Dunbar: An immensely entertaining yet decidedly challenging links

Despite being one of the sunniest towns on Scotland’s Golf Coast, it’s rarely calm with the prevailing wind behind you on the way out. This is what makes Dunbar Golf Club a special one.

Although a relatively short links course, Dunbar makes up for its humble 6,597 yards with the strong winds from the North Sea which makes a round of golf here thoroughly challenging, entertaining and a steep learning curve for most golfers.

And despite its lack of rough, you do need to keep your wits about you if you’re a fan of hitting the ball high – you’re almost bound to get a really wild one sailing over the wall that heads down the right side of the course on the way out or even in the water.

Not only is the course a blessing to play, but you’ll get a warm welcome at the friendly, old-school pro shop upon your arrival.

History

Dunbar really is steeped in history with almost 400 years of documented golf being played here.

It was formed as a rudimentary 15-hole course in 1856 before Old Tom Morris was called in to extend it to 18, with extra land acquired from the ancient deer park of Broxmouth estate to finish the course off.

James Braid and Ben Sayers were later called in to advise on bunkers, resulting in the installation of 61 new sand traps.

One of the game’s oldest recorded organisations, the Dunbar Golfing Society, played on the western side of the town in 1794.

In more recent times, the likes of Vijay Singh, Steve Elkington (an honorary member), Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia have competed in championships, qualifiers and exhibition matches.

Why it’s special

Laid out on a narrow strip of land, Dunbar’s ancient ruined castle stands guard over the town’s twin harbours. Its standout feature is on the long par-4 14th with views over Bass Rock which offers scenery of which most golfers can only dream.