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Birdie Brae

A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer

East Lothian

The Glen Golf Club, North Berwick

North Berwick, East Lothian

Plate ILinks course — coastal exposure, firm running turf

Holes
18
6,321 yards
Par
70
Type
Links
East Lothian
Walkability
★★★★☆
Confirmed 2/5
Best Season
May–Sep
Year-round, best Apr–Oct
Visitor Access
Open
Mid-week ideal

The other North Berwick course, half the price of the West Links and quietly excellent.

From the Notebook

The Glen — locally also known as the East Links — is North Berwick's second course, a separate club from the more famous West Links. The two sit at opposite ends of the same coastal town, both genuine links, but with completely different characters. The Glen is shorter, hillier, more dramatic on the eye, and roughly half the price.

The course occupies an elevated coastal strip on the eastern side of North Berwick, with views over the Firth of Forth to Bass Rock on one side and the Lammermuir Hills on the other. The 13th, played from a clifftop tee with the rock formations of Tantallon Castle in the distance, is one of the more photographed short par 4s in Scottish golf. The 14th and 15th continue the cliff stretch.

Where the West Links is steeped in history (the Redan, the Pit, the famous shared greens with the town's harbour wall) the Glen is more about scenery and friendly weekend golf. Visitor fees of £65 weekday make it one of the better-value links rounds in East Lothian. No handicap certificate required, no formal dress code beyond the obvious, and a clubhouse that's a working pub for the village.

For visitors doing the East Lothian coast, the Glen pairs sensibly with North Berwick West (£275 combined for the two), or as a half-price alternative on a tighter budget. Equally good standalone — half a day, six pints of memory.

One Hole Worth Talking About

The hole everyone remembers.

13Par 4 · 255 yards

Tantallon

From the clifftop tee the line of play runs toward Tantallon Castle — a 14th-century fortress on a headland above the sea, three miles east, partially ruined and still standing in a way that most 14th-century construction cannot manage. The hole is short enough that the driver is not always the answer; a controlled long iron or fairway wood from the cliff edge sets up a straightforward pitch that the aggressive drive from the wrong angle turns into a recovery from rough. The Bass Rock is visible to the north. At this elevation on a clear East Lothian afternoon, it is difficult to think of a more cost-effective panorama in Scottish golf.

The Full Scorecard

Everything else you might want to know.

Course

Designer
James Braid & Ben Sayers, 1905–08
Founded
1894
Style era
Edwardian (clifftop links)
Yardage (W)
6,321 yards
Yardage (Y)
Contact club
Yardage (R)
Contact club
Course rating
Contact club
Slope rating
Contact club
Bunkers
Contact club
Greens
Contact club
Walking time
Contact club
Open season
Year-round, best Apr–Oct

Visitor

Dress code
Smart casual, collared shirts
Spikes
Soft only
Booking
Contact club
Twilight
Contact club
Winter rate
Contact club
Senior
Contact club
Junior
Contact club
Buggy
Not available
Trolley
Contact club
Caddie
Contact club

Practical

Address
North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 4LE
Phone
01620 892221
Nearest train
Drem
Nearest airport
Edinburgh (EDI) (45 min)
Parking
Free
Wi-Fi
Yes, clubhouse
Card payment
Yes
Membership
Contact club
Joining fee
Contact club
Waiting list
Contact club

Fields marked “Contact club” aren’t public-facing in a way we’ve been able to verify. Call the club directly for these — we’ll update the entry when we have it from source.

Conditions This Week

What's the weather doing?

Fetching conditions…

Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →

Location

The Glen Golf Club, North Berwick on the map

North Berwick, East Lothian · EH39 4LEOpen in OpenStreetMap →

While They Golf

For the non-golfer in the party.

East Lothian isn't only for the golfers. Walks, drives, distilleries, castles, a long lunch — five picks within thirty minutes of the first tee.

The East Lothian companion guide →

★ Pair This Round ★

A morning at The Glen Golf Club, North Berwick, an afternoon worth the drive.

Three things within an hour of the first tee. Each open to visitors; each chosen for what suits a golfer's pace, not a tour bus's.

Wildlife Centre · 5 min in town

Scottish Seabird Centre

North Berwick · Opened 2000

Live cameras on the Bass Rock gannet colony — the world's largest.

Entry from £14Visit on the day

Castle · 5 min east

Tantallon Castle

near North Berwick · Built around 1350

Red sandstone clifftop fortress facing Bass Rock.

Entry from £10Visit on the day

Restaurant · 5 min in town

Lobster Shack at the harbour

North Berwick harbour · Seasonal harbour shack

Locally-landed lobster, crab and chips on the harbour wall.

Lunch from £15Visit on the day

Plan This Round

Three things to sort before you tee off.

Played here? Consider

Three things worth packing.

Picked for links rounds on the Scottish coast.

Outerwear

Galvin Green Andres jacket

Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.

Layer

Sunderland of Scotland half-zip

Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.

Tech

Garmin Approach S70 GPS

Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.

Stays Nearby

Where to stay near North Berwick

Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of North Berwick. Tap any property to check rates.

Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.

Frequently Asked

Visitors usually want to know.

Can visitors play at weekends?
Visitors are welcome but mid-week is markedly easier and quieter. Confirm a weekend tee time as far ahead as you can — popular Saturdays book up first.
How early can I book a tee time?
Phone or email the pro shop to confirm. Most Scottish clubs accept visitor bookings 7–30 days ahead; group bookings of 8+ can be arranged further ahead.
Is there a dress code?
Smart casual, collared shirts. Soft only.
Are buggies allowed?
Buggies are not generally available — the course is walked. Hire a trolley at the pro shop if you'd rather not carry.
What's the best time of year to play?
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep for full conditions. Late May and early Sep are quietest with fair value. Year-round, best Apr–Oct.
Cite this page: birdiebrae.co.uk/courses/the-glen-north-berwickLast verified 14 May 2026 by Birdie Brae editorial · Report a change

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