Kilspindie Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland
Kilspindie Golf Club, located in Scotland's East Lothian region, holds claim as the 35th oldest golf club in the entire world, dating back to 1867. The golf course has since moved a mile or so down the road (setting up its current location in 1899), and today features a true links course along the banks of the Firth of Forth in Aberlady.
The club was originally "Luffness Golf Club," until some members broke off and formed the Luffness New Golf Club, which is still in play today and just a few miles down the road.
The land for the current location of Kilspindie was formerly used for rifling, and you'll still see a couple rifle outposts, named "The Magazine" and "The Target." Like many shoreside spots around the U.K., the surrounding land was also a strategic outpost for troops during the world wars.
The golf course is a 5,502-yard par 69 but features an opening stretch that can be very difficult, playing into the prevailing wind and right along the sea. The signature hole, the par-3 eighth, also requires a shot over the beach to the green. The course also defends par with a collection of steep, sod pot bunkers that put some teeth into the many short par 4s playing under 300 yards.
Kilspindie Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland
Kilspindie Golf Club in Scotland's East Lothian region is the 35th oldest club in the world, founded in 1867.
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Kilspindie Golf Club - hole 1
The first hole at Kilspindie Golf Club is a par 3 that plays out toward the Firth of Forth.
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Kilspindie Golf Club in Scotland - sea
Holes No. 2 thru 4 play right along the sea and into prevailing winds at Kilspindie Golf Club.
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Kilspindie Golf Club - hole 4
The fourth green at Kilspindie sits on an exposed peninsula surrounded by water.
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Kilspindie Golf Club in Scotland - bunkers
Despite its short length, Kilspindie is defended by many steep, sod bunkers.
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Kilspindie Golf Club - hole 8
Kilspindie's signature hole, the par-3 eighth plays over the beach to the green from the white tees.
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Kilspindie Golf Club - hole 10
The par-3 10th hole at Kilspindie, "The Pond," is 155 yards long.
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Kilspindie Golf Club in Scotland - Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is in view from most points at Kilspindie Golf Club.
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Kilspindie Golf Club in Scotland - wall
An old stone wall that separated farm land from links land comes into play on several holes down the closing stretch at Kilspindie Golf Club.
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Kilspindie Golf Club - hole 18
No. 18 at Kilspindie Golf Club is a short, reachable par 4 with prevailing winds at your back.
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