North Berwick’s ranking of fourth in NCG Top 100s Scotland ranking list has caused quite the online stir.
The East Lothian links has been the inspiration for plenty of golf courses across the globe but that hasn’t stopped its high ranking causing a divide.
Some have argued that the expensive price point and uninspiring golf holes do it no favours in competing with some of the best Scotland has to offer.
But, speaking on the NCG Top 100s Podcast, panel member Dan Murphy was unapologetic about North Berwick’s positioning. After all, it met the demands of the rankings criteria.
“Links golf is our gift to the golfing world, it’s what our courses have got that almost nowhere else in the world has,” said Murphy.
“I will openly say our list rewards links golf and in other countries heathland golf. It is the fact the ball is moving along the ground which to me is the most special thing about golf courses.
“If you go through our list you will see an awful lot of links golf and you won’t see a huge amount of parkland golf in any of our lists.
“I don’t think we do parkland golf as well as it is done in other parts of the world, which is almost entirely down to our climate. Our parkland golf tends to be average in world terms, whereas our seaside and heathland golf is world class and that’s reflected in the lists.
“Our criteria consists of 40 of our 100 marks going towards architecture and design. 20 marks go on conditioning and presentation, which North Berwick doesn’t score particularly high on.
“Another 10 marks go on scenery, surroundings and ambience. It does pretty well in that regard as you can Firth of Forth constantly, so a special place to play.
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“It does well in terms of challenge and playability, with a maxim of 10 marks offered here. The last category is charm, distinctiveness and memorability which is offers 20 marks, clearly North Berwick does well here.
Fellow podcast host, Tom Irwin, had nothing but praise for the course. He claimed its appeal goes far beyond it’s difficulty level.
“It has got this charm and romance that people are naturally drawn to. So it starts in the town, the same way that St Andrews does, it plays along the bay.
“It is also enormously respected by the contemporary, great architects as it is the architectural epicentre for loads and loads of worldwide designs.”
Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
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NOW HAVE YOUR SAY
Do you think North Berwick deserves its place as the fourth best course in Scotland? If not, which course would you swap it out for? What’s your favourite Scottish golf course? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!
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