Links ClassicHidden Gem

Craigielaw Golf Club

Aberlady, East Lothian · Designed by Donald Steel (2001) · Est. 2001

Craigielaw is the modern addition to East Lothian's golf coast, opened in 2001 to a Donald Steel design and quickly established as one of the best of the newer links in Scotland. Laid out on genuine links land at Aberlady, hard by the bay and the Aberlady nature reserve, it looks and plays like a course far older than its years — firm turf, revetted bunkers, big greens and the ever-present sea wind.

At par 71 over around 6,600 yards, it makes clever use of the coastal ground, with several holes running along the shore and views out to the Forth and across to Fife. Steel resisted any modern gimmickry: this is a proper, traditional links test that rewards the running game and punishes the wayward. There is a comfortable clubhouse and lodge, making it a fine base in its own right.

Amid the historic giants of the East Lothian coast, Craigielaw proves that great links golf did not stop being built a century ago.

Holes worth knowing

1The shoreline holes — several run hard along Aberlady Bay with views to the Forth and Fife, exposed to the sea wind.
2The revetted bunkering — Steel built a traditional links, so the deep, stacked-sod bunkers demand you keep the ball in play.

Highlights

The best of East Lothian's modern links (2001)
Traditional Donald Steel design
Genuine links land by Aberlady Bay
Clubhouse lodge — a fine base on the golf coast

Good to know

→Craigielaw shows that great links can still be built — a modern (2001) Donald Steel design that feels a century older, in the best way.
→It borders the Aberlady Bay nature reserve, Scotland's first designated Local Nature Reserve — good for birdlife on a calm day.
→There is an on-site lodge and clubhouse, so it works as a comfortable base for the whole East Lothian coast.
→Gullane, Muirfield, Luffness and North Berwick are all within a few miles — this is the heart of the golf coast.
→Edinburgh is 35 minutes; pair Craigielaw with the historic links nearby for a varied old-and-new links tour.