IT was halfway through the third round of golf in as many days when the unexpected happened writes David Magilton

Instead of the usual 250 yards drive straight down the fairway the ball bobbled little more than 20 into the rough.

Very disappointing and not the standard of shot to be happy about even with my maximum handicap, but for once it was not my drive that was fluffed but that of the former golf professional I was playing alongside.

"I shouldn't have tried to shape the ball into the wind," he confessed. I did not really understand what he was talking about but nodded in agreement.

With my drive for once having landed in the middle of the fairway I could not help feeling just a little smug, which I admit was a little ungracious as he had just spent three days helping me dig my ball out of the rough on nearly every hole.

The fact that not much more than a novice like myself can play with such a quality player is one of the joys of golf and we were in a part of the world where golf is enjoyed by nearly everyone.

We were playing just a long iron away from Muirfield, the venue for The Open in July. It is the first time the Championship will return to East Lothian after a 10 year absence and where Nick Faldo achieved both his successes over the course many believe is one of the most challenging anywhere in the world.

As someone who previously had never played a round much farther afield than Bolton Municipal it was a revelation and I can now begin to understand why television commentator Peter Alliss is always harping on about the severe test of a links course and how the wind can seriously damage your card.

East Lothian, just half an hour drive east from Edinburgh, has a string of formidable links courses that line the Firth of Forth. I had heard that unlike the rest of Scotland, the eastern side escapes much of the bad weather but it was incredible to experience it at first hand. With much of Britain getting a soaking, we could see heavy clouds all around us but the effect of the hills and the Forth restricted the bad weather to just a handful of sharp showers.

The same cannot be said of the wind that did its best to blow anything that I could manage to get on line, back into the wilderness.

Golf in the area is a dream with a number of links courses which because of their sandy structure provide golf on the same well manicured greens nearly every day of the year.

We played the Glen Golf Club just outside North Berwick, which although a par 69 was the most challenging I have experienced. From the first to last nearly every hole is interesting beginning with the opener which has a frighteningly narrow approach to an elevated green 40 feet above the fairway. The spectacular par three 13th is aptly named 'The Sea Hole' as you have to drive over the edge of a cliff and drop blindly onto the green that is by the side of the beach.

Farther along the coastline is the famous Gullane Golf Club that has three courses. Number One is of championship quality and will host one of The Open qualifying rounds, but I was allowed to try the shorter but equally impressive number three. The course spills over the cliffs offering spectacular scenery and with the wind unabating, offered another good test of golf. Gullane is the home of one of the world's foremost collections of golf memorabilia and one not to be missed by any golfer with the slightest interest in the origins of the sport.

The Heritage of Golf, situated next to the pro's shop is owned and run by Archie Baird, an incredible character, whose exhibition shows how the game developed after it arrived in Scotland from Holland around 600 years ago. He explains how the game developed and what materials were used for the balls and clubs from the early beginnings to the present day. Admission is free but only by appointment.

Golfers have the chance to try for themselves what it felt like to play with traditional hickory clubs by having a round on the Musselburgh Links, the world's oldest playing golf course. The game was first played there in 1672 and hosted The Open Championship six times between 1874 and 1891. The nine hole course is uniquely set out in the middle of the racecourse.

The area is not just about a golf as there are ample attractions on hand for families and golf widows. There is a wealth of sights and sounds to witness in Edinburgh, but one unusual attraction that I believe is a 'must' is the Scottish Seabird Centre on the front at North Berwick.

Big brother is certainly watching the birds out there as cameras used for the television series of the same name have been positioned on three islands just a few miles out to sea which are the home to 200,000 seabirds.

Live pictures can be seen at the centre where members of the public can control the cameras. Some 100,000 gannets cram onto the Bass Rock, giving it a white appearance from the mainland. There are a variety of seabirds which include many peoples' favourites, the puffin and can all be seen at close hand. In winter the arrival of the grey seal offers an equally impressive attraction.

I stayed at the well appointed Grand Marina on the front at North Berwick, literally a wedge from the town's golf course. Many high class restaurants offer good Scottish food, but for something a little different the Maitlandfield House Hotel, owned by Nico de Freitas brings a unique blend of Portuguese and Scottish flavours to his meals.

Definitely worth a try as is the whole of East Lothian whether or not you pack your clubs.

Travel facts

East Lothian has a dedicated website for golfers. www.golfeastlothian.com HERE All 19 courses are featured plus excellent links to other golf websites.

Glen Golf Club: 01620 892726, www.glengolfclub.co.uk HERE Green fees £22 midweek £30 weekend.

Musselburgh Links Old Course 0131 665 5438.

Gullane Golf Club www.gullanegolfclub.com HERE

The Heritage of Golf 01875 870277 By appointment only.

Scottish Seabird Centre 01592 630063

Edinburgh & Lothians Tourist Board 0131 473 3800 www.edinburgh.org HERE