North Berwick — West Links¶
Arguably the most "sea on every hole" links in Scotland, along with Gullane No.1 and Muirfield. An old-fashioned out-and-back links with the sea in play on six holes, stone walls in fairways and in front of greens, burns, blind shots and shared greens — the most influential template course in golf architecture. Founded 1832, the 13th-oldest club in the world.
Location¶
North Berwick, East Lothian — about 40 miles from St Andrews, ~1h15 drive via the Forth Road Bridge. Map.
The Course¶
Par 71, 6,420 yds. Home of the Redan (15th, 190 yds) — the original template par 3 copied worldwide (Shinnecock Hills, NGLA and hundreds more): an elevated diagonal green falling away to the sea; and the Pit (13th, 387 yds), a short par 4 to a sunken green behind a low stone wall. The 14th "Perfection" is a blind pitch over a valley to the sea; the 16th "Gate" has a divided green — two raised plateaus separated by a deep channel. Stone walls (the March Dyke among them) thread the fairways. Grew from six holes to eighteen by 1877, with its final major extension in 1895 and Ben Sayers reshaping it in 1932. Four clubs play over the links, owned by East Lothian Council.
Scorecard¶
White tees (source: club scorecard, northberwickgolfclub.com):
| Hole | Name | Par | SI | Yds | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Point Garry (Out) | 4 | 9 | 322 | 294 |
| 2 | Sea | 4 | 11 | 429 | 392 |
| 3 | Trap | 4 | 1 | 476 | 435 |
| 4 | Carlekemp | 3 | 15 | 178 | 163 |
| 5 | Bunkershill | 4 | 5 | 371 | 339 |
| 6 | Quarry | 3 | 17 | 182 | 166 |
| 7 | Eil Burn | 4 | 3 | 365 | 334 |
| 8 | Linkhouse | 5 | 13 | 532 | 486 |
| 9 | Mizzentop | 5 | 7 | 519 | 475 |
| 10 | Eastward Ho! | 3 | 18 | 172 | 157 |
| 11 | Bos'ns Locker | 5 | 2 | 546 | 499 |
| 12 | Bass | 4 | 8 | 425 | 389 |
| 13 | Pit | 4 | 12 | 387 | 354 |
| 14 | Perfection | 4 | 6 | 374 | 342 |
| 15 | Redan | 3 | 14 | 190 | 174 |
| 16 | Gate | 4 | 4 | 378 | 346 |
| 17 | Point Garry (In) | 4 | 10 | 428 | 391 |
| 18 | Home | 4 | 16 | 277 | 253 |
History¶
1832 (founding); 1895 (final major extension); Ben Sayers, 1932. Open qualifying venue (most recently 2013), host of the 2025 Scottish Men's Open. GOLF Top 100 World #25 (2025/26).
Playing It¶
Green fees: £320 (2026, Apr–Oct); £220 March; £165 Scottish resident rate (March & November). Visitors Mon–Thu 11:00–14:30 and Sun 12:00–15:30 — no visitors Friday or Saturday. Book at northberwickgolfclub.com.
Getting There¶
Car: A921/A198 coastal route or M90→Forth Road Bridge→A198; ~1h15 from St Andrews. Direct train from Edinburgh (~35 min) if coming from the city.
Notes¶
It cheats 15 minutes past the one-hour rule — the drive is just slightly annoying, and the course repays it. Pair with Gullane or Muirfield for an East Lothian day.