
Turnhouse Course
Turnhouse Golf Club

About this course
Turnhouse Golf Club sits on the western outskirts of Edinburgh, near the city's airport, occupying gently rolling parkland that has hosted golf since the early twentieth century. The course was designed by James Braid, the five-time Open Champion who became one of Scotland's most prolific golf architects in the decades following his competitive career. Braid's work here reflects his characteristic approach to inland layouts: strategic bunkering, thoughtful use of natural contours, and routing that rewards accurate placement over pure length. The terrain at Turnhouse features modest elevation changes and open fairways framed by mature trees, typical of parkland courses in the Edinburgh region. The layout tests players with well-defended greens and requires careful club selection on approach shots, where Braid's bunkering often penalizes wayward strikes. While not dramatically hilly, the land provides enough movement to create variety in stance and shot-making throughout the round. Turnhouse serves primarily as a members' club, maintaining the traditions of Scottish club golf with a focus on accessibility and community rather than championship ambition. The course offers a solid test for golfers of varying abilities and represents a piece of Braid's extensive design legacy across Scotland. Its proximity to Edinburgh makes it a convenient option for those seeking a round of parkland golf near the capital, away from the more famous links courses along the nearby Firth of Forth coastline.
Quick facts
- Location
- Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1897
- Designer
- James Braid
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 69
- Length
- 6,060 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.3/129
Getting there
Edinburgh Airport lies less than two miles from Turnhouse Golf Club, making it one of the most accessible championship-standard courses in Scotland for international travelers. The brief transfer from terminal to clubhouse unfolds across flat, windswept terrain characteristic of the Firth of Forth coastline, with the course's mature tree-lined fairways visible almost immediately upon departure from the airport perimeter. This proximity to Scotland's capital - just twenty minutes from Princes Street - renders Turnhouse an ideal first or final round for visitors seeking a genuine links-adjacent test without venturing into the Highlands, though the roar of departing aircraft serves as a constant reminder of the modern world encroaching upon this historic 1897 layout.

FAQ
Common questions about Turnhouse
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Turnhouse was designed by James Braid.
Yes. Turnhouse is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Turnhouse is 69.
Turnhouse plays 6,060 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Turnhouse is 129.
Turnhouse is a 18-hole course.



