Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

94
Glenbervie NEW ENTRY
EXclUsIVE
Larbet, Stirlingshire. Par 71, 6,438 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
An American
DD Another very pleasant parkland course that
perspective
Us golf writer Beth Ann
Nichols shares her love
for East lothian’s links.
deserves elevation.
GW VERDICT: The merits of Glenbervie have long been
known to us, and the panel widely touted its elevation.
While it is true we have a Glenbervie member on the
panel, his testimonial was far from the only
recommendation. Glenbervie’s natural parkland beauty,
with the ochil hills the backdrop, allied to a typically
astute James Braid design mean this is a course that
now in the list could rise much higher up it.
My favourite
track in scotland
is North Berwick.
I’ve never seen a
course with so
much character.
I get jealous each time I see
someone post a picture of Bass
Rock on social media. I play a
few courses each time I go over
to cover the Women’s British
open, a Curtis Cup or the men’s
open. But in 2011, I went in a
week early for a proper ‘vaca’
with a good friend. I was so
enthused I wrote about it on
Golfweek.com.
The number of spectacular
courses along a 20-mile stretch
on the A198 in East lothian is
incredible. We set up shop in the
Macdonald Marine Hotel, which
overlooks North Berwick. Right
below us was a terrific little
junior course, where Catriona
Matthew learned the game.
North Berwick combines
stunning views of the sea and
Bass Rock along with holes that
feature such great character,
they’re impossible to forget.
like st Andrews, the 1st and
18th holes run side by side,
sharing a fairway. The 18th green
sits in front of a majestic
clubhouse, with the town
running down the right side. It’s
reminiscent of the old Course,
just on a smaller scale and with
less historical impact.
Two holes – the 3rd and 13th –
require approach shots that
must sail over a wall. Course
notes encourage players not to
argue with the wall on the 13th:
“It’s older than you.” The 16th
green requires the touch of
seve. It’s long and narrow, with a
gully cutting it in half. It’s one of
the most unusual greens you’ll
ever see and definitely worth a
picture. The par-3 15th, known as
the Redan, is one of the most
copied golf holes in the world.
Just up the road is Gullane,
home to three great links.
No.1 is the best; bring your
camera to the elevated 7th tee
for amazing panoramic views.
n Former college golfer Beth
Ann Nichols is a Senior writer
for Golfweek magazine.
ToP 100 sCoTlANd 2015 Golf World 5