Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, Edinburgh. (1761 - 1898)

Golf had been played over the Bruntsfield Links since the fifteenth century.

Early match on the links in June 1752, before the Society was established.

 

Bruntsfield Links Golf Course, Edinburgh. Report on a match on the links in June 1752.

From the Caledonian Mercury Tuesday 30th June 1752. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society was established in 1761 and played on a six-hole course on the Links. This arrangement was fine in those long off days when there were few golfers. The popularity of the game increased in the mid 19th century and the Links became more crowded. The Socitey members gradually played more golf at Musselburgh and eventually moved there in 1876.

The Society moved to the course at Barnton in 1898.

Scottish Golf History is a great site and has a wealth of information. More in depth history on the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society can be found on the following link.

http://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/oldest-golf-clubs-societies/1761-bruntsfield-links-golfing-society/

Originally built in 1456 Wright's Houses was a favourite meeting place for the pioneers of golf. 

 

Bruntsfield Golfing Society, Edinburgh. The Golf Tavern Wright's Houses.

The inset picture from 1911 shows a close-up of "The Tavern", Wright's Houses, the nineteenth for early Bruntsfield golfers. Image courtesy @LdnGolfHistory.

 

Bruntsfield Golfing Society, Edinburgh. The course in the early 1900s.

Bruntsfield Place and Golf Links in the early 1900s. Image courtesy of http://www.golf-repro.com/

 

Bruntsfield Golfing Society, Edinburgh. The Golf Links.

Bruntsfield Links. Image supplied by @LdnGolfHistory.

 

Bruntsfield Golfing Society, Edinburgh. Caddie Willie.

Caddie Willie, Bruntsfield Links.

 

The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the early course at Bruntsfield Links.