Recorded evidence of Burgess golfers playing over the 6-hole Bruntsfield Links near Edinburgh Castle was first published in 1735, making them the world’s oldest recognized golf club with a continuous history.

Because of the short playing season at the old Bruntsfield course, the society moved to Musselburgh in 1874 where they could play all year round on the 9-hole Old Course with members of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society and Royal Musselburgh Golf Club.  

Not surprisingly, this arrangement did not last long due to the congestion on the course and one by one, they all moved on to pastures new – HCEG to Muirfield in 1891, Burgess and Bruntsfield to Barnton in 1895 and 1897, Royal Musselburgh to Prestonpans in 1925.

Many of the golfing greats have left their mark on the Barnton course over the years. Right from the beginning, Tom Morris gave his approval for the site selected to the north west of Edinburgh, giving his opinion that “the turf was so good that there would be no need to lay greens.” Willie Park Jnr is credited with early architectural influence and James Braid with restoration work after the Second World War. As if any further input were needed, Harry Colt and Philip Mackenzie Ross have also contributed over time to the design of the course.

Barnton is one of the premier parkland courses in Scotland, maintained to a very high standard. The club takes great pride in the presentation of the course and visitors can always expect an enjoyable round of golf played on lush and manicured fairways so close to Edinburgh city centre.

Many consider the signature hole to be the longest par four on the course, the 465-yard 4th hole. The tee shot must avoid bunkers down the left and out of bounds down the right. The approach to the hole has the protection of tall trees on either side of a fairway that narrows as it reaches the green – not many golfers will have the luxury of two putts for par on this hole!

Known as the Royal Burgess Golf Society of Edinburgh since 1929, the club proudly takes their role in the history and tradition of golf very seriously and displays of golfing memorabilia in their grand old clubhouse are well worth a view after a round on the course.