Can visitors play the Royal Burgess?

Yes. Visitor tee times are usually available every day, except when Society competitions are on, and can be booked online or through the Professional's Shop.

Is the Royal Burgess the oldest golf club in the world?

The Society traces its origins to 1735 and describes itself as the oldest golf club in the world. The 1735 date first appears in the 1834 Edinburgh Almanac.

Can I hire clubs at the Royal Burgess?

Yes. Titleist, Ping and Callaway hire sets are available, along with buggies and electric and push trolleys.

How far is the Royal Burgess from Edinburgh city centre?

The course at Barnton is about six miles from the city centre and close to Edinburgh Airport.

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The Royal Burgess Golfing Society, Barnton

The Royal Burgess Golfing Society traces its origins to 1735 and calls itself the oldest golf club in the world. Its parkland course at Barnton, in west Edinburgh, is open to visitors on most days except during club competitions, and tee times can be booked online.

Photo: Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display cropped to fit

The course and its history

The Society played on Bruntsfield Links in its early years, then shared the nine-hole course at Musselburgh from 1874. It moved to Barnton, where the course opened on 3 May 1895. Willie Park Jr designed the original layout, and a former Open champion redesigned it in the 1920s. Tree-lined fairways, careful bunkering and quick greens reward accurate driving. The 4th, 7th and 17th are long, demanding par fours. The course hosted the Penfold-Swallow tournament in 1956 and 1959, the Pringle of Scotland Tournament in 1965 and 1966, and more recently the Scottish Boys' Stroke Play (2015) and Scottish Senior Men's Open Stroke Play (2017).

Booking and visitor practicalities

Visitor tee times are usually available every day except when Society competitions are being played. You can book and pay online, by phone through the Professional's Shop or in person on the day. Clubs, buggies, electric and pull trolleys can be hired, with Titleist, Ping and Callaway sets available. Check in at the Professional's Shop on arrival. Visitors get separate changing rooms, showers and lockers. The club also offers a 'Burgess Experience' package with a clubhouse tour and lunch in the dining room.

Getting there

Barnton is about six miles from the centre of Edinburgh and close to Edinburgh Airport. The late-Victorian Arts and Crafts clubhouse on Whitehouse Road houses a collection of historic trophies and artefacts.