburgh. The par-5 15th divides opinion but is hard to forget.

20. Pumpherston

A course of two halves, the longer back nine is the more interesting. Trees, water and dog-legs its defence.

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Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh: The Next 15

21. Kingsfield
22. Deer Park
23. Glencorse
24. Swanston
25. Linlithgow
26. Uphall
27. Greenburn
28. Merchants of Edinburgh
29. Harburn
30. Silverknowes
31. Gogarburn
32. Carrick Knowe
33. Craigentinny
34. West Lothian
35. Oatridge

Agree or disagree with our list of best golf courses in Aberdeenshire? Get in touch

As always, we welcome your feedback on all of our rankings and know that everyone will have an opinion on their favourites. We’d love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG before joining Golf World and Today’s Golfer as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.

You can follow Chris on Twitter, or send him an email.