Right, first thing to clear up: despite the name, Luffness New is anything but new. Old Tom Morris laid out the original eighteen in 1894 and the course still delivers traditional, extremely testing links golf in the best East Lothian style.
After a drive through the lovely village of Aberlady you arrive at a cracking stretch of golfing country. The A198 runs right through this corridor, linking Luffness with the three Gullane courses and on towards Muirfield, so it's an easy add-on if you're basing yourself around Gullane or North Berwick.
Set at the foot of Gullane Hill, Luffness New is all about positioning and restraint. The bunkers are placed to catch the lazy line, the greens are on the smaller side and approaches need controlling rather than just throwing it up in the air. When the turf is firm and the breeze gets up, you'll find yourself playing the ground game, shaping shots and thinking your way around instead of simply reaching for driver on every tee. It rewards the classic links skills: keep it in play, take your medicine when you miss and think your way into the smaller greens.
The fairways are typically presented in excellent nick and the conditioning is exactly what you'd hope for in this part of East Lothian. Expect firm turf when it's running, plenty of movement in the ground game and bunkering that makes you choose your line properly rather than just lash driver. It's a proper walking course, the pace is good and the visitor welcome feels traditional without being stuffy.
Don't skip the clubhouse either. It's steeped in history, full of stories and it rounds off the day perfectly. Include Luffness New on your next East Lothian itinerary if you want a traditional test with real character.
Who is this for?
Golfers putting together a multi-course East Lothian trip who want classic links golf close to Gullane and Muirfield.
Who is it best for?
Mid to low handicappers, course-management types and anyone who enjoys smaller greens, smart bunkering and a traditional Scottish clubhouse atmosphere.
