West Links, Beach Rd,
North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4BB
Office
+44 (0)1620 892 135Pro shop
+44 (0)1620 895 040Fax
+44 (0)1620 890 312Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Martyn Huish (Head PGA Professional), who succeeded his father David in 2009.The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Designer of original layout unknown; later extensions and modifications by Old Tom Morris and David "Davie" Strath (1876), Tom Dunn (1880s), and Ben Sayers Jr and Major Cecil K. Hutchison (1932).
56.058829
-2.727216
24 miles NE of Edinburgh
Approaching North Berwick from the west, follow A198 down the hill towards town centre. Bear left direction town centre where the A198 bears off to the right. Immediately after Bass Rock Garage turn left into Pointgarry Road. Golf is immediately on your right.
North Berwick
North Berwick Golf Club is home to one of the most scenic and enjoyable seaside links courses in Scotland. Also known as the "West Links," golf has been played here for centuries, while nearby Glen Golf Club plays home to the town's "East Links." North Berwick is laid out along the shoreline of the Firth of Forth. From most of its holes, you will enjoy fabulous views onto the Firth, as well as the islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra.
The Firth provides an immensely scenic distraction as you make your way out-and-back, but it's also responsible for North Berwick's renowned windy conditions, which can vary between a gentle sea breeze and something a tad stronger. Based on a classic shore-hugging open links format, one nine is invariably played into the wind, the other against. The plentiful bunkering and firm fast greens are usually immaculately presented. The rough, you'll be pleased to discover, is generally not too penal, but be careful of stone walls that create an additional hazard on a few of the holes.
The most fun you'll ever have on a golf course, might just come on North Berwick's closing stretch. Among many wonderful holes, the well-bunkered par-3 15th (Redan) has been copied on numerous courses around the world. Much less replicated is the short par-4 13th (Pit), with a wall to clear directly in front of the green. As the Club advises, "don't argue with the wall, it's older than you are." The par-4 16th (Gate) is home to one of the longest, narrowest putting surfaces you'll find in golf, made even more challenging by a deep gully that cleaves the green in two.
If a hard westerly wind is blowing at the wide-open and bunkerless par-4 18th, you might be tempted (momentarily) to aim your tee shot out-of-bounds over the car park, and let the wind bring it back to the fairway - a knee-trembling and possibly expensive strategy. It's just as scary if a hard easterly is blowing! In addition to great tradition and hospitality, North Berwick offers a unique and fun golfing challenge - don't miss it!
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2019].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available if requested in advance.
Good
North Berwick is reputedly the 13th oldest golf club in the world; it is also said to be the world's second oldest continually used links golf course. The club has a long and proud history that has included staging many top level tournaments, including final qualifying for the Open Championship. For more details view Top Golf Tournaments at North Berwick Golf Club.
World: 37th best course in the world (GOLF magazine, 2020/21).
GB&I: 19th best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2020/21).
Scotland: 5th best course in Scotland (Golf World, 2021).
Cromwell Road, North Berwick EH39 4LZ
+44 (0)1620 892 406
Visit websiteThe Marine Hotel & Spa is at the heart of the East Lothian golfing coast; the hotel overlooks the 16th green of North Berwick’s Championship West Links course.
No
North Berwick; Glen; Muirfield; Gullane (No.1, No.2 and No.3 courses).
Dunbar; Luffness New
Dirleton, East Lothian EH39 5EG
+44 (0)1620 850 241
Visit websiteSitting opposite 13th century Dirleton Castle, this long established, family run hotel is ideally located to access the many excellent golf courses in East Lothian.
No
Muirfield; Gullane (No.1, No.2 and No.3 courses); Luffness New; North Berwick; Glen.
Dunbar; Royal Musselburgh.
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