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Glen, Scotland |
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Glen Golf Club
East Links
Tantallon Terrace
North Berwick
East Lothian
EH39 4LE
Scotland |  | James Braid, Ben Sayers and Philip Mackenzie Ross |  | None |
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 | +44 (0) 1620 892726 |  | From North Berwick, follow signs to East Links Golf Course |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Welcome - contact in advance |  | Rita Wilson |
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Jim McCann originally nominated the Glen Golf Club as a gem back in 2005. Since then the course has made our Scottish Top 100 rankings which we published in 2009. The following passage is Jim’s original article from 2005.
I have lost count of the number of times that I have played at a club that lives in the shadow of a nearby ‘must-play’ course and come away thinking ‘what a golf course that is.’ The Glen Golf Club in North Berwick is a prime example.
The west course at North Berwick, just a couple of long drives away, gets all the plaudits in this neck of the woods but the east links of The Glen deserves recognition as a cracking alternative venue. Because most of the course is played on a cliff top, the views across the Firth of Forth to Bass rock and the island of Fidra, then beyond to the Kingdom of Fife, are a magnificent backdrop to the terrain over which the 18 holes are laid out.
Nine of the twelve par four holes are less than 400 yards so the layout will not tax you for length. Rough off the fairway is often long, wispy grass so you can cut loose with your driver off most tee boxes. Greens are not overly undulating or raised with run offs to throw slightly miss-hit shots away from the pin.
There is a holiday feel to playing here with so many people nearby relaxing along the beaches or walking along the hill paths. The signature par three 13th hole ‘Sea Hole’ which hugs the coast may be the one most advertised by the club but what a driving hole awaits a few holes later at the last when the elevation drops a hundred feet or more at ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ down to the green by the clubhouse – a thrilling, exhilarating way to end a great round of golf.
The clubhouse is undergoing a complete rebuild, which will bring The Glen slap bang up to 21st century speed as the club celebrate a centenary in 2006. Check out their interesting website at www.glengolfclub.co.uk and here’s one for ALL golf club secretaries – beside the bar, there are questionnaires from the secretary, asking visitors for opinions on all aspects of their visit to the club – what a refreshing change to see a club that actually wants feedback on what they’re doing and where they could be doing better. It tells you all you need to know about the hospitality of a great little club like The Glen. James McCann. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | Played this course in april 2009 and found it already in good condition. Perfect course for all handicaps and why play a course nearby for 100 pounds if you cn play this one for less than 25. Beautiful views! |
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| 23 October 2012
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| | Having first played this course 11 years ago on a tour of Lothian I remembered the course as a nice play to play golf but nothing else. However having now moved to the area and having played the course twice this summer I cannot recommend this course enough. Sure it is not one the 'great' clubs but the clubhouse and course have had significant upgrades in recent years and both are now well above average in my view. The course is consistantly interesting and in good condition and compared to many of it neighbours is good value. I cannot understand any negative comments about this course. |
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| 01 August 2011
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| | This is an absurd rating. The test must be whether you would rather play the Glen than almost any of the other courses rated lower. eg Gleneagles (King's and Queen's) Blairgowrie (Rosemount and Landsdowne) Western Gailes etc. Many of the holes are featureless and on the side of a hill. There are good holes but these cannot make up for the mediocrity of the majotity. The condition is no more than average. I appreciate that probably no one has played all 100 courses but I have played on 82 of the list and I would rate the Glen 83rd! |
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| 19 November 2010
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| Response: | | | Hamish Wilson | 21 November 2010 | | I made an error in mistaking the ranking based on reviews. However my remarks are just as valid relating to the ranking of 68th!! | | | dave d | 10 December 2010 | | Read all the other reviews and you will see you are in the minority, by far, this course is an absolute joy to play and in outstanding condition. what is your grudge against it ?? |
| | I can’t believe that it has been 5 years since I last played here. Then, I arrived as a confirmed and almost exclusive parkland player to discover that there is a big old world out there. Frankly I was kind of blown over by the experience.  A lot of water has flowed under a lot of bridges since then and I have been very very fortunate to have played most of the top tracks in Scotland in the intervening period so with that in mind I worried that Glen would not be as good as I remembered it, I needn't have worried as it did and more. Stand out holes for me are 1,8 9,12,17 and the great 18th which sits splendidly overseeing North Berwick in the distance. Although these holes are great my favourite hole is the short 13th which must be one of the most photogenic holes in the British Isles again, not the hardest or best designed, but a feel good hole if ever there was one. I am not naive enough to think that The Glen is the toughest course that you will ever play but therein lies its charm, it is a stunningly located golf course set up so golfers of all ages and abilities can compete and enjoy their golfing day and a must play if your are in the area. MPPJ |
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| 27 August 2010
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| Our fourball had an absolute blast today on the Glen course. It's not the most challenging, I agree, but that's not why we came here anyway. We were looking for holiday golf (played on greens that were an absolute joy to putt on) on a day that was forecast to be sunny and both the course and the weather delivered big time. The views across the Firth of Forth are a wee tonic in themselves and if the excellent conditon of the course, coupled with the wonderful surroundings don't stir your blood then it's probably time you packed away the golf sticks and took up lawn bowling. The Glen offers exceptional value for money, especially when using discounted green fee vouchers as our group were, and I'm absolutely delighted that the course has made the Tartan Top 100 on this site as it thoroughly deserves such recognition. Jim McCann. |
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| 25 August 2010
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| I played the course on a calm sunny November day last year for the reduced midweek rate of £20 and found this to be good value, particularly when considering that there was not a winter green or mat in sight. The new clubhouse looks impressive and contained excellent changing facilities.
The first hole starts off at ground level then the approach shot must be played up a steep incline; after putting out on the first it is from this lofty cliff-top level that the next 16 holes are played from. Personal favourites on the front nine included the bumpy downhill par 4 third and the two-shot dogleg eight hole where the views from the tee box down to the bay and crashing waves were simply breathtaking.
The back nine starts like the first nine with an uphill par four. This leads up to the best stretch of holes on the course beginning from the 448 yard par 4 12th where you must drive from an elevated tee and then hit an accurate tee shot to a smallish green at the far end of the course. Next up is the famous, and much photographed, 13th called Sea Hole. Again the tee is elevated from the green and there is a potential for a blind tee shot depending on the pin placement. When I played I could just see the top of the flag but despite this advantage my ball still landed on the beach area adjacent to the green! The 14th requires another uphill drive as the hole begins by hugging the edge of the cliff and the approach must be hit towards the green which ventures back inland from the cliff edge. The long par 4 15th and the solid 186 yard slightly uphill par 3 16th concludes this fine run of holes. The 17th also runs along the edge of the cliffs before leading the player back to the top of the hill where they would have putted out a few hours earlier on the first hole. From the vantage point of the 18th tee box the golfer stands high above the fairway, looking down to the pro shop, clubhouse and the town of North Berwick and off into the distance sits the imposing bass rock out at sea. A slice from this high position could potentially end up over the road and into the sea, however it is possible to hit a long drive towards the green due to teeing off from such high altitude and this should leave a mid to short iron into the well guarded final green.
Overall I enjoyed my day at the Glen, the course was in excellent condition and for £20 was real value for money. The course had a number of good holes, particularly between the 12th and 16th, as well as some average ones which perhaps makes it not as exciting as some of the other courses in the area but I would have no hesitation in returning for another round of sun, sights and golf on this lovely course. DM |
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| 02 March 2010
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| | My first experience of cliff top golf and I loved it. Superb value winter fees at a reduced rate of £30 with no restrictions such as preferred lies. Things get really exciting around the turn and aesthetically the course steps up a gear. A truly inviting tee shot at the 18th with spectacular background views. Well worth the 120 mile round trip and I would have no hesitation returning. |
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| 07 December 2009
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| | I'm not sure the Glen is on most of the traveling Americans' itineraries, but we were happy it was on ours. We stayed in North Berwick for five nights and played many of the nearby famous and great courses, but we began with the Glen and were not disappointed. The conditions were difficult, very windy and we got soaked for about forty-five minutes.By the time we got to 13 tee, one was happy if the tee shot landed on dry ground and could be found and played. The course, despite the difficult conditions, was fun to play, and the views, once the squall left, were spectacular. Afterwards, we arranged catering in the clubhouse, and the staff was very accommodating and friendly and provided us with a good meal. If you're nearby, play the Glen. |
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| 21 October 2009
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| | Stunning views of the Firth of Forth, the town and beach. We enjoyed beautiful sunny calm weather when we T'eed off, and the guy in the pro shop told use that 'we'd be in for a treat'. And he wasn't wrong. There are some really fun holes. The first hole has a green that is at the top of a hill, the 13th which is a short par 3 is a blind t shot. You have to hit somewhere at the rock pools that suround the green and hope you hit it! the 18th is stunning. It seems unfair to mention just three holes!! The wind can really kick in and, even on a calm day. I thought the green fees were reasonable at £37 for the quality of course and club house. Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I will definatly go back. |
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| 07 August 2009
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| | The Glen has many things going for it, although as a test of golf I was left a little underwhelmed. The settng looking out over the Firth of Forth is absolutely stunning, as are the views over the picturesque town of North Berwick. It is not really in the same league as its West Links neighbour but few courses are. There is no real challenge off the tees, with generous fairways meaning only a horror drive will be severely penalised. For me, there are too many bland holes but I have to say the conditioning of the course for mid-December was absolutely fantastic. I would have been happy to putt on these greens in mid-summer, while it was also good to play the course at its full length. The best stretch of golf is the 12th to the 15th which most closely resemble links golf. Elsewhere, it is more parkland in nature. There is an excellent modern clubhouse aswell. It's a good course for holida golf and social outings but for a real test of East Lothian's best head to the West Links and Gullane. |
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| 12 December 2008
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| | I have to be honest here and say that this is one of my favourite courses. I absolutely adore it and, although it doesn’t have the kudos of its illustrious neighbour it’s a fine golf course with a good mix of holes which test and delight.
The first hole is a strong par 4 which sees you climbing up to an elevated green. This is reversed with the 18th being an elevated tee heading down to a distant green in front of the clubhouse. This sounds fairly bland but I assure you if you take time on the 18th tee to survey all around you will not be disappointed. Infact, that can be said for the rest of the course because the scenery here is simply breathtaking.
Pick of the holes is the 13th for me. Simply named “Sea Hole” it is only 130 yards from the yellows to the green, The hole has often been described as Pebble Beachesque.
If all of the above isn’t enough to tempt you then may I suggest that you go to the Club’s web page and read what other people say about this wee beauty and if that doesn’t entice you, then nothing will . Mppj
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| 27 June 2008
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| | After playing North Berwick and Gullane 1+2 the Glen was a fantastic way to end 3 glorious days of golf, we were told the condition of glen would not be great, we found it to be in first class condition and a good challenge and outstanding value, less than half the price of Gullane 1 with twice the views. If visiting here you obviously must play North Berwick it is a great but don't miss The Glen. |
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| 22 June 2007
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| | played the glen 2 times (twice in a day) and the first day was not the best couldnt see the firth of fourth and we got soaked on the first 4 holes, but liked it very much and my mate angus got us on for £7 both times. then played there 2 weeks later and the sun was out i have to say it is the most spectacular place to play on a clear day, we finally got a glimpse of bass rock and i havent even mentioned the course, the greens were a bit furry but when they get quick it would very scary indeed especially if the wind gets up. from the 13th to the spectacular 18th it pure golfing heaven thanks to all our friends at the glen for a great time and enjoy your new clubhouse, will be back for sure. |
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| 10 September 2006
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| | A prime example of a good, honest Scottish golf links, the Glen is not in the same class as its neighbour (the West) but most enjoyable for all that. It has a couple of excellent holes - the 12th and short 13th - and the 1st and 18th are great fun. Throw in the lovely views and good condition and the Glen will give you a fine day out. |
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| 01 May 2006
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| | This is wonderful holiday golf. The course starts down near the beach at the east end of town and the first gets you on top of the cliffs! After you drive its a wedge (or series of wedges) up to a birds nest of a green hidden above you. After that the rest of the course meanders up on top of the cliffs until of course you get to drive from the cliff top back down to the club house on 18! The views from the top of the cliffs muct be some of the best in golf. From the first tee you can see all along the North Berwick coast for miles stretching to the West Course and beyond. Behind you is the North Berwick Law (the little granite mountain that dominates the sky line) and then out accross the sea is the impressive edifice of the North Berwick Rock. The top looks white and its covered in a multitude of sea birds. The golf itself is gentle but deceptively tricky. Its not long but requires accuracy to avoid the bunkers and rough that can be punishing in places. Most of the time though you can relax, enjoy the views and get out your driver. If you come to North Berwick by all means play and love the West Course but to miss this gem alongside it would be an act of unforgivable folly. Its a wonderful holiday romp. |
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| 09 February 2006
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