Dunbar Course
Dunbar Golf Course


About this course
Dunbar, flanking the North Sea on Scotland's East Links, is where hickory shafts still whisper tales of titans testing fate against the ever-present wind. This traditional links, sculpted in the late 19th century, rolls across rumpled terrain, demanding creative shotmaking rather than brute force. Its firm fairways and strategically placed pot bunkers penalize the wayward, rewarding those who embrace the ground game. Old Tom Morris added his subtle touch, forever enshrining his design within the legacy of Scotland's golfing landscape. Dunbar isn't about manicured perfection; it's about the pure, untamed essence of links golf, where every round unfolds as a unique negotiation with nature. Blind shots and cunning doglegs test course management skills far beyond mere power. Dunbar's appeal extends to its warm and welcoming membership, a diverse group bound by a shared love of the game and the camaraderie found within its unpretentious clubhouse. Here, stories are shared over steaming bowls of Cullen Skink, the traditional Scottish soup, solidifying the bonds forged on the rugged links.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in UK
Best in Scotland
Quick facts
- Location
- Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1856
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Old Tom Morris
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,597 yards
- Difficulty
- 77.7/135
- Course Vaults score
- 8.4
Getting there
Most visitors arrive via Edinburgh Airport, just forty miles to the west, before tracing the scenic A1 coastline east through the historic burghs of East Lothian. The half-hour drive unfolds along the Firth of Forth, where glimpses of Bass Rock and the North Sea signal your approach to Scotland's storied golfing shore. Dunbar itself sits tucked between the harbor and the links, a working town where the golf course spreads naturally along the clifftops and dunes - arrival here feels less like reaching a destination than slipping quietly into the fabric of Scottish links tradition.

FAQ
Common questions about Dunbar
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dunbar has a Course Vaults score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 46 logged golfers.
Dunbar was designed by Old Tom Morris.
Yes. Dunbar is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Dunbar is 71.
Dunbar plays 6,597 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dunbar is 135.

