Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

A view across the 7th hole at Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course towards Edinburgh

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By Fergus Bisset

published 29 March 2023

Gullane Golf Club No.1 Key Information

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Row 0 - Cell 0	Row 0 - Cell 1
Address	West Links Road, Gullane, East Lothian, EH31 2BB
Phone Number	01620 842 255
Website	https://www.gullanegolfclub.co.uk
Email	info@gullanegolfclub.com
Green Fees	£210 - £265
Visitor Times	None specific, contact club for availability
Par	71
Slope Rating	127 (Blue), 126 (White), 122 (Yellow), 131 (Women's Red)
Opened	1884
Designed by	Unknown

Golf Monthly Verdict

Interesting and unusual links played over a hill with excellent greens. Gullane is unfussy - a course well-guarded by wind, bunkers and long rough. The green sites are thought-provoking with run-offs and pot bunkers catching errant approaches. The flow of holes offers superb variety with the best over Gullane Hill and along the coastal stretch.

REASONS TO PLAY GULLANE GOLF CLUB NO.1 COURSE

– Stunning views across the Firth of Forth and along the coast towards Aberlady

– Historic links land where golf has been played for 100s of years

– Follow in footsteps of recent Scottish Open winners

RANKINGS

UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 64

The visitor experience at Gullane has been enhanced with the development of the practice facilities and the improved clubhouse is a further improvement for the customer journey.

Completed in 1884, the No. 1 course was the first of three 18-hole layouts to be built at Gullane. It’s unknown who was responsible for its design, but there is no doubting that it is one of the best golf courses in East Lothian.

With stunning views along the Lothian coast and out over the Firth of Forth, this is a superb links full of character.

In 2015 Gullane played host to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, won by Rickie Fowler. In 2018 the club hosted the Ladies Scottish Open won by Ariya Jutanugarn and the Scottish Open won by Brandon Stone.

In addition, other than hosting Final Qualifying when the Open has been at Muirfield, Gullane No. 1 has been a regular venue for significant amateur competitions.

The Scottish Amateur Championship, the Jacques L’Eglise Trophy, the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship and the British Boys Championship are among the most notable.

The course begins on the very edge of the town of Gullane before forging uphill towards the high point at the 6th and 7th holes where the views down to Aberlady Bay are spellbinding.

The wind plays its part in any round here, particularly up on the plateau. The greens at Gullane are as good as you will find on a Scottish links.

Gullane is unusual in that it’s a true links, running around and over a hill. On paper it appears it might be quirky, but this could not be further from the truth as the feature delivers tremendous character.

Towards the end of the round, the 17th and 18th holes take the golfer back down towards the great golfing town of Gullane.

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Richard Healy

I enjoyed the test and contrast of the front 9 par 3s, the shorter with 2 bunkers and steep run offs compared to the longer with a ring of 8 bunkers, both a very stern test.

Stretching over a high ridge that dominates the area, the course is well defined, offering panoramic views and exploiting the contours, elevation changes, flora and cliff edges on what is a natural, sympathetic layout. Various high points reveal different outlooks, Edinburgh and the Castle in the distance, the estuary full of birds at Aberlady and the competition tee on 12 gives a glimpse of neighbouring Muirfield and Renaissance, as well as the village of Gullane.

Tim Gorman

As a recent venue for Scottish Open and frequently used for Open qualifying, this is a solid test of technique. The main defences are the bunkers, the rough and weather. Classic links turf, this is a course that holds up well all year round. There are tremendous views from several parts of the course. It's a classic, quality links with no trickery or frills.

Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course Location

Gullane Golf Club No.1 Green Fees

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1st May - 31st Sep Weekday round	£210
1st May - 31st Sep Weekday day	£265
1st May - 31st Sep Weekend round	£250

Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course scorecard

Best Courses Near To Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course

Places to stay near Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course

Greywalls Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
The ultimate in convenience for Muirfield, the elegant, Edwardian Greywalls hotel sits right on the edge of the course. With views across to the Firth of Forth, it's a luxurious hotel and the onsite Chez Roux restaurant provides excellent cuisine.

The Bonnie Badger - Book now at Booking.com
Set on the main street in Gullane, the Bonnie Badger is a characterful but classy hotel offering very comfortable accommodation plus an excellent bar and restaurant. It's walking distance from both Muirfield and Gullane.

Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course Gallery

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Gullane Golf Club No.1 Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

2023/24 - 64
2021/22 - 61
2019/20 - 61
2017/18 - 63
2015/16 - 68
2013/14 - 72
2011/12 - 76
2009/10 - 79

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Juniors Get A Discount At Gullane Golf Club No.1 Course?

Juniors who are under 18 at the time of play receive a reduced green fee of 50% discount off the full rate (not seasonal offers.)

How many courses are there at Gullane?

There are three courses at Gullane Golf Club - No.1, No.2 and No.3 ... Luffness Golf Club is just next door and Muirfield, Archerfield and Renaissance are all just on the edge of Gullane.

Does Gullane Golf Club have a dress code?

Guidance on the club website about clothing reads as follows: "Golfing attire is required for all players. Denim jeans, t-shirts, cargo or combat trousers/shorts, tracksuits, rugby and football shirts are not permitted on the course or in the clubhouse at any time. Tailored shorts are allowed on the course and in the Clubhouse. Flip-flops, and sandals without socks are not allowed Clothing that may have endured the rigours of golfing for example wet or muddy garments must be changed out of before entering any lounge, bar or dining areas. Coats and other outdoor clothing should be left in changing rooms. Hats should be removed in the Clubhouse."

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?