This year, i have decided to play the 10 oldest golf clubs in the world, whilst working in Scotland. Has anyone played them all yet? If so, how did you rate them for quality? Did they feel like they were old courses when actually playing them?

For those not sure, i have listed them below, of which i have so far played 1,3,4,6 & 7.

Glasgow Golf Club

I think you'll find that Royal Blacheath is in Blackheath, South London Allan, and certainly one you will enjoy playing

Wayne, when you played it, could you tell it had been around a long time?

Of the ones i have played so far, although many have been altered slightly, you could still tell they had been around for ages. That and knowing the history of the location, certainly added to the enjoyment of the day.

Oh god yeah and if I'm honest (played in the early 90's) it felt like some of the members were founders

Attitudes have changed slightly since then of course, but a brilliant course Allan, god I'm envious now

I don't think that list is correct, Alan, maybe for Scotland but there are other clubs in England just as old. Wimbledon Common/London Scottish and Royal North devon, just to name 2 off the top of my head.

Fraserburgh was established in 1777, 5th oldest in Scotland and 7th oldest in the world!! yet it's not on your list??

The Blackheath golf course is not that old.

What you want to look for is the oldest golf sites. As some clubs, like Blackheath are a lot older than they courses they're based at. And some sites older than the club.

Try this list.

Location

Bruntsfield Links

Montrose is quite nice.

The first list is golf CLUBS and SOCIETIES. Many are no longer playing on their original courses, like Hon Company Edinburgh Golfers, who now play at Muirfield, or Glasgow Golf Club, or Royal Blackheath. The second list of golf SITES and is no use to you - the oldest site, Perth, is not a golf course, it is where James I played golf in the grounds of Scone Palace! The scoieties list IS correct. For instance, my club (Glasgow) was founded in 1745, long before Wimbledon and North Devon.

I have played all of these courses and they vary enormously - the hardest are Muirfield and Balgownie (Royal Aberdeen), the easiest Crail and Musselburgh. Try them all if you like but I would advise you concentrate more on the classic (and newer) Scottish links courses - all the Open venues plus Gailes, Dornoch, any of the Lothian coast courses, Machrihanish, Cruden Bay, Kingsbarns..........the list is long my friend!! Don't forget the Lancashire coast and County Antrim if you want to travel a bit farther afield.

How did I miss the forum post last week, great post!

Just recently heard Machrihanish is a fantastic venue and worth playing. 

Don't get sucked in with Royal Musselburgh. It's Musselburgh Links, which is inside the Racecourse and a 9hole Muni. Royal Musselburgh GC was formed there in 1774 and only moved up the road to its present location in 1925.

Burgess GC(1874-1895), The Honourable GC(1836-1891) & Bruntsfield GC(1875-1895) all played over the Musselburgh Links.

Scotland is the 'Home of Golf' and many interesting and historic courses can be found.

TheLyth

Play Crail regularly when I go back to visit my parents. My dad's a member there. Nice course and not particularly long or difficult if you're hitting the ball well.

If you play Crail and have time on your hands, pop along to the 9-hole track at Anstruther. Very nice layout. The par-3 fifth has been rated hardest par-3 in Britain. Worth playing the course just to try getting a par on that hole.

Anyone else ever done any challenges like this ?

I've decided that this year I'm going to play the 10 cheapest golf courses in the UK.

As long as they are no more than a 45 minute drive from my house!

Does that count?

Russ