Welcome
Instituted in 1735, The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh is not only regarded as the world's oldest golfing society but also one of golf's most prestigious clubs.
Named for its original members - a 'burgess' being a freeman of the Burgh - the society first played on the common lands of the Bruntsfield Links, before moving to Musselburgh in 1874. Just a few years later, in 1894, they moved on once more, finding a more permanent home in Barnton, a few miles to the west of Edinburgh's city centre, where the society can be found today.
A course of this quality has always attracted some famous admirers, including a few regal players. In the 1920s, the course was a favourite of two princes who would both become kings, the Prince of Wales and his brother the Duke of York, with the former a Burgess Golfing Society captain.
Course guide
1
Pro's tip: A challenging opening hole which will focus the mind as you step on the tee, but an accurate drive will be rewarded. The tee shot should favour the left half of the fairway to give the best approach to the green. Study the yardage for the second shot carefully as the cross bunker foreshortens the distance to this long, well bunkered green.
2
Pro's tip: An excellent short but tricky par 4. A drive through an avenue of trees has to avoid the bunker on the left and longer hitters must be aware of the ditch running across the fairway. The two-tier green sits at an angle and is best approached from the left. A second shot played to the correct level on the green will give you a birdie chance.
3
Pro's tip: A tight driving hole with out of bounds down the right side, and long hitters may want to play short of the cross bunkers down the left. From the fairway there is a chance of hitting this long, narrow green. Judge your yardage to the green accurately as the bunker short and left foreshortens the second shot.
4
Pro's tip: My favourite and a very demanding hole which would enhance any course. An accurate tee shot is key and must avoid the three bunkers on the left if there is to be any chance of reaching the green. The tall trees short of the green make the approach very narrow. The green is long and the severe slope from back to front can leave a very fast putt if above the hole. Four is a good score here!
6
Pro's tip: This relatively short par 5 can be reached in two shots. Fairway bunkers must be avoided down this tree-lined hole. Those playing the 6th as a three shot hole should play short of the cross bunkers. The large green slopes front to back and left to right. There is definitely a birdie opportunity here.
7
Pro's tip: A stunning par 4 which provides a tough examination. The best line to the green requires a long drive that carries the fairway bunker. Otherwise play left, although be aware that a tee shot that is long and left will be blocked out by large trees. Avoid the green-side bunkers and you will find a tricky, undulating green.
9
Pro's tip: An accurate tee shot down the left hand side will kick to the right on this sloping fairway and will avoid the well placed bunker on the right. With bunkers right and left of this green, and severe slopes long and to the right, an accurate approach shot is key to making par at this hole. From the tee look right to see where the pin is located on the 10th!
10
Pro's tip: An outstanding par 4 starts the homeward nine. The tee shot at this uphill, dog-leg hole must avoid the bunkers left and the copse of trees on the right. While one option is to leave your tee shot short of the bunkers, long hitters may attempt to carry the trees at the corner. The green is long and narrow and the approach often requires one more club than the distance suggests.
11
Pro's tip: Possibly the most picturesque hole on the course, the 11th demonstrates that great golf holes are not always the longest. Use the marker as your aiming point and avoid drifting right, where you will be blocked out by tall trees. The longer hitters should leave the driver in the bag as the ditch may be reached. An errant approach shot is likely to find sand or kick off the slopes at the side of the green, leaving a tough up and down.
12
Pro's tip: A short par 4 where an accurate tee shot will set up an excellent birdie opportunity. Keeping the tee shot as close to the fairway bunkers as possible will open up the green for the second shot. This green slopes from back left to front right and keeping the ball below the hole will give an easier putt.
13
Pro's tip: My favourite par 3 on the course demands a well struck tee shot. Bunkers short and right are likely to catch a miss-hit. If you miss the green to the right or left, catching the bunkers will probably leave an easier recovery option than anything that is further wide of the target. The front left portion of the green is the safe play.
14
Pro's tip: A sweeping dog-leg from right to left requires a drive to the corner avoiding the fairway bunker to leave a view of the green. Ensure you take enough club as the uphill approach can catch you out and anything landing on the front upslope may run back off the green. Another sharply sloping green leaves a tough up and down or two putt for those going long.
15
Pro's tip: This majestic dog-leg par 4 provides arguably the most challenging tee shot on the course. The drive should use the fairway bunkers as the line, playing short or with a slight fade, although longer hitters may choose to hit over the large tree at the corner of the dog-leg on the right. Finding the fairway allows an approach to a relatively flat green. Once again, however, the punishment for missing is severe.
16
Pro's tip: A genuine par 5 requiring thought as well as skill. The bunkers from the tee must be avoided to set up a good birdie opportunity. Playing this hole as a three shot hole is your best chance of walking off satisfied. The second shot should be laid up short left of the second set of bunkers, leaving a third to a long right to left sloping green. Five is good, but there's always the chance of a four.
17
Pro's tip: A fabulous hole with no room for error. A tee shot down the left is ideal as the fairway slopes from left to right and towards the fairway bunker. It requires two good shots to reach this hole so accuracy is essential. Aim towards the left half of the large green which slopes from left to right. if the green is out of reach in two, leave your second short of the encroaching cross bunkers. A four is always welcome at 17.
18
Pro's tip: The best short par 4 match-play closing hole in golf? This is a drivable but dangerous hole that has ruined many a card. There is a ditch to be carried, trees on the left and out of bounds only three paces off the green to the right. The safe play is laying up, but you didn't come here to play safe! It's the last hole and your friends are watching. A birdie or even an eagle would be a great way to finish.