Perhaps it should not come as a surprise that Longniddry’s character is so elusive to pin down. After all, it has been shaped at various times by several of the great names of design.
Harry Colt, James Braid, Philip Mackenzie Ross, and Donald Steel have all left their mark on this East Lothian club that dates back more than 100 years.
It is in many ways a rarity. There are lots of modern inland courses that claim to play like links. But when you did you last see a course at sea level and on the coast that is for the most part parkland in character?
Longniddry offers you exactly that, all while also giving you views across the Firth of Forth as well…
History
Longniddry Golf Club was formed in 1921, with the club having celebrated its centenary year just a few years ago.
It is reported that Mary Queen of Scots played golf at Longniddry (among other venues) in the mid-16th Century, but it would not be for another 350 years that the current club was founded.
The great Harry Colt was drafted in by the 11th Earl of Wemyss, who gave Colt 150 acres of his land to work with. The original 18-hole layout was opened in 1921.
Mary Queen of Scots is reported to have played golf in the Longniddry area around the mid-16th century, and, 350 years later, just after the First World War, the 11th Earl of Wemyss asked renowned golf architect Harry Colt to design an 18-hole course over 150 acres of his estate.
15 years after opening, James Braid was brought in to improve the course. During the Second World War, part of the course was ploughed up for food production, following which Philip Mackenzie Ross was invited to make good the damage. In 1945, the course was redesigned. Some of the changes were quite significant, with three holes by the sea being scrapped.
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Donald Steel has visited Longniddry in more recent years, with bunkering being the key part to his changes. Many of the cross-bunkers, which are part of the layout’s identity, were relocated.
What makes Longniddry Golf Club special?
Many of the trees that were cleared to create the course were in what was called Boglehill Wood, reportedly a site of worship for local witches and warlocks – now the location of the 6th and 10th greens.
Boglehill Wood might not sound familiar to golfers. However, many of the trees that were felled in order to create the course came from Boglehill Wood. This was reportedly a site for witches and warlocks in local history.
The layout now has several distinct parts to it, with links and parkland properties throughout a round, akin to Golspie in the Scottish Highlands.
Where does it rank?
101st in Scotland, 13th in East Lothian
Where is Longniddry Golf Club?
Longniddry Golf Club in on the eastern coastline of Scotland, in the region of East Lothian. It sits on the coastal side of the town of Longniddry, with many holes offering up views over Longniddry Bents, the Canty Burn and out to the North Sea. The city of Edinburgh is only 15 miles to the west of the golf club, while North Berwick is a similar distance to the east along the coast.
Longniddry has its own train station, which is just a 10-minute walk from the golf club. Trains run between Edinburgh and North Berwick via Longniddry on a regular basis. For international visitors to the region, Edinburgh Airport – the country’s biggest and busiest airport – is only 25 miles away from Longniddry around the City of Edinburgh Bypass.
Get in touch with Longniddry
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01875 852141.
You can play at Longniddry on the NCG Top 100s Tour in the 2026 season!
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- Book your spot to play at Longniddry on the NCG Top 100s Tour on April 1st, 2026 here.
- You can also play at Kilspindie and Gullane No.2 in our East Lothian Swing – check that out here.
Now have your say
Have you ever had the pleasure of playing at Longniddry? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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