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The Royal Burgess Golfing Society

The Royal Burgess Golfing Society

Willie Park Jnr's Barnton parkland rewards accuracy through mature tree-lined fairways.

  • EDINBURGH Location
  • PARKLAND Course type
  • 18 Holes
  • 71 Par

Beyond the Scorecard

  • Course established: 1895
  • Course designer/s: Willie Park Jnr; James Braid (1920s redesign)
  • National ranking: #22
  • Known for: Long par fours through Barnton's mature trees
  • Defining feature: Stone bridge crossing the eleventh-hole cundie

Park and Braid at Barnton

The golf course at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society formally opened at Barnton in 1895. Old Tom Morris inspected the ground, but Willie Park Jnr was given the design. James Braid later reshaped the course in the 1920s, lengthening fairways and strengthening the bunkering as the layout matured.

The course sits in established parkland west of central Edinburgh, with tree-lined fairways and well-guarded greens setting a very different test from the exposed links farther along the coast. Several long par fours place a premium on accurate driving, particularly the 4th, 7th, and 17th.

The 11th is one of the most distinctive holes, a downhill dogleg played across an open cundie crossed by a stone bridge. The course has also staged notable championship golf. In 1956, the Penfold-Swallow brought leading professionals and television cameras to Edinburgh, with a 20-year-old Gary Player making his first Scottish appearance. Later events included the Pringle of Scotland Tournament and the Scottish Professional Championship.

Why Add This Course to Your Golf Experience

The Royal Burgess gives an Edinburgh stay a strong parkland counterpoint to East Lothian's coastal links. Its Barnton location is less than five miles from both central Edinburgh and the airport, making it practical for an arrival or departure-day round.

Kinfern can pair it with Bruntsfield Links or another city-based course, or use it between coastal golf days. The historic clubhouse also adds depth to the visit, with displays of trophies and golfing artefacts reflecting the Society's long history.

Begin Your Journey

Speak with our golf travel specialists and start planning your next championship experience.

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