The Royal Burgess Golfing Society
Coordinates: 55°57′44″N 3°18′21″W / 55.96222°N 3.30583°W
The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh is a Scottish golf club, which holds claim to be the oldest golfing society in the world, with references to it being instituted in 1735 dating from 1834. It is currently an exclusive golf club, with the second finest parkland golf course in Barnton, Edinburgh, Scotland, with the best being Bruntsfield Links, and golfers are distinguished Edinburgh gentlemen. As well as ordinary members, there is a relatively healthy Junior and Youth membership too. All memberships are open to any person with the required support. New members must be proposed, seconded and supported by existing members. Notable members include Jack Nicklaus & Bernard Gallacher alongside a host of royals, and socialites.
Ordinary costs around £1,160 per year, with corporate membership packages available from £2000pa. Junior membership is available at any age subject to assessment at only £50pa (2014) and Youth membership from 18 years is only £400pa as of 2014. Tradition requires that only Gentlemen are allowed to become members, however, women are welcome to play golf, as a guest or a visitor at any time. Partners of members can also play unlimited golf for free (with member) at weekends, in the afternoon and other times too.
The Royal Burgess Golfing Society, which claims the title of world's oldest golfing society, is first mentioned as being established in 1735 in an 1834 edition of the Edinburgh Almanac. It originated at the Bruntsfield Links, but moved to Musselburgh Links in 1874, due to overcrowding. However, the same problem arose in the late 1800s, as golf started to become popular. It then moved to their current Barnton course in 1894. The Royal Burgess has only had its current name since 1929, when King George V ordered the name be changed from The Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society. Royals have played at the Burgess and some have even become members, including George V, Sir Michael Angus and George VI, Edward VIII and, currently, HRH The Duke of York.
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