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North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland
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The North Berwick Golf Club

East Lothian, Scotland

The ever-constant wind, unique individual hole designs, and cleverly placed bunkers at North Berwick Golf Club are a challenge for even the most seasoned golfer, regardless of handicap. In fact, the basic hole design has been copied countless times around the world by all the great golf architects – although this course was designed more by Mother Nature than man.

The North Berwick Golf Course is one stop on the picturesque Edinburgh & East Lothian Golf Tour in Scotland. It is also one of the most scenic rounds in golf, with fantastic views of Fidra Island – the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, and Bass Rock – home to one of the world’s largest gannet colonies.

Course Details

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World Top 50 Golf Course
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Open Rota Venue
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Range of tees from 5,751 – 6,420 yards
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Founded in 1832
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Ideal Location for an East Lothian Golf Tour
North Berwick Golf Club

North Berwick Highlights

The North Berwick Golf Club boasts one of the world’s most famous original par 3s, The Redan. The 15th measures 189 yards from the championship tee with a severely sloping green from front right-to-back left, a classic Redan hole.

Cleverly placed deep bunkers front left and three pot bunkers front right combined with the Scottish wind will test even the lowest handicap golfers.

C.B. Macdonald, considered by many the father of American golf architecture and his protégé Seth Raynor, utilized a form of this original Redan design on many of their famous routings – including the Par 3 4th at the National Golf Links on Long Island. The Redan and the Reverse Redan are also favorites for today’s acclaimed architects among them Tom Doak and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in their course routings.

The 4-hole stretch from the 13th to the 16th is as distinctively Scottish and as imaginative a collection of golf holes found anywhere. The short par 4 13th, aptly named The Pit, features a stonewall instead of bunkers guarding the green. The Gate the par-4 3rd hole also features a stonewall as a hazard, this time across the fairway.

The par 4 14th, a classic Narrows design, called Perfection, requires 2 “perfect” shots to hit the green. Along with the Redan hole it was also included in C.B. Macdonald’s 1906 “18 Ideal holes” from around the world.

The par 4 16th has a stonewall off the tee and a following burn across the fairway that requires a moderately long carry. The hole ends with a green unlike any you have played – narrow, with two separate plateaus for pin placements and a deep gully separating the two halves.

Because of its unique place in the history of golf course architecture, and that it is one of the most fun and unique courses to play anywhere, visitor tee times are at a premium. There are actually four local private clubs with playing privileges onto The West Links – The North Berwick Golf Club, North Berwick Ladies Golf Club, the Tantallon Golf Club and the Bass Rock Golf Club.

While visitor times are unfortunately already closed for the 2023 season, their diary will reopen on April 3, 2023 for 2024 bookings and we encourage you to plan early so as to not be disappointed on your Scotland golf trip.

Location

Club Ho/Westgate, North Berwick EH39 4AH, UK

Experience North Berwick Golf Club’s Timeless Appeal

Founded in 1832, North Berwick represents one of Scotland’s most cherished golf destinations, steeped in centuries of tradition and community spirit. This historic seaside town on Lothian’s eastern coast enjoys tremendous scenery with its dramatic coastal terrain.

North Berwick’s standout feature is the blending of challenge with adventure and fun that permeates the entire town. The landscape showcases rumpled terrain and ancient stonewalls that tell stories of Scotland’s rich heritage, while the dramatic backdrop of Fidra Island, famously inspiring Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, and Bass Rock with its massive gannet colony create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

For many, a trip to North Berwick isn’t about competitive pursuits but about basking in authentic Scottish tradition among a community that genuinely loves and appreciates the game’s heritage. The town radiates welcoming warmth where visitors become part of a centuries-old story, surrounded by breathtaking coastal vistas and the timeless rhythms of seaside life.

North Berwick Golf Club

The Rich Golfing History of North Berwick Golf Club

North Berwick Golf Club began with distinguished style on June 4th, 1832, when Captain Sir David Baird of Newbyth teed off over the original six holes on the west links. The ten founding members were drawn from what might have been described as “gentry and nobility” living in the surrounding area, establishing North Berwick as the 13th oldest golf club in the world and only St Andrews hosts a club which has played continuously over the same course for longer.

The course evolved dramatically from its humble beginnings, expanding to 18 holes by 1877 and reaching its full length of 6,095 yards by 1895. The last major alteration was masterminded by Ben Sayers in 1932, since when the layout has hardly changed, allowing the natural terrain to shape the playing experience while preserving its unique character through careful, considered development.

Interesting Facts About North Berwick

No11 Edinburgh Hotel

Best accommodation for golf at North Berwick Golf Club

For a stylish and welcoming base during your Edinburgh stay, No11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie is a top choice. Housed in a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse, it combines the charm of period architecture with modern comfort — think luxurious rooms, plush bedding, and thoughtful Scottish touches. 

Its location, just a short walk from the city centre, plus the friendly, attentive service makes No11 ideal for both leisurely weekends and special culinary getaways.

“At North Berwick, creativity is your greatest weapon. This classic links invites you to use imagination: bump-and-runs, bank shots, even putts from 30 yards off the green can all work beautifully. The seaside winds and quirky contours reward adaptability far more than precision. Stay below the hole on the famed “Redan” and trust the slopes to feed your ball toward safety. “
Tips from our expert, Euan Findlay
Edinburgh Castle

Take an East Lothian Golf Tour

Combine the sights of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, with the great courses of the East Lothian peninsula.

8 nights 4* accommodation and 7 rounds of golf

Prices starting from $9,085 per golfer

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North Berwick FAQs

You can book a tee time through Premier Golf. We offer custom golf trips to Edinburgh and East Lothian, which includes North Berwick.

You can book a golf trip through Premier Golf. We offer custom golf trips to Edinburgh and East Lothian, which includes North Berwick.

North Berwick Golf Club is open to the public. Visitors are welcome to play at the club.

All Premier Golf packages include tee times and accommodations. Some packages may also include transportation, meals, and other activities.

Yes, Premier Golf packages can accommodate non-golfers. Non-golfers can enjoy a variety of activities in the area, such as shopping, sightseeing, and dining.