Prestonfield Golf Club is set in beautiful parkland within the heart of Scotland's capital city, and is located a mere one and a half miles from the bustle of Princes Street. 

It lies in the lee of the volcanic mass of Arthur's Seat amidst spectacular scenery of historical significance.  It is bound by Holyrood Park and the bird sanctuary of Duddingston Loch to the north, the Braid Burn and Peffermill Mansion House to the east and the grounds of Prestonfield House to the south. 

Priestfield as Prestonfield was once known was first recorded in a Royal charter of 1153, but the present Mansion House only dates back to 1687 when it was built by Sir James Dick, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh to replace an earlier building destroyed by fire.  The club was established in 1920 as the Edinburgh Civil Service Golf Club and the course was extended in both 1928 and 1933 by acquisition of additional land. 

James Braid, one of the most famous names in golf, created the present layout.  The course is a testing par 70 of 6207 yards whose two par 5s are very long but its par 3's quite short by today's standards.  The character lies in the amount of long testing par 4's that can vary greatly depending on wind direction and strength. 

The undulating ground at the top end of the course adds another dimension in shot making, whilst the mature trees in the middle section of the course contrast dramatically with the more open aspects of the lower part.  An extensive tree planting programme over the last ten years has improved the definition of many holes, and at the same time created more problems for those choosing to leave the fairway. 

There are seven dog legs of varying severity on the course ranging from the gentle 1st hole, through the sweeping par 5's at the 3rd and 7th , to the aptly named 'Dog Leg' 14th.  Prestonfield's reputation of being a challenging but fair course has made it a popular venue for a number of competitions over the years including the prestigious Lothian's Match Play Championship on six occasions.

Players are given a gentle introduction to the round where the opening hole requires a thoughtfully placed drive to leave a pitch to the generous green. Good club selection ajnd accuracy at the second is crucial if the two out of bounds areas and the bunkers guarding the two level green are to be avoided. The mighty dogleg third is a genuine three shotter for most players, with the added attraction of out of bounds left and the deep greenside gully known as Sampson's Grave. The 4th hole is the first of five long par 4's requiring two good straight shots to hit the front guarded green in regulation.

The 5th is a fairly straightforward par 3 with the 12th century Craigmillar Castle visible in the distance. The next 3 holes run roughly parallel in line with the prevailing south westerly wind coming off the Pentland Hills.

The turn is reached by negotiating the short 9th whose green is jealously guarded by three greedy bunkers and flanked by two large trees.

Heading for home, the 10th fairway is accompanied for it's entire length by the Braid Burn and the attendant rare Scots Poplars on the near bank. The 11th and 12th are back to back par 4's requiring two good shots in each case to reach not over large greens. The prevailing wind plays an important part in both holes, pushing weak shots over the boundary wall at the 11th and turning the 12th into a par 4 1/2.

Mary Queen of Scots used to spend time in the gardens adjoining the Mansion House where the short 13th, known as 'the Old Garden' now stands. The oak, ash, elm and chestnut trees surrounding Prestonfield House in an 'Ace of Clubs' formation play a major part in the strategy of the next two holes, punishing off-line shots severely. Beware also the peacocks that roam the nearby gardens and occasionally the 15th fairway, where they can emit a disconcerting shriek - normally at the top of your backswing.

All greens have slopes and borrows and those at Prestonfield are no exception, particularly some on the second nine which are a real test of eye and touch. The 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th greens roll in many directions and are difficult to read, especially by visitors.

The end of the round is near and the short 16th should not cause any problems, but care is needed on the sloping fairway. The 17th is a sweeping uphill dog leg with a generous fairway and quite marvellous views of the rock formation known as Sampson's Ribs and the Wells o' Wearie on your right, and in the distance, the impressive Salisbury Crags. At 279 meters, the 'Home' hole is slightly downhill but is no pushover as any one of it's eight bunkers can ensure that par is well earned.

After your round, well-deserved refreshments and good food can be taken in the friendly atmosphere of the clubhouse where members and visitors can swap stories of the 'ones that got away'. The views from the lounge windows of Holyrood Park, Duddingston Loch and Kirk, and on a clear day, North Berwick Law 23 miles away, tend to make the viewers forget that they are within a city.

We hope you enjoy your day at Prestonfield; haste ye back