Musselburgh Golf Links, the Old Golf Course, Musselburgh, Scotland

For those that have a little golfing romance in their soul, no visit to the Edinburgh area is complete without a quick round at historic Musselburgh Links, still set within the confines of the old racetrack, its 9 holes completely unchanged since hosting 6 British Opens in the late 1800s. Here, the game as it was is completely preserved as you duck under the rails, complete with hickory clubs and gutta percha balls if you choose. For those of you seeking to play all of the Open Championship venues, you have not played them all until you have tackled this little links, as six championships were held on this very acreage in the late 1800’s! A beautiful stone plaque on the outside of the clubhouse (a classic stone building, across the street from the course, not to be confused with the starter’s hut by the first tee) commemorates the Musselburgh Open Champions of this era. The course is unchanged since before the Old Course went from 22 to 18 holes, making it the world's oldest playing golf course in terms of unchanged design. Our favorite hole is the 4th, Mrs. Forman’s, with a pub of the same name hard by the green giving new meaning to “drive-thru” service. Don’t stay too long, or they will worry you have run off with the hickories!