Is it true that Turnhouse Golf Club started with only nine holes? Indeed it did. Let me tell you about this club’s evolution. Turnhouse Golf Club began in 1897. Members of Lothian Golf Club wanted their own course. They were tired of sharing Musselburgh Links. Recognizing the value of a nearby railway stop they leased land from Turnhouse farm.
The venture proved successful. In 1898, they bought the land where the car park and Clubhouse now stand. The greenkeepers’ buildings served as a temporary clubhouse. Tea was available for sixpence or cold meat for a shilling. By June 1900, the course expanded to eighteen holes.
The Club was initially known as Lothian Golf Club. On April 27th 1909, it became Turnhouse Golf Club Ltd. Early golf courses used natural terrain for hazards. Turnhouse featured turf dykes about three feet high. These were built across fairways. In 1908, instructions were issued to make gaps in these walls.
Sand bunkers were gradually introduced. James Braid redesigned the course in 1927. He preferred strategically placed bunkers. This signaled the end of walls as hazards. The course was reshaped and lengthened in 1950. The current 7th and 8th holes were added. Turnhouse is now a par 69. Its standard scratch rating is 70 over 6060 yards.
Set on Lennie Hill, Turnhouse offers amazing views. You can see the Highlands to the north. The River Forth is visible to the east. The Pentland Hills lie to the south. The grass-covered shale bings of Broxburn are in the west.
The Clubhouse now offers much more than tea and cold meat. Though, the cost is more than a shilling. Turnhouse Golf Club is located in the West of Edinburgh on Lennie Hill. James Braid amended the original layout in 1924.
Turnhouse hosts an annual 7-day tournament. It attracts high caliber players. A new 5th hole has been added in recent years. Many of the original greens have been reshaped too.
In 2005, Turnhouse was the first Edinburgh golf club to offer ClubGolf junior coaching. In 2013, the Turnhouse Junior team had great success. They won the Edinburgh Summer League. They also won the Edinburgh Inter Club. Furthermore, they won the Scottish final of the Junior Team Golf Home Nations event. This victory qualified them for the Home Nations Championship in Spain.
Turnhouse Golf Club respects its heritage. It also embraces the future. Each hole tells a story of past challenges. It invites golfers to be part of its ongoing narrative. Whether you are a pro or a beginner Turnhouse offers a great golfing experience. It combines history, community, and sport. At Turnhouse every swing connects to the past. Every hole is a step into the future. Turnhouse is more than a golf course. It’s a journey through time. It is a community focal point. It provides a sporting challenge.