Where The Turf Meets The Turf: Musselburgh Golf & Racing

As we wrap up the year I got around to reviewing my photos and footage from a fantastic day of golf and racing at the world's oldest continuously played links. Even though it only takes 90 minutes or so to play, it's amazing how many folks drive by the course on the way to the more famous layouts. So with that in mind, I highly recommend a round at Musselburgh (especially with the hickories for hire).

Guinness World Records has certified Musselburgh Links, "The Oldest Golf Course in the World” and the course website has an excellent history page.

And while the history and influence of Musselburgh is pretty staggering, the course retains enough architectural charm to be a model for any community. Throw in the impressive racing facility that hosts 30 or so race dates a year--including a July 23rd date two days after the 2013 Open Championship just up the road at Muirfield--and I can safely say this is one of my favorite places in the game.

With that in mind, here's short video from my day there last summer. This is the YouTube link, where you can watch in 720p HD by changing the quality setting. Or the embed:

Comments

[Ivan Morris]

Correct - Musselburgh is a model for any community. Is that why it has lasted so long? Who needs multi-million dollar clubhouses and extravagantly designed courses. Golf is only hitting a ball around a field!

[Chris]

Would love to watch the video, but it is set to "private user".

[KLG]

Chris: click on the YouTube Link in the last paragraph.

What Ivan said. Looks like great fun! Yearly membership of less than $200, too.

[John Morris]

Great video Geoff, Particularly liked the little girl in pink playing with her Dad (?) You see that a lot in Scotland particularly entire families on putting courses and pitch and put. Had to watch it on Youtube as it was private on your site. No big deal
Many thanks
John

[Ivan Morris]

4 comments on this posting so far, two by Morrises and 44 on the next one about stupid rankings says it all about the modern golfer's sad attitude to the Royal & Ancient game.

[Mike Stevens]

This is truly one of my favorite golf courses to play when in Edinburgh. Hickories is the best way to enjoy it. My favorite hole is number 6.

[Chris]

Got it. Great video - would live to play the course one morning and watch the afternoon races.

[Pasaplayer]

John Morris' post reminded me of me last round at North Berwick when the foursome behind us included three generations of he same golfing family. And they played a beautiful round!

[mel]

Happy New Year Geoff and thank you again for the great golf blog. Cheers!

[JerryG]

Thanks for this post, Geoff. It reminds me of playing the golf course in Indianapolis that had a couple holes within the speedway. This was back in the early 60's and i wonder if that course is still there. It was great fun at the time.

[Rob]

I think Royal Durban (not the more well-known Durban CC) is also in the middle of a horse race track.

On the topic of squeezing golf courses into a property, at the old Bangkok airport there was a full length 18 hole course between the two main runways and carts would have to cross one of the taxiways at some point during the round. It was always a thrill to see people playing golf out the window just after landing.

Now, all the flights into Bangkok arrive at a new built airport that opened about five years ago or so.

[FWIW]

Well done, Geoff.