Overview
Mixing elements of both parkland and moorland styles, Lothianburn is a hilly track, with a high-point some 900 feet above sea level.
Like many of Scotland's older golf courses, Lothianburn was originally just a nine hole layout, but in 1903 the course was extended westward, adding a second nine. A further change came in 1907 when two weak holes were scrapped and two new ones were created beyond the T-Wood area of the course. These holes would eventually becomes the present-day 11th and 12th.
James Braid was then commissioned to re-design the layout, and work was completed by late 1929. The new course was opened in 1930 with a challenge match featuring Braid and the local Champion. The only changes since then have been extensions to various tees, some minor bunker alterations, and of course a considerable increase in the speed of the greens!
The first eight holes run parallel to the Pentlands, in alternating east-west directions. Braid was known for his use of doglegs, and the 4th and 5th holes present the player with two unique examples. The 7th, 8th and 9th also feature dogleg elements. The front nine ends with a steep climb due south-west to the 9th green, set on a plateau just below the summit of the course.
The turn, from the 10th through 13th, is dominated by the ' T' - Wood and the Caerketton (1,568ft) and Allermuir (1,618ft) peaks.
The remainder of the back nine tumbles down the hill to a series of short tight finishing holes flanked by gorse which provide a good viewing arena - ideal for watching matchplay ties unfold.
The course record is seven-under-par 64, held jointly by Chris Brown (2002), Iain Campbell (2003), Paul Logan (2005) and George Wither (2006).
