The Course
Longniddry Golf Course is a unique combination of woodland and links located on the south side of Firth of Forth. There are no (men's) par 5s although some of the par 4s are very testing, particularly into the prevailing westerly winds; this is reflected by the SSS of 70 - 2 shots above the par of 68.
The course is not long by modern standards, but it is designed to reward the strategic player. The fairways are quite generous and the greens are fairly large, but the penalty for straying off-line can be severe. You will find mature Scots Pines, gorse, sea-buckthorn and punitive rough only too eager to punish the wayward drive. Hit it long, certainly, but you'd better be straight!
The opening holes are relatively straightforward and open to the winds of the estuary. From the 3rd green to the 11th tee there is considerable shelter in amongst the trees, but thereafter the course opens out once more.
There are many good holes at Longniddry, both as a test of golf and of natural beauty. They include the 450 yard 3rd, which is right on the limit for a par 4; the 305 yard dogleg 5th, with a two-tier elevated green; the 6th, with a shot of 160 yards downhill to the heavily bunkered green and the long 7th. The closing six holes are equally challenging, particularly the dogleg 12th, the par 3 13th and the finishing hole of 418 yards, where par is always welcome.
The Club is a former venue of the British Seniors and a qualifier for the Open at Muirfield. More recently the Club has hosted the Ladies Home Internationals and the Commonwealth Youths Tournament. It is a regional qualifier for the The Daily Telegraph / Wilson and Help the Aged as well as a number of other competitions.
This area of East Lothian area enjoys a relatively dry climate, with an average long-term rainfall of 14". The course is very free draining and rarely suffers from the indignity of closure, even during the winter. The greens in recent years have been fast and true, (stimpmeter 8.5 - 9.5) and the course itself is invariably in excellent condition.
We hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do.