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Dunbar, Scotland |
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Dunbar Golf Club
East Links
Dunbar
East Lothian
EH42 1LL
Scotland |  | Old Tom Morris |  | Jacky Montgomery |
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 | +44 (0) 1368 862317 |  | 0.5 mile E of Dunbar |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Not before 9.30am - contact in advance |  | John Barber |
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The North Sea coastal town of Dunbar is steeped in history, its ancient ruined castle stands guard over the town’s twin harbours. Golf has been played in and around Dunbar since the early part of the 17th century, but the Dunbar Golf Club wasn’t formed until 1856 when a rudimentary fifteen-hole course was laid out and the course was later extended to eighteen holes. In 1894, Old Tom Morris was called in to alter and to further extend the course. Extra land, part of the ancient deer park of Broxmouth estate was acquired at the turn of the 20th century and four new holes were built.
The course is laid out on a narrow strip of land with the best holes hugging the rocky coastline affording resplendent views across the North Sea to Bass Rock, a huge volcanic lump rising up out of the water.
The first two holes at Dunbar play up and down the old deer park and they are flat, ordinary and park-like. The 2nd green was once a shelter where the deer were fed. The 3rd has an interesting story to tell, a par three called “Jackson’s Pennies”. Mr Jackson was a retired local businessman and in the 1920s he used to sit behind the green and award a penny, a king’s ransom in those days, to those who played the hole well. At the 4th, a lovely par four called “Shore”, Dunbar begins to play like a classic links course, the views open up and the wind becomes a more prominent factor. The next thirteen holes are wedged between the coastline and a fine-looking old stonewall where out-of-bounds threatens beyond. The finishing hole, aptly called “Hame”, plays back to the clubhouse across the old deer park.
Dunbar East Links is a relatively short course, measuring 6,597 yards from the medal tees, but the wind generally makes the round thoroughly challenging and immensely entertaining. There is so much history to be absorbed in the East Lothian and a visit to Dunbar will help to complete the lesson. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | Played Dunbar on a lovely sunny day in January with not a cloud in the sky. The 35mph wind did make it rather interesting though. The last 4 holes I was straight into the wind and it was gusting upto 50 - a 5 club wind on one of the par 3's! Despite that it was an enjoyable round and an excellent course. Some very good holes and plenty that are literally right on the water. Not the toughest course but plenty to think about off the tee. Excellent condition and greens were impeccable for the time of year. The pro and staff In the clubhouse were very friendly and welcoming. The food and drink were good quality and value. .
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| 02 February 2013
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| Eskimos would hardly venture out to face the sort of snowy scene I found first thing today in Glasgow but intrepid Scottish golfers are made of sterner stuff so two a half hours later and 85 miles away on the east coast, I bowled into Dunbar to find the course bathed in glorious winter sunshine, even if it was a little frosty in places. Since I last played here, a snaking burn has been introduced on the first hole which I really like but I’m not so sure about the parkland pond to the left of the green -  maybe it has always been there? Anyway, it looks totally out of place on what’s meant to be a links course. I played the first three holes in no time at all then it was time take on the real seaside challenge on the other side of the big estate wall that runs along the coast. Holes 4 to 8 and 14 to 17 are somehow squeezed into a sliver of land between the wall and the shore and it’s on this compact tract of real estate that you can only marvel at how somebody like Old Tom was able to make the very best use of the limited terrain available to lay out holes that dovetail so well. The ground at the far end of the course between holes 8 and 13 is more contoured, offering very interesting green sites, the best of which for me is at the 13th, where a couple of new bunkers to the right of the punchbowl green will catch many an approach shot this summer. A word too about the clubhouse as it’s one of the most homely you could imagine – there’s more than a whiff of Royal West Norfolk or Royal North Devon about here (one of the four ball ahead had a dog on a lead too) so you know it’s an unpretentious place where golfers relax in very informal surroundings. I just loved being back here today to have the values of traditional Scottish links golf reaffirmed to me once again. And was that the name of fearless golf correspondent John Huggan that I saw on the Past Captain and Club Champion honours boards? Jim McCann. |
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| 05 December 2011
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| Response: | | | nick | 21 September 2012 | | really fun links course...played in 35mph wind which made it tough..thought the first couple of holes & the 18th were a tad boring (on the clubhouse side of the wall). but the rest of the course made up for it..some quirky links holes & stunning views...will definately be back...RD |
| | The waves were crashing against the shore as I arrived at Dunbar and made my way along the narrow road towards the clubhouse; despite the wind and rain clearly being in evidence I couldn't wait to get out onto the course for my first experience of the East Links due to the scenic coastal setting.
The first three holes and the last, as have been mentioned, are situated on the inland side of the course with holes 4-17 being perched on a narrow strip of land by the sea no more than a couple of fairways wide. The first couple of holes are understated compared to what lies in store later in the round but are decent enough holes to stand up in their own right. As they lie parallel to each other, with the 18th to the left there is a chance to open with the driver right from the off at Dunbar without fear of losing a ball. A small pond to the left of the 1st green has recently been built (to eradicate drainage problems I understand) and a burn runs infront of the putting surface and adds an extra element of difficulty to the opener. The 2nd is a pretty straight par 5 of just under 500 yards which takes the golfer back towards the pro shop and on to the challenging par three 3rd. The tee on the third, "Jackson's Pennies", is built into the hill and lies 152 yards from the well protected, undulating green, with the lovely backdrop of the Firth of Forth in the distance over the other side of the wall separating the opening and closing holes from the rest of the course.
Once the golfer steps through the wall to the 4th tee the course really comes alive and the views of the rocky coastline are a sight to behold. The 4th slightly bends to the left towards the sea and is a good hole to get the juices flowing on the seaside section of the course. A shortish par three follows before care must be taken on the 6th not to push the ball over the wall on the right which is a constant companion throughout the front nine. That wall (again!) blocks the view of the green on the tee shot of the 7th hole where the corner can be cut slightly to offer an easier approach to the sloping green. The 8th is another good hole with an uphill elevation change from tee to green before a blind tee shot to a rumpled fairway on the par 5 9th is followed by a second from well above the green making the chance of getting near to the green in regulation a real possibility.
The back nine begins with a long par three and although the quarry to the right is a bit of an eyesore it is easy enough to overlook this by taking a turn to the left and once again enjoying the great views of the choppy sea. The golfer is brought ever closer to the water on the next two tee shots with the tee boxes at the 11th and 12th being right next to the craggy rocks at the shore. The 12th was without a doubt my favourite hole on the course, a 445 yard slightly left to right par 4, with nothing but the Firth of Forth visible beyond the flag from the fairway. The hole is made doubly diffucult by the fact that anything right will end up wet - challenging indeed. The 13th, a shortish par 4 with a bathtub green, was a fun hole and incidently was the only one I had with the wind at my back coming home. 14 was another good hole, doglegging to the the left towards the stone shed adjacent to the 7th green. 15 and 16 are compact holes and fit in well with the rest of the course - the par 3 16th was particularly tough with a cross-wind to negotiate although my mishit shot somehow managed to trickle onto the green. Two streams from the sea disect the 17th hole, in what is the last of the scenic holes on the sea side of the wall, and the front of the green is protected by two well positioned bunkers. The wall comes into play one last time on the 18th, with anything sliced going OB over the wall. At 421 yards and heading back towards where the round began "Hame" is a difficult closing hole and par is well earned here before enjoying a beverage in the charming old clubhouse.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my round at Dunbar even in the miserable weather however none of that mattered given the quality of the course and the fantastic views during the round. Dunbar is a magnificent example of links golf as it was meant to be played and definitely should be on any golfers' itinerary when visiting East Lothian. DM |
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| 10 March 2010
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| | I arranged my first ever visit to Scotland in March 1991. 6 intrepid English golfers ventured North to savour Scottish Golf, and I didn't have a clue on which courses to play. Dunbar found it's way onto our itinerary, and we were due to play it on the 3rd day of our weeks visit.
We arrived nice and early for our 18 holes, and the wind was already howling. You could hardly stand up or hear each other speak. This was our first true taste of Scottish links, our previous two games had been on sheltered parkland courses and we hadn't a clue what to expect. The first three holes were fairly straightforward, two par 5's (unusual) and a par 3 from an elevated tee, where one of our group nearly had his first ever hole in one. One more roll of the ball and it would have dropped.
Then we ventured out onto the course proper. Jeez, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It looked like a moonscape. I don't remember much of the course, all I remember is the wind. I had never before played in wind of such strength and trust me, haven't since. A well struck drive downwind went for what seemed miles. Into the wind? About 80 yards if you were lucky. We had to walk in after 12 holes, it was that bad. We had been beaten. We went into the clubhouse afterwards for a drink and a meal and there was an old guy sitting at the bar sipping his whisky. "Is it always this windy here" we asked.
He looked out of the window and commented "this is just a mild zephyr. You wait until it really gets up!"
We were so impressed with the course though that we cancelled our Friday game and returned to play Dunbar. Thankfully the weather was better, the wind had dropped and the sun was out. We loved it. Fantastic tees, fairways, bunkers and greens. We returned to Scotland 4 or 5 more times after that, but bases ourselves further North so a reture to Dunbar was never on the cards again. But I'd love to go back sometime because it really is a great links. |
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| 04 February 2010
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| | We played Dunbar on the last day of our eight course tour, and it was a fitting send off. We were fortunate with the weather, crystal clear and a suitable breeze, making the front nine out a bit of a vacation and the holes coming in much more challenging. Once past the first three holes, which are not bad holes, and on to the sea, the game is on. We found the fairways quite generous and the rough very playable. Many in our group of twelve had their best scores there, but our lowest handicapper struggled a bit.I very much enjoyed Dunbar. It's a very good links course and provides all the quirks that one hopes for on a visit such as ours. |
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| 16 September 2009
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| | Lots of fun, very friendly club and out in the middle of the course some great views. We were stuck behind a society on this busy society (as always, ring ahead to get a good tee time !) so didnt actually see the last 2 holes (although we played them) but still a great memory. |
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| 10 August 2009
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| | Second time i`ve played this course - very good indeed not too long or difficult but i played it on a calm day! |
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| 29 June 2009
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| | What a great links course. It was in imaculate condition when I played in June 2008. Every hole is a good test of golf that seems to reward good shots. I have heard some people say they dont enjoy holes 1,2,3,and 18 mainly because they are at the other side of the wall and you don't get the view of the see, I thought these holes were great.
Very friendly golf shop and bar.
Well worth the visit |
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| 16 July 2008
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| | An old fashioned links course which was in excellent condition when I visited in late May 2008. Not a classic but a good layout which was thoroughly enjoyable to play. |
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| 14 July 2008
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| | Played course on 12 July, enjoyable links course with a very good back nine. My only gripe is with some of the stroke indexes. Take the second hole, a relatively straight foward par 5 of just under 500 yards, stroke index 3 but the 18th a long par 4 of 430 yards is ranked stroke 10! |
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| 13 July 2008
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| | Played on 14/6/08 when it was in excellent condition. While the 1st is regarded as one of the weaker holes a new burn in front of the green makes it a much tougher challenge and a better hole for it. It's a relatively short course but the wind can make a huge difference. Downwind on the way out it seemed simple, but it was a different animal for the last few holes back into the breeze. If you can get the twilight rate it is excellent value and a warm welcome awaits in the clubhouse which offers fantastic views out to sea. |
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| 18 June 2008
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| | Played on the Friday of the Open 2007 this was a pleasant return to a gem of a links. A testing breeze (a mere zephyr to the locals), a little sun and a course in first class condition all contributed to an enjoyable day. Add that to a well stocked & helpful pro-shop and a friendly club house (scotch pie, chips and beans - you cannae beat it) and you have all you need for a perfect day out. |
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| 30 July 2007
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| | Another outstanding course that compliments the amazing stretch of courses from Lossiemouth to Gullane all the way down to Berwick upon Tweed. Dunbar starts with three fairly unremarkable holes, then you pass through the ubiquitous wall which will form the right hand boundry of the rest of the front nine. The back nine is simply outstanding. The views across the bay and towards the town of Dunbar are outstanding, and the holes are a marvelous collection of some of the best par 4's in all of Scotland. The plainness of the first three holes probably keeps this course out of the top rank of Scottish links courses, but I would always try and play Dunbar if I were in the area. Great club, friendly members, and a wonderful experience of classic links golf. Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| 03 June 2006
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| | I always really enjoy playing Dunbar. It is yet another classic Scottish links course, not possesssing the grandeur of 'the greats' but testing, fun and a visual treat. There are several super holes - the 3rd and 17th are fine short holes - and use the wall for a friendly bounce at the 6th! Play here, North Berwick West and East and any of the Gullane courses and you will understand links golf and how it gets into your head (never to depart). |
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| 01 May 2006
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| | This course is way, way underrated. I would easily rate it in my top 100. The first three holes and the par 4 last are on the inland side of a wall. The start is average, at best, but once you cross the wall to the seaside part of the links the course is magnificent.
Dunbar has a wonderful collection of par 4's, and the loop from 12 to 17 looks across a bay towards Dunbar town. These are extreamly challenging and the holes have an enormous variety of different challenges.
I've played Dunbar twice and I would always play there if I was in the Gullane/Berwick area. |
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| 19 November 2005
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| | Its hard to fault any of the preceding reviews of Dunbar. As ever, discerning golfers give fair comment on where they have played and I can only echo most of their remarks: Yes, this is seaside (almost holiday) golf played on a narrow
strip of land with an out and back layout, bounded for long spells by a huge stone wall to the west. Yet the greens and fairways are positioned such that you rarely feel restricted by play on adjacent holes.
It is a very fair track where you can open your shoulders and let rip from the tee but if you are caught in a trap you may well have trouble escaping as many of the bunkers are deep and coffin shaped, containing an unusual mix of sand and crushed shell. But there’s no real tough rough to speak of so straying slightly from the fairway is
no big deal. It’s a pity the quarry inland from the holes at the turn has such a negative visual impact on the surrounding landscape at that point. On the plus side, the clubhouse seemed a bit rickety and run down but it oozed character and was a very welcoming place to escape to from the wind which was continually blowing across the course during the round.
One final, pernickety point. When did you last see holes and flagpoles as old fashioned as the ones in use here? Just another wee item which adds to the Dunbar golf course charm. Double up with a round at nearby North Berwick (West) links and you have a cracking 36 holes of golf for the price you would pay for just one round at one of the more celebrated Scottish links. James McCann
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| 26 August 2005
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| | If you like seaside golf you will love Dunbar. After the first three holes - which are all good by the way - you are playing classic in and out links golf. The sea is never out of sight and I do not think there is a weak hole on the course. The Par 3s are superb. Not quite as good as North Berwick which has several very memorable holes but well worth a visit. |
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| 11 July 2005
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| | After an average start, this course proved how it is possible to fit holes into a narrow strip of land without giving the golfer the impression that shots could encroach on to other fairways . Out of bounds wall to the right of the 4th, and the 18th on the home stretch was a little strange. However the compensation of some wonderful holes, tricky greens, and teeing off at times almost on the seashore more than offset any criticism. A beautiful setting where the sea seems to dominate every view, and inevitably where the wind's influence was constant. |
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| 27 April 2005
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| | Dunbar should be on your must play list, just as Muirfield and North Berwick will be for any serious golfing trip to East Lothian. The first two holes and the last are certainly the weakest, but the rest are simply superb. The greens and indeed the green sites are quite stunning...firm, fast seriously contoured and tough to read. End up in the wrong place on the green at your peril. In many ways, Dunbar is reminiscent of Kingsbarns and North Berwick...the main difference is that you feel more shoe-horned between the huge stone wall and the coastline, this makes each hole look tight but well defined. Surely Dunbar should be placed more highly in the rankings, it is a complete gem and naturally there is so much history attached to this outstanding club. |
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| 06 October 2004
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