The West Links course at North Berwick Golf Club course has hosted final qualifying for the Open Championship in recent years, and is a links in the traditional sense; golfers must negotiate deep, revetted pot-bunkers, blind drives and devilish burns.
Golf writer Gary Williams called the 13th hole (Pit) "one of the great short par-4s in the world," and he's not wrong. There are more than a few holes that stand out at North Berwick, many have been duplicated throughout the world, but the most notable may be the 14th and 15th. The former is named ‘Perfection', apparently because it takes two perfect shots to master it. It may also have something to do with the views over the Bass Rock, which sits imposingly in the Firth of Forth, and is home to the world's largest gannet population.
The 15th, ‘Redan', is the classic par-3 which has reputedly been the subject of a number of copies in modern golf course design, featuring a vast hidden gully front-right of the green. Packed-full of character, North Berwick is a classic Scottish links.
The West Links course is not the longest in Scotland but it is fun to play and provides a unique round of golf. Navigating your way around the course you will come across stone walls, cavernous bunkers, humps, hollows and burns as well as the odd blind shot.
North Berwick is ranked as one of the best courses in Scotland and is a must play course when on a golf break around Edinburgh.
Course Information
| Par |
71 |
| Designed by |
David Strath, Ben Sayers |
| Opened for play |
1832 |
Tees
| White |
6,420 yards |
SSS 71 |
| Blue |
6,033 yards |
SSS 70 |
| Red |
5,751 yards |
SSS 74 |
The Wee course at North Berwick Golf Club is great for encouraging children to take up the game of golf before venturing on to the more challenging terrain of the West Links.
Originally established as the 'Ladies Links' in 1868 the Wee course is a 9 hole layout of Par 3's situated adjacent to the 15th and 16th holes of the West Links.
Clubhouse and facilities
The original 1880 clubhouse has been developed over the years to now include modern changing facilities for both ladies and gentlemen. A bag store is available for your golf clubs as well as lockers for clothes and valuables.
The bar is a perfect place to relax with a drink after your round, located on the upper floor of the clubhouse as well as the East and West lounges. Spectacular views are on offer of the 18th green, 1st tee, North Berwick town, harbour, the Firth of Forth and the islands of Bass Rock.
How to get to North Berwick Golf Club
North Berwick Golf Club is located in the centre of North Berwick less than half a mile from the train station, with good access from the A1.
Address: Beach Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland, EH39 4BB
