The North Berwick G.C.

Situated in the heart of North Berwick, on the town's historic West Links, The North Berwick Golf Club is approximately twenty-five miles from Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. Offering wonderful views across the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock and the islands of Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra, and true links golf of exceptional quality, on a championship course that has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open on several occasions, The North Berwick Golf Club warmly welcomes visitors for a round. Founded in 1832, and playing on land where the sport has been enjoyed since the seventeenth century, The North Berwick Golf Club offers excellent practice facilities that are open to visitors and features an historic clubhouse, which has been sympathetically refurbished to ensure its past is represented, while affording members and visitors a fantastic facility to enjoy before and after a game. Golf on the West Links, and the welcome received at The North Berwick Golf Club will ensure you enjoy treasured memories on your golf break in Scotland. 

History: North Berwick Golf Club was formed in 1832. Although, golf was first played on North Berwick's links-land, much earlier, during the 17th century. Since the club's inception, golf on the West Links and the club itself have been intrinsically linked. In the early years, the ground available which was "common land", could only accommodate six holes and the members’ periodic medal competitions were played over three rounds (i.e. 18 holes altogether). Some time later it was found possible to accommodate a seventh hole within the “common land” parameters. North Berwick Golf Club had an initial founding membership of ten, which grew steadily to around sixty in the late 19th century. When the members agreed to begin the construction of a clubhouse in 1879, this project led to the formation of a new club, 'North Berwick New Golf Club' and an increase of membership. The new club took over the lease of the links, and relieved North Berwick Golf Club of all administrative and management responsibilities. However, the old club continued with a diminishing membership until 1963, when its twenty-seven remaining members agreed unanimously to amalgamate with the new club. It was then agreed that the newly-merged club be designated ‘The North Berwick Golf Club’, thus authenticating its claim to have been founded in 1832. 

North Berwick Ladies’ Golf Club was formed in 1888, and held their meetings on a nine hole course established twenty years earlier. The Ladies were originally accommodated in a timber clubhouse which stood in the grounds of the Marine Hotel. They operated their own lease for their course, and employed their own greenkeeping staff. In 1935, the Ladies began playing over the West Links and since then have shared the present clubhouse facilities as “Associate Members” of The North Berwick Golf Club. In 2005, the hitherto separate Ladies’ club was formally integrated into The North Berwick Golf Club affording the ladies full voting rights and representation on the Committee.

Steps were first taken to expand the course from its seven hole layout, in 1868. Utilisng land belonging to one of the members, the Right Hon. John Nisbet-Hamilton, the course was extended to nine holes. Subsequently, in 1877, another agreement with the Nisbet-Hamilton family resulted in a further westward extension of the links, and the establishment of a full eighteen hole course. The final major extension, taking the links yet further to the west, was completed in 1895 and resulted in a far more exacting challenge. The shortest hole was now 243 yards and the total length a respectable 6095 yards. Alterations to this layout, giving the course its present shape, were carried out under the supervision of Ben Sayers in 1932. Since then, bunkers have been added, moved and enlarged, medal tees lengthened, an irrigation system installed and putting surfaces improved, but the West Links that members and visitors play today is not so very different from the links their forebears played at the end of the nineteenth century.

The West Links. With its first tee situated a very short walk from the town of North Berwick and its bustling streets, the West Links is a championship course steeped in history. The West Links has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open and many men's and women's amateur championships. From almost every tee the course offers breath-taking views of the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock and the islands of Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra. While the sea is in play over six holes, across the links. The course is a true links and offers challenges of imagination at every turn. With bumps and hollows, burns, deep bunkers, dry stone dykes, raised greens, sunken greens, run off areas, the beach and the sea all to be negotiated, it offers great enjoyment and many a puzzle to solve during a round. The West Links is an eighteen hole, par 71 (men), par 74 (women), track. It has tees ranging from 5,737 to 6,579 yards. The North Berwick Golf Club's rich history, fabulous links, and superb clubhouse ensure this is a fantastic venue to visit and play at during a golf holiday in Scotland.

SGB Signature Hole: Many might argue that hole 14, 'Perfection', or hole 15, 'Redan', are better but after careful consideration we've concluded that we prefer this one. Name: Pit. Number: Hole 13. Measuring 333 yards (W) and 400 yards (M) from the tee, the first shot should be played to the right of centre of the fairway, although a good shot up the left side leaves an easier approach. However, two pot bunkers, a stone dyke wall, the dunes and ultimately the beach await on the left, and as the professional wryly advises, 'drive to the right of centre. Don’t argue with the wall – it’s older than you.' Even with a well struck first shot landing on either side of the fairway, there's still the wall to negotiate, with your second, as it continues to run up the hole's left flank and directly in front of the green, severing it completely from the fairway. Come up short of the wall and you'll most likely be faced with one of the most confounding shots in golf. Good luck. This amazing par 4 is one of our favourites on Scotland's Golf Coast.

The Wee Course: Originally established in 1888 as the “Ladies’ Links” the Children’s course comprises of a nine hole, Par 3, layout, situated adjacent to the 15th and 16th holes on the West Links. An ideal facility for youngsters to learn the game, the course is managed by The North Berwick Golf Club and is maintained by the club’s greenkeeping staff. Adults can play the Wee Course as long as they are accompanied by a child.

Clubhouse, Professional Shop & Practice facilities: The clubhouse at The North Berwick Golf Club has a host of amenities to be enjoyed by visitors. The original clubhouse was built in 1880 and has been developed over the years to satisfy the needs of the members and the growing number of visitors to the club each year. The original clubhouse was a single story building and housed the lockers of the Members' at the time. This is now the formal Dining Room and features the original lockers, photographs of past Captains and main honours boards. The clubhouse was refurbished in 2008 and presents the perfect environment for pre and post refreshment (see food and dining section) and reflection on your game. Modern changing facilities for both gentlemen and ladies are available on the ground floor. Facilities include: a bag store for clubs by the front door, holdall and valuables lockers in both changing rooms, and modern showers with linen towels plus shower gel, deodorant and sun block. Professional Shop: The shop stocks the latest equipment from six of the major manufacturers in golf, along with an extensive range of West Links branded clothing and merchandise from some of the leading names in the game. Lessons and coaching programmes for men, ladies and juniors of all ability levels are offered. In addition, the pro team operate an indoor golf studio located near the club. It is fully fitted with the latest Trackman technology, two full swing bays and a putting area, and brings a first-class experience to members, visitors and the general public. Due to the undulating terrain buggy hire is not an option, although push and electric trolley hire and caddie services are all available. Practice facilities: Use of practice facilities at The North Berwick Golf Club are available to visitors prior to their tee time. The club have a practice facility, which is in the middle of the golf course. Practice balls are provided through a dispenser. A club representative will guide you or provide directions to this area, if requested. (SGB can organise this for you prior to a round). Alternatively, the club have warm-up areas in close vicinity to the 1st tee. These consist of nets, a chipping area and putting green.

Food & Dining: Before or after a round of golf at The North Berwick Golf Club, visitors are warmly welcomed to the bar and lounges within the clubhouse. The bar is located on the upper floor in the Catriona Matthew and West lounges and has spectacular views of the 18th green, the 1st tee, the town, the harbour and the Firth of Forth islands. The bar is open until 10pm and has a wide range of beers, wines and spirits to choose from. Coffee and Tea are available from 8am, and breakfast is served from 9am till 12 noon. The club offer a delicious small plate menu, in addition to the main course menu. While the main course menu provides a rich variety of sea food and extensive options from the grill. Small plate, main and dessert menus are available from 12 noon until 7pm.

Accommodation: SGB partner with a number of large hotel chains in Edinburgh City Centre and on the outskirts of the city. While we work with many smaller, more intimate, ones, such as The Lodge at Craigielaw, situated across East Lothian. In addition, we have partnerships with a number of letting agencies, including North Berwick Holiday Homes, to ensure we provide a fantastic suite of accommodation options across Edinburgh & the East. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.

 

Featured deal: 

 

Typical packages include:

• Accommodation in The Lodge at Craigielaw, or an alternative hotel, lodge, apartment or signature villa
• A round on the West Links at The North Berwick Golf Club
• A round at Glen Golf Club
• A round at Dunbar Golf Club
• Dinner Reservation @ the clubhouse, The North Berwick Golf Club
• Full Scottish Breakfast
• Use of resort facilities: Access to changing & locker-rooms, and practice facilities at The North Berwick Golf Club

 

Packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Edinburgh & the East, and or other regions within Scotland.

 

Additional services:

• Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
• Executive travel
• Caddie service

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