5 Things You Didn’t Know About North Berwick (West)

North Berwick (West) has played host to the sport of golf since the early 17th century onward. In fact, only the residents of St. Andrews have played golf for a longer continuous stretch on the same piece of land. Widely acclaimed for its handful of “template” holes and features—Pit, Redan, and the first Biarritz green—North […]
Must-Play Links Courses That Have Never Hosted the Open Championship

Since its inception at Prestwick in 1860, the Open Championship has captivated golfers the world over. Justly branded as “golf’s original championship,” The Open, as it’s often casually called, has played host to stunning outcomes, dramatic storylines, and exceptional performances. Yet, across more than 160 years, the championship has been contested at only 14 courses. […]
18 Exceptional Golf Courses in the Shadow of the Open Championship Venues

“Why then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.” —The Merry Wives of Windsor Smiling at these words, you put down your book of Shakespeare and fall into a deep sleep. Now begins a remarkably vivid dream that fuses the quote with your other favorite subjects: golf and travel. The dream begins […]
What Makes A Green Great?

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of interesting greens to the rank, renown, and reputation of a golf course. It would be similarly tough accumulating all the telling quotes the great architects have submitted on the subject—but here are a few: “Putting greens constructed with relation to the length and topography of the […]
Template Holes: Golf’s Most Mimicked Designs

“But don’t let famed holes…such as the ‘Alps’ of Prestwick and ‘Redan’ of North Berwick, lead you into attempting to reproduce them. In trying to make your course fit certain famous hole treatments, you are certain to be doomed to disappointment.” —DONALD ROSS, Golf Has Never Failed Me Sorry, Don. They didn’t listen. The idea […]
The “Wall of Death” and 5 Other Must-See Features on Courses Outside the U.S.

When golf architect Brian Curley was pitching ownership about his vision for the fourth course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, he stressed the need for something unique and exciting to stand out. The result: The Wall of Death. To the right of the green at the par-five 15th hole at Siam’s Rolling Hills […]
Great Courses of GB&I: Dunbar Golf Club

Scotland’s self-proclaimed “Golf Coast” offers some illustrious options for traveling golfers. But while Muirfield and North Berwick get most of the headlines, nearby Dunbar Golf Club more than holds its own. First laid out in 1856, and later redesigned by Old Tom Morris, Ben Sayers, and James Braid, this seaside East Lothian links regularly hosts Open Championship […]
North Berwick Golf Club, Scotland
The vast majority of golfers, even those natives of the game’s homeland who ought to know better, mention of East Lothian generally brings the knee-jerk response of “Muirfield, magnificent Muirfield.” Yet in historical terms, the present home of the ancient Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is a Johnny-come-lately upstart on the peerless stretch of […]