When you ask experienced links golf travelers about their favorite course, North Berwick is often mentioned. After a round here, you’ll quickly understand why this links course has captured the hearts of so many. North Berwick West Links offers a perfect balance of rich history, excellent fairways, and pure enjoyment.
A golf course’s allure lies not only in its challenge but also in its setting, the quality of its land, and the character of its holes. North Berwick Golf Club excels on all fronts, consistently regarded as a standout links experience and one of the most beloved courses worldwide.
Golf has been played on the historic grounds of the West Links since the 1600s. Located on the shores of Scotland’s Firth of Forth, in the heart of the charming town of North Berwick, the course provides a dramatic coastal backdrop, blending challenge with sheer fun.
Founded in 1832, North Berwick Golf Club is among Scotland's finest and its course is typically ranked among the top five links courses in the country. The West Links course presents a classic “out and in” layout in a loose figure-eight routing, winding along the coast to maximize its stunning setting. It offers all the characters of links golf: dunes, pot bunkers, contoured greens, and even stone walls. Golfers will also encounter burns, blind shots, and even shots over the beach, making each round an adventure.
The course is filled with famous holes. You’ll love the 13th, a short par 4 known as “Pit.” This hole has the smallest green on the course, located just behind a stone wall, and calls for an imaginative approach to reach it.
One of the most renowned holes, the par-3 15th, known as “Redan,” is said to be the most copied hole in the golfing world. “Redan,” a military term for a defensive fortification, lives up to its name with a variety of obstacles that must be navigated to reach the green on this lengthy par 3.
Another iconic hole is the 18th. Though relatively short at 285 yards, its fairway runs close to parked cars on the edge of town, adding one last element of challenge before golfers enter the historic clubhouse. Be sure to take time to explore the club’s treasures after your round.
Beyond the fairways, North Berwick itself is a delightful coastal town in East Lothian, just a 30-minute train ride from Edinburgh. Known for its scenic beaches and the famous Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Bass Rock, visible from the golf course, is home to the world’s largest northern gannet colony. The town’s charming main street is filled with a mix of shops, cafes, tearooms, and pubs, making it a unique place to explore after a round of golf.
North Berwick has rightfully earned its place among the world’s best links destinations.
