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Center of the Golfing Universe |
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North
Berwick West Links
North Berwick, Lothian District, Scotland
Length & Par:
Championship: Par 71, 6420 yards
Visitors: Par 70, 6033 yards
Ladies: Par 74, 5751
NORTH BERWICK'S
EXPOSURE TO THE
NORTH SEA ADDS TO ITS CHALLENGE
AND ITS NATURAL LINKS BEAUTY.
Open & Playable Year Round
Greens Fees: £40/weekday; £80/weekend
Club Rental: YES
Motorized Carts: NO
Location: On Beach Road, North Berwick, Lothian Coast.
23 miles east of Edinburgh on A198.
Bookings: Tel: +44 (0)1620 892135
Fax: +44 (0)1620 893274
Minimum Handicap Required: Men: 24; Ladies: 36
Nearest Home at First lodgings:
Edinburgh- 40 min.
west
Central Highlands-
2.5 hours west
Borders- 1.5 hours
south
Glasgow- 2.5 hours
west
The West Links at North
Berwick is another well-known course among many east of Edinburgh on the Lothian Coast of
Scotland, just across the broad Firth of Forth from the Fife Coast, and due south of St. Andrews. The West Links is a British Open qualifying course
when the Open is at neighboring Muirfield, throngs of faithful
pilgrims are expected.
As such, the West Links at North Berwick is
just another pearl on the string of east coast Scottish links courses. It would be much
more celebrated if located, say, on the Welsh or Cornish coasts. Founded in 1832, the
course was designed by a notable early great course architect, MacKenzie Ross (best known
for Turnberry on Scotland's west coast), and it remains a public, year-round course
unrestricted to visitors, except by handicap (but advance tee-times strongly recommended).
A true links course, it undulates over a raised beach 10 to 30 feet above sea level. The
West Links provides blind holes, drives over walls and across burns, shots over the bay,
and man-sized bunkers. And, oh yeah, the West Links is
currently rated #50 in the world outside of the USA by GolfWeb.com.
Several North Berwick holes have been copied by
designers of other courses, including the 376-yard 14th named 'Perfection' and the 192
yard 15th called 'Redan'. All West Links holes have fascinating names such as Mizzentop,
Bos'ns Locker, the Pit, and Linkhouse, former site of a ginger beer stand a century ago.
Considered one of the most scenic courses in Scotland, and appreciated for several
memorable holes, when compared with other better known courses in the region, North
Berwick can be considered a value golfing experience and very accessible to the average
golfer.
Want to learn about
other courses throughout the British Isles
including some of the greatest tests of golf in the world?
See our SCOTLAND, IRELAND, ENGLAND, and WALES Course Guides for more information.