GULLANE, East Lothian, Scotland -- Climbing Gullane Hill into a headwind might be the toughest walk in golf, but the reward of playing the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club is certainly worth the effort.
The view from the elevated third tee box reveals links golf at its finest. Holes spill in all directions with the Firth of Forth as a backdrop. Most of them are from the famed No. 1 Course -- a 6,548-yard British Open qualifying site dating to 1884 -- but a few belong to the club's No. 2 Course, an equally fun layout of 6,244 yards that was added in 1898.
Golf Magazine ranked the par-5 third hole on Gullane No. 1 among the top 500 holes in the world, although there are plenty of other strong ones as well.
The seventh tee is perched above a beach popular with kite surfers and offers a distant view of Muirfield.
The par-4 11th hole slants downhill to a green framed by the choppy waters of the Firth.
The headwind that makes the uphill second hole so tough becomes the ultimate ally on the 17th hole called "Hilltop," a downhill par 4 that is drivable for big hitters who can sneak a tee shot between several front bunkers.
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 7
The elevated seventh tee box on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club shows off the open expanse of the terrain.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 5
The fifth hole on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club is called "Murray's Hill."
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 8
Scenery greets golfers at the eighth green on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 9
Choosing the proper club isn't easy at the par-3 ninth hole of the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 11
The 11th hole might be the best par 4 on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 13
Bunkers guard the 13th green on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 17
Even with the wind at your back and an elevated tee, it's unwise to try and drive the 17th green on the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 2
The second hole of the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club is named "Windygate." It climbs uphill, often into a stiff breeze off the Firth of Forth.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Gullane Golf Club - No. 1 Course - hole 3
The third tee of the No. 1 Course at Gullane Golf Club requires shots off the Gullane Hill.
Courtesy of Gullane Golf Club
