Royal Burgess Golfing Society

Another year and another fortunate opportunity to have a golf trip in Scotland. This time starting Edinburgh following a friend’s bachelor party and leading up to another friend’s wedding in Dornoch. Royal Burgess, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, provided the perfect starting point for this trip. A parkland course that is steeped in tradition, the society of golfers at Royal Burgess date back as far as 1735 albeit not on these grounds. A par 70 stretching 5,600 meters it isn’t long but it’s tricky. The tightness of the fairways that bend and weave through the trees really challenges you, making you think about placement of shot rather than just getting up and hitting it. And to mention it is in very good condition, smooth, carpet-like fairways and nice soft greens make for good play. Once you’ve been greeted by the starter you set off with a par 4 that dog legs to the right. Watch out for the practice area on the left, speaking from experience! The second is a driveable par 4 before moving onto some longer tougher holes. The bunkering is one of the defining features of the course, the par 3 8th for example looks a relatively straightforward hole but a modest size green is surrounded by 4 bunkers allowing no room for error. The 11th is another interesting hole. The tee box sits on the hill but after a distance the fairway drops suddenly providing a blind tee shot. For the first timers you almost have no clue where to aim. The course continues to works its way over the gentle undulations of the area before returning to the stunning clubhouse. I love the tradition and the warm welcome received made it even more memorable, from the starter to the team in the pro shop, everyone ensured a great day was had.

This parkland course exudes 'history' dating back quiet a while with beautiful old-world club house. The course itself is tree lined and well manicured very pleasant on the eye. Some very strong par fours and two par fives. Pleasant to play while my partners struggled with the green reading this is because the course is not flat and the ball always travels with the pull of the topography which can vary hole by hole. The 10th hole has a white stone to indicate the line to a blind fairway, however play left of the stone to the chimney in the distance. Deserves the current ranking.

The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh's course is very well located for golfers arriving at the airport. It is only 10 minutes away. It is without doubt the best parkland course in Scotland's capital city. The whole course forms a compact unit. The high quality fairways are lined with mature trees that come out in all colours in the autumn sunshine. Some bunkers are reminiscent of links courses. The greens are in excellent condition.

After your game, be sure to take your time and enjoy a meal in the clubhouse restaurant. As an added bonus, you'll also have an exhibition of the club's trophies from nearly 300 years of existence. It's also worth a trip to the first floor terrace.

Giornata speciale per me, invitato da un gentilissimo member a giocare nel suo The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh… che solo il nome ti incute timore. In effetti ero molto emozionato nei saloni in mezzo a tanti cimeli di trecento anni di storia del golf. Il campo è giocato poco, quasi solo dai soci, e inoltre è tenuto in modo maniacale… tipo le forbici per regolare il ciglio del bunker. Inutile dire la bellezza delle piante e la scorrevolezza, non eccessiva, dei green. Insomma se vi invitano dite si!

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