Longniddry Golf Club is a 1921 Harry Colt design on the East Lothian coastline, 22km (14 miles) east of Edinburgh, and one of the few Scottish layouts that blends true links ground with heathland-style terrain on the same round. If you are building an East Lothian itinerary around Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick, Longniddry is the value pick that justifies a half-day detour.
Longniddry Golf Club
Longniddry Golf Club is a 1921 Harry Colt design on the East Lothian coastline, 22km (14 miles) east of Edinburgh, and one of the few Scottish layouts that blends true links ground with heathland-style terrain on the same round. If you are building an East Lothian itinerary around Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick, Longniddry is the value pick that justifies a half-day detour.
You play a Colt routing that opens with sea views over the Firth of Forth, drops into wooded inland holes, then returns to exposed coastal turf for the closing stretch. There is no par five on the scorecard, which is rare in Scotland and forces a different rhythm than the surrounding heavyweight links. The clubhouse dates from the club's foundation in 1921, and the course has been refined over the decades without losing Colt's original green sites.
From the visitor tees Longniddry measures around 6,260 yards to a par of 68, so length is not the defence; angles, wind off the Forth, and tight tree lines on the inland holes do the work. The opening holes run along higher ground with the water and Fife coastline in view, before the routing dives into a wooded middle section that feels closer to heathland than seaside. By the 14th you are back out on open links land, with the closing holes exposed to whatever the Forth is sending in. Harry Colt's fingerprints show in the green complexes and the way each hole asks a different question off the tee. The par threes are the variety set piece: short, mid and long irons all required, played in different directions to spread the wind. Without a par five to chase, scoring comes from holing putts on Colt's subtle greens and avoiding the gorse and woodland that swallow loose drives. The club has a strong amateur tradition and has produced internationalists over the years, which tells you the test holds up for low handicaps even at sub-6,300 yards. For a travelling golfer used to American-length layouts, treat it as a thinking round between bigger-name links rather than a slugfest.
Within 30km you have the densest cluster of quality links in Scotland. Kilspindie Golf Club is 6km east, Craigielaw Golf Club is 5km along the coast, and the Gullane Golf Club courses (No. 1, 2 and 3) sit 10km away. Muirfield is 12km east, with North Berwick West Links 20km along the same coast road. A three-day East Lothian trip works neatly: Longniddry and Craigielaw on day one, Gullane No. 1 and Muirfield on day two, North Berwick and a links of your choice on day three. Edinburgh's parkland and the Renaissance Club at 15km add further options within an hour's drive
Edinburgh Airport sits 30km (19 miles) west, around 35 minutes by car via the A1 and A199. The club is signposted off the A198 coastal road, with parking at the clubhouse. Longniddry railway station is a short walk from the first tee, with direct trains from Edinburgh Waverley taking around 20 minutes, useful if you are basing yourself in the city
May to September gives the firmest turf and longest daylight, with June and July offering rounds well into the evening. Spring winds off the Forth can be punishing, and winter play is possible but exposed. Book midweek to avoid member competitions at weekends.
If you are already heading to East Lothian for Muirfield or Gullane, Longniddry at 6,260 yards and par 68 is the smart supporting act, a genuine Harry Colt design with sea views and no par fives to pad the card. It will not headline your trip, but it sharpens your iron play before the bigger names and the rail link from Edinburgh makes it logistically easy to slot in. Longniddry Golf Club | Review & Golf Trip Planning Longniddry Golf Club review: a 1921 Harry Colt design on East Lothian's coast, mixing links and parkland over 6,260 yards. Plan your East Lothian golf trip. Longniddry Golf Club sits on the East Lothian coast 22km east of Edinburgh, a Harry Colt design from 1921 that mixes links turf with woodland over 6,260 yards. Firth of Forth views, firm fairways and a club steeped in history make it a sharp addition to any Scottish golf holiday.
Golf Lessons Available
Group Clinics
Short game practice area
Golf equipment/accessories for purchase
Restaurant / Grill
Locker Rooms with Showers
Golf Cart Rental
Pro Shop
Parking
Overall rating
3.5
Overall rating
3.5
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