Longniddry Golf Club

Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots played golf in the Longniddry area in the mid-16th century, although it wasn’t until just after World War One that Harry Colt was brought in to design an 18-hole course. There have been many changes since with James Braid in 1936 and Philip Mackenzie Ross in 1945, and Donald Steel more recently.

Located just 35 minutes east of Edinburgh on East Lothian’s coast, Longniddry is a hidden gem that ranks inside Scotland’s top 100 courses.

Longniddry Golf Course overview

A par-68 measuring 6260 yards off the back tees, Longniddry is a shorter course but has a unique design that combines woodlands with links. There are no par-5s, however, with eight par-4s that are over 400 yards long, the course plays longer than the indicated yardage due to the hilly terrain, strategically placed bunkers and mature pine trees.

There is also plenty of gorse and rough that punishes any wayward shots, which can be commonplace when playing into the prevailing wind. The fairways are generous and the greens large, so you will be rewarded if you plot your way around carefully.

Signature Holes

The 314-yard par-4 5th hole called ‘Cadell’s Neuk’ is a great risk/reward hole for big hitters. Accuracy is required (as well as length) off the tee, otherwise, your approach will be difficult. Offline left there are bunkers, trees and thick rough, whilst missing the fairway right leaves you with a fearsome chip to a two-tiered elevated green.