North Berwick

[RRidges]

Not sure whether this has been Id-ed before, but some interesting history.
https://www.golfwrx.com/688465/an-e...ws-comparisons-architecture-and-full-history/

 

[KenL]

Top 5 course in Scotland, not for me it isn't.

 

[AliMc]

Top 5 course in Scotland, not for me it isn't.

Struggling to be a top 5 course in East Lothian never mind Scotland

 

[AliMc]

Just out of interest there was a group of about 50 Americans at Dunbar last week, had been in Scotland for a few weeks, someone said they thought they were from NBC possibly, anyway, they had played several courses, Turnberry, Carnoustie, one at Gleneagles, one at St Andrews and a couple through the west, a few of them said playing at Dunbar was the most fun they had, they didn't say it was the best course just the most enjoyable

 

[IanM]

Regardless of ranking, its worth the visit, or at least it was before they started charging £200.

That's nuts. Interesting how much less expensive Dunbar is

 

[AliMc]

.... and for those who are going to visit East Lothian for a game or two here are the courses that I would play before North Berwick :-
In no particular order:-
Muirfield
Archerfield (both courses)
Dunbar
Gullane (1&2, 3 isn't too bad either)
Luffness
Can't comment on The Renaissance as I haven't played it and don't know how to get on it)

I better stop now before I monopolise this thread !

 

[KenL]

Just out of interest there was a group of about 50 Americans at Dunbar last week, had been in Scotland for a few weeks, someone said they thought they were from NBC possibly, anyway, they had played several courses, Turnberry, Carnoustie, one at Gleneagles, one at St Andrews and a couple through the west, a few of them said playing at Dunbar was the most fun they had, they didn't say it was the best course just the most enjoyable

Yes, played with someone who caddied for them who told me that.

 

[KenL]

.... and for those who are going to visit East Lothian for a game or two here are the courses that I would play before North Berwick :-
In no particular order:-
Muirfield
Archerfield (both courses)
Dunbar
Gullane (1&2, 3 isn't too bad either)
Luffness
Can't comment on The Renaissance as I haven't played it and don't know how to get on it)

I better stop now before I monopolise this thread !

I'll add Kilspindie. Fabulous, if shorter, course.

 

[Jimaroid]

Unfortunately we seem to have lost contributions from our resident NB forum member. It’s in no way an underrated course - GolfWRX really are making things up for clicks and a story with that one.

Easily within the top 10 Scottish courses. Top 5 is a stretch too far when you look at what fills those spots.

However I’d say it’s a better place to be a member than some of the courses that are in that top 5 course list.

 

[sunshine]

I don't care what you guys say, I've played NB several times and I love it.

If you offered me a free trip to the Lothians I'd have NB as number 2 on my must play list after Muirfield.

 

[KenL]

@sunshine
Horses for courses.
£200 OK for you?

Gullane 1 isn't THAT great either, check the price there now too.

 

[Albo]

I’ve not played either NB or Gullane, but if they are fully booked charging at these prices then the market is clearly there for them to do so and as a business it would be foolish of them not to maximise their profit. My understanding is the waiting list for both are well into the years maybe even closed.
Do I personally like the prices, hell no, but I totally understand why they change that much.

 

[KenL]

Like most clubs around here, the waiting lists are long/closed.
Gullane has always been that way but before the pandemic you could get into NB within a year or 2.

@Albo . I understand that but is is such a shame that most of the visitors are American, Canadian, Swedish etc.
British visiting golfers are few and far between.

 

[Wabinez]

Played NB for the first time at the beginning of June.

Astonishingly good. Absolutely loved it

 

[KenL]

Played NB for the first time at the beginning of June.

Astonishingly good. Absolutely loved it

What did you think of holes 13 - 17?

 

[Bazzatron]

I thought I was playing it when I sorted our Scotland trip last year, booked North Berwick Glen instead.

 

[Zig]

Like most clubs around here, the waiting lists are long/closed.
Gullane has always been that way but before the pandemic you could get into NB within a year or 2.

@Albo . I understand that but is is such a shame that most of the visitors are American, Canadian, Swedish etc.
British visiting golfers are few and far between.

I've posted before about British golfers and UK venues. The Scots/GUI/GIU have it right with local rates etc, but that doesn't help people from England playing the best courses in the UK&Ire. Not saying they should either, but it's hard to justify the sky high rates when you live just over the border! I guess there's no reason to while they're selling out all their times anyway...

 

[KenL]

No Scot resident rates, as far as I am aware, at the likes of NB.

 

[sunshine]

@sunshine
Horses for courses.
£200 OK for you?
View attachment 43616
Gullane 1 isn't THAT great either, check the price there now too.
View attachment 43617

That's why I said FREE trip!

The prices are eye watering. The demand exists so I understand why the clubs do it.

 

[sunshine]

Like most clubs around here, the waiting lists are long/closed.

Considering the sheer numbers of courses along the coast, relative to the population, I would have expected some vacancies.

How many members do these clubs have? I'm assuming they can keep a low membership given every 4 ball of visitors brings in a £ grand of revenue. I guess there are also a high number of country members too?