Mar 2 Lost at Golfe at Musselboorgh with Gosford, Lyon etc .. .£3 5s 0d
We cannot know how the course was then set out as no records survive. But we do know how the course developed from the beginning of the nineteenth century. The Old Links had seven holes, with the ‘Home Hole’ added in 1832 and the final hole, “Hole Across” created in 1870. Today some changes occurred in 1985 with the shortening of “Barracks Entry” and again in 1996 with a new “Gas” hole being introduced. The course was lengthened slightly at this time.
The first three holes stretched eastward from the racecourse grandstand, which incidentally doubled as the former clubhouse of the Honourable Company until 1868. To the right is the main traffic route to which golfers would often slice their shots. They would play back to the links using the new brass-soled clubs designed by Musselburgh club makers for this purpose (commonly known as a “brassie”). Until recently, the fourth green still stood beside Mrs. Foremans Inn, where golfers would be served refreshments though a hatch in the wall. Mrs Formans has since been redeveloped as private houses.
The course turns northwest with the short hole playing back towards the sea. The next three holes follow the coastline, and the last hole returns south towards the grandstand. The “Home Hole” has now become the first after the course alterations in 1996.