Course: Gullane Golf Club, Gullane

With the mighty Muirfield, Kilspindie, Dunbar and North Berwick vying for attention in the same space, it is a big wonder the Gullane Golf Club manages to keep its own. Put it down to the club’s colorful history or its fairly tough layout, there are few people who can stop praising this 6,466 yards par 71 links course. Crafted mostly by Mother Nature and a probably, absent architect, golf at Gullane has been played since 1650. A superb example of linksland golf, The Gullane Golf Club started in 1859 and hosts the final qualifying match for the British Open when it is held at Muirfield. This distinction is bestowed upon Gullane for its exquisite turf, a great collection of tough holes and its captivating scenic beauty. Carved out of the southern shores of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian, Gullane offers distracting views of the Lammermuir Hills and the Firth. The layout at Gullane is devoid of trees or water hazards but is still very challenging. Its hardiness comes from the gorse-filled terrain; swift, smarting winds; tight fairways, strategically placed bunkers and well protected, fast greens. The 7th hole on top of the Gullane Hill is widely regarded as its signature hole and has been described by Bernard Darwin as “one of the best views in golf”. The front nine at Gullane is an uphill task, literally, starting from the initial hole called the ‘First’. ‘Windygate’ comes next, right before the ‘Racecourse’ till you reach the celebrated 7th on top of the hill. The back nine requires even more precision as it runs downhill all the way to the finishing hole. The No.1 Course at Gullane is by all standards a great round of golf and must be experienced at least once.