Golfing at North Berwick West Links,
An unexpected invitation to play at one of Scotland's historic links golf courses is one that cannot be passed up. The North Berwick West Links was formed in 1832 and it is believed to be the 13th oldest golf club in the world. It sits on the Forth Estuary, south of Edinburgh, on the east coast of Scotland.
A view of the sea is visible from almost every hole with the playing conditions at the vagaries of the wind blowing from it. On this Saturday afternoon, on February 7th, it certainly blew hard and cold. Wooly hats, thermal shirts and waterproofs were essential garb.
My playing partners, Andy and Neil, are great golfing buddies and Andy set up this surprise visit to North Berwick. I had last played here with them two years ago, give or take a couple of weeks, so it was good to have the opportunity to take on the links, once again, in good company.
The views on many of the golf holes at North Berwick are absolutely stunning as can be seen from this selection of photographs. Above are my golfing partners leaving the Par4, Point Garry, 1st green after some superlative golf from Andy, the one with the big smile on the right. Neil had some issues with the rocks on the beach but did manage to escape with a double bogey 6, as did I after three putts.
This is Neil and his nemesis, a stone dyke (wall), that runs across the fairway of the Par4 3rd, Trap. Two years ago he landed directly in front of it and did not disappoint us by doing so again and with a similar result. He hit it!
A great view from behind the Par3 4th, Carlekemp. The golfers in the background are on the tee but cannot see the green due to the dunes in front of them. A testing Par3 with club selection and picking your line crucial to hitting the putting surface.
Andy putting out on the Par4 12th, Bass, with the beautiful beach at North Berwick behind.
The magnificent view down onto the Par4 14th green. This hole is called 'Perfection' and it is a great test of golf, an accurate tee shot is required to give your approach, which will be a blind approach with the tall white marker post to guide you, a chance of hitting the green.
The drive at the Par4 14th, Perfection.
My playing partners putting out on the green of the 14th, Perfection. Andy just missed this birdie attempt after hitting a wondeful 7 iron to six feet.
A smiling, happy golfer on the tee of the world reknowned Par3 15th, Redan, after hitting a super 8 iron into the centre of the putting surface. My face wasn't so happy after the front nine with a score of 49! Sloppy golf. But after a wee kick up my backside I managed to come back in 37. Incredible.
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