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Golf in North Berwick
By Michael Donaldson, Golf Correspondent
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The 13th green "Sea Hole" at the East Links with Bass Rock in the background |
Golf lovers from all over the world flood to North Berwick each year to sample the superb golf courses the area has to offer. The seaside town has a plethora of outstanding courses in its vicinity - each one unique, challenging and kept in exceptional condition.
Within the town itself you have the West Links and the East links, both are played along the rugged coastline of the Firth of Forth and offer some amazing picturesque views across the water.
The West Links is a stunning championship course, and is generally regarded as one of the best links courses in Scotland. The course is sprinkled with stunning holes, many of which have been copied the world over.
 If you love golf, you will love East Lothian. |
The East Links, also known as The Glen, combines traits of a parkland course with an eye-catching links setting. Every hole offers a different view of the Firth of Forth, and elevated tees and greens means each hole is challenging and unique.
Just outside the town you find Whitekirk Golf and Country Club. Whitekirk boasts superb facilities including an 18 hole championship golf course, a driving range, health spa and a high class restaurant. Whitekirk hosts an event on the Euro-Pro tour each year.
Slightly further a field you find Gullane, a world renowned name in golf. Gullane is home to four courses including Open Championship venue Muirfield - which is believed to be the fairest test of links golf anywhere in the world. The sleepy hamlet is also home to three other magnificent courses, namely, Gullane No.1, No.2 and No.3. All three offer different tests of links golf, and are all in superb condition with outstanding links greens.
Just a few minutes from Gullane you come across Aberlady, another small village which boasts three terrific golf courses. Luffness is located between Gullane and Aberlady and is a championship course famous for its true greens and amazing views. Craigielaw is one of East Lothian's newest golf clubs, but is already playing to a very high standard. Kilspindie is a moderate length links course, but is still a real test of golf. Straight hitting is essential as fairways are often tight with pins tucked away.
A new addition to the North Berwick golfing spectrum is Archerfield Links, a private members club with two 18 hole courses. Both courses are relatively new, but are kept in fabulous condition with undulating fairways and deep bunkers.
Golf in East Lothian
East Lothian is home to a number of the world’s most stunning and spectacular golf courses - boasting stunning panoramic views and some of the most exciting and challenging holes in golf.
Everywhere you go in the county there is a first-class golf course near by, where any standard of player can enjoy the delights of traditional Scottish golf. Some courses you will recognise, such North Berwick, Gullane and Muirfield, but there are other undiscovered gems which are just as charming and testing.
As you come down the coast from Edinburgh you first arrive at Musselburgh, home to three exceptional courses. Musselburgh Monktonhall and Royal Musselburgh are both stunning championship courses which will test the best quality of golfer. The Honest town also boasts the oldest playing golf course in the world - Musselburgh Links.
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As you come down the coast from Edinburgh you first arrive at Musselburgh, home to three exceptional courses |
Further down the coast you come to Longniddry, which has a beautiful course containing both parkland and links features. Turning inland you then reach Haddington and Gifford, which have three courses between them. Each are unique and spectacular, with Haddington being a flat parkland course, Gifford a testing short nine-holer, and Castle Park an undulating test with breathtaking views.
Turning back towards the coast the next port of call is Aberlady, which is a charming hamlet with three outstanding courses. Craigielaw is a relatively new course but is already playing to a very high standard and has tight fairways and penalising rough. Kilspindie is a delightful moderate length links course set in idyllic surroundings.
Continuing your way along the Firth of Forth you come to Gullane, a world renowned name in golf. The spectacular Gullane No 1, 2 and 3 are all first class courses with superb greens and amazing panoramic views. Luffness is another terrific course famous for its long par 4’s and superb putting surfaces. Gullane is also home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield. This Open Championship venue is generally regarded as the fairest test of links golf anywhere in the world.
Moving on from Gullane you come to North Berwick, another well-known name in the world of golf. North Berwick is home to four amazing courses, all different from each other and all spectacular and beautiful. North Berwick West Links is a superb championship course with stunning views and unique holes which have been copied the world over. The East Links, known as The Glen, is also a gem of a course with amazing views of the Bass Rock and the Firth of Forth. Whitekirk is a newer addition to the North Berwick CV, but is already playing to an exceptionally high standard. On the other side of the town you find Archerfield Links, a private members club with a glowing reputation.
Going further down the rugged coastline you come to Dunbar, home to the final two charms on the East Lothian golfing map. Dunbar is regarded as one of the best links courses in the area, and is also a qualifying venue for the Open Championship. Winterfield is a shorter course, but is still thought of as testing and enjoyable set in eye-catching surroundings.
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