North Berwick

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North Berwick West Links © 2006 by Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Serious Golf With A Sense Of Humor I could summarize this quixotic course in two words and be done with this write-up--PLAY IT! However, I'm not going to let you off that easily because North Berwick West Links is one of my all-time favorite courses, a definite must play, and I'm eager to tell you about it. From the back of the 1st green you can see how closely the golf course is wedded to the sea and the town. The teeing area is about in the center of the photo. Seven holes border the beach. The others are within a chip shot of the beach. This, the second hole, taken from the tee, will give you a taste of what's to come. By the way, the beach is not out of bounds. You can actually go down there and play your ball--if you can find it and the tide hasn't come in. Golf has been played on the West Links of North Berwick for centuries. Only The Old Course at St. Andrews has witnessed more golfing activity. I have to confess that the first time we came to this area I had never heard of North Berwick West Links. Sure, I had heard of Muirfield, which is just down the road in Gullane--who hasn't heard of Muirfield? But North Berwick West Links? Was I in for a great surprise and a great treat! After the first round I was so enthusiastic about this course that I did some research on it and discovered it is one of the most famous courses in the world of golf. In fact, one of the holes, the 15th, called REDAN, (see below) is the most copied par 3 hole in golf design and is on virtually everyone's list as one of the 18 most famous holes in golf. But one hole does not a great golf course make. When you play this amazing course you will be hitting over dunes, streams, stone walls, yawning bunkers and sandy beaches. Not only is it an historic and venerable course, with its commanding views of the sea (the Forth estuary), it is one of the most beautiful and stimulating true links courses anywhere. Every hole sets a different problem of length, wind, risk/reward, club choice, and much more. The R & A think so much of it that they use it as one of the final qualifying courses for the Open Championship. The famous 15th at North Berwick--THE REDAN--viewed from the tee. Don't let the looks of this 192 yard par 3 decieve you. Of course you can see the bunkers in the front but what you don't see are other fierce bunkers and a green that is diagonally oriented, sloped and plateaued. Not enough? Look at the next picture and see how the redan (ridge) actually protects the green and makes this such a unique hole. No wonder it is the most copied hole in golf. THE REDAN viewed from the right side. Note the ridge (the redan) on the left and the valley between the ridge and the green. Anything short will roll into this valley of death, leaving you with a tricky chip up to a sloping green. And the deep bunkers on the right are no bargain either. All-in-all this is a "cracker" of a hole. Some Unusual Play -- At North Berwick West Links you will be playing some amazing and unusual holes. You will be putting on one green, the 16th, that is 186 feet long and is actually made up of two distinct mounded greens--plateaus actually--with a huge swale that is part of the green and three or four feet deep, separating the two plateaus. (See picture below.) I had never seen a green like this before in my life. I was almost wishing my ball would hit the "wrong" half of the green so I could putt across the deep valley. A local story has it that the year Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus played in the Open Championship at Muirfield and were staying at the Marine Hotel here in North Berwick (which is right next to this green and in easy view of the rooms) and were so fascinated with the unusual green they took their putters out and were hitting balls on it to see if they could putt through the huge valley. The story goes that the Course Marshall did not recognize them and chased them off. The story may be apocryphal but it is certainly believable, because I doubt either Watson or Nicklaus has seen many greens, or ANY greens, as unusual as this one. Number 16 green. Yes, this really is one green. It extends from the extreme left of the picture to the extreme right of the plateau on the right. You can see the flag is placed on the left plateau today. Heaven help you if your approach shot lands on the wrong plateau. A four putt from there is not unusual. Other holes are just as fascinating. On the 3rd you line your tee shot with a gap in the wall that is about 300 yards away before hitting over the burn (stream) that weaves back and forth along the course. On the 5th hole you drive over a paved road that, from time to time may have hikers on it or people walking dogs. The 7th offers the burn again--this time it slices directly in front of the green, only a few yards from the edge. It makes for an intimidating second shot. The 13th has a 4' high stone wall that separates the fairway on one side from the green on the other! The 15th-the famous Redan--well...you'll just have to see for yourself. As I said, it's serious golf with a great sense of humor. With all of its eccentricities it's a championship course all the way and one of the most amazing courses you will ever play. Whatever other courses you play while in this area, be sure you play this one! Golf Nook Scotland rating -- a solid HOLE-IN-ONE. This is the kind of scenery that will accompany you on your round. Green Fees: effective 1 March 2005 March thru October Weekdays: Round - £55 Day ticket - £80 Weekends: Round - £75 November thru February Weekdays: Round - £25 Weekend: Round - £30 Day ticket - Not available on weekends A non-refundable booking fee of £10 per person is required. On the day of your visit the cost of each Round/Day Ticket will be reduced by £10. Players must hold valid club handicaps and may be required by the Starter to produce current handicap certificates. Scorecard # Hole Name Medal Blue Par SI Ladies Par SI 1 Point Gary (out) 328 314 4 9 309 4 2 Sea 431 417 4 11 403 5 3 Trap 464 448 4 1 434 4 4 Carlkemp 175 166 3 15 162 3 5 Bunkerhill 373 361 4 5 315 4 6 Quarry 162 140 3 17 126 3 7 Eil Burn 354 334 4 3 327 4 8 Linkhouse 495 462 5/4 13 418 5 9 Mizzentop 510 490 5 7 433 5 Out 3292 3132 36/35 2927 37 10 Eastward Ho! 176 154 3 18 146 3 11 Bos'ns Locker 550 489 5 2 459 5 12 Bass 389 369 4 8 354 4 13 Pit 365 339 4 12 327 4 14 Perfection 376 359 4 6 344 4 15 Redan 192 180 3 14 164 3 16 Gate 381 364 4 4 374 4 17 Point Garry (in) 425 381 4 10 412 5 18 Home 274 266 4 16 244 4 In 3128 2901 35 2824 36 Out 3292 3132 36/35 2927 37 Total 6420 6033 71/70 5751 73 SSS - 71 Directions: It's on the west side of the town of North Berwick on A198. The town's not that big, so just head for the water. You can't miss the golf course. Miscellaneous Notes -- The fine clubhouse facilities are made available to visitors where you can change and shower. The dress code in the clubhouse and restaruant is smart casual. Jacket and tie are NOT required. However, no hats, jeans, rain or windproof clothing, or training shoes (sneakers) are permitted. Visitors are also asked to note that golf shoes, including soft-spikes, are only permitted in the changing rooms. Stocking feet are not allowed. There is also a good restaurant serving drinks and good bar food. The restaurant is also available for catering if you have a large group. Also, there's a fully stocked pro shop with club rentals available. There is no driving range. Professional and Course Manager: David Huish Secretary: Norman A. Wilson North Berwick West Links New Clubhouse, Beach Road North Berwick East Lothian, EH39 4BB Scotland Telephone numbers: Professional & Course Manager: (0) 1620 892135 Starter: " 892666 Steward: " 894766 Professional Shop: " 893233 Advance Booking Office: Norma A. Ogg - " 892135 Fax: Advance Bookings: " 893264 Website: N/A e-mail: bookingsnbgc@aol.com northberwickgc@aol.com *For WHAT TO DO ALL DAY, please see the North Berwick Golf Coast area.