Glen - Lothians - Scotland

What a sad review review by 'anonymous' in Feb 22. Yes course is tight in places so there is the odd danger of being hit, but I found the welcome very friendly from the staff and members alike. Yes, it is not the best course you will ever play but the backdrop is just stunningly beautiful and worth the green fee of c£70. For me the 13th is not their signature ' hole, for me it was the 12th as you play directly looking at nothing but the sea and Bass Rock. All I can say is go and play it once, you will not regret it and will want to play it again just for the views which are present on every hole.

Just two miles away from the West Links and playing in the opposite direction you have the other course in Town which might not be as great in golf architecture terms and golf challenge, but it is another one not to miss. A very fair priced course, with views of the Glen Rock, the City and the Sea make it an absolute treat to your eyes during the entire round. And yes, it has some special “Touches” like her sister and after remembering the round I wouldn’t say it is an easy scoring course (especially on the greens) but again a links that allows you to miss without the drama of looking for potential lost balls.

People used to “normal” golf courses in their countries will find the following shots special and that they will keep strong in their minds long after having played the course:

Hole 1 is a layup before a dramatic uphill shot (yes, with a wedge) but were a short miss could bring drama and the ball back to your feet.

Hole 3 with a nice drop if you get it to 230yds and an approach facing for the first time The Glen Rock

9th from an elevated tee to a green towards the sea and again The Glen will be probably their favorite hole of the course.

12th finishes again near The Glen and will be the toughest second shot on the course.

13th to a semi blind downhill green will be one of the highlights. If I could change one thing on this course would be elevate the tee to shot the awesome green complex.

The dramatic 160yds carry of the 14th tee will be the most nerve cracking moment of the round.

17th green and elevated 18th tee will be the final photo in their mind and the feeling that the round was well worth to be played.

It was one of those course where the chance to play it never came before and I regret it because it is really one very nice of those to be combined with the Top Tier ones. Lunch at the Club facing the Sea is a mandatory step before you walk off this magnificent Golf Club.

Malcom Duck says it best 'Of all the 21 courses in East Lothian - for price, scenery and friendliness the Glen comes out on top'. I couldn't agree more. Its a magical place. A must play!

Played here a few times and always been a delight and friendly and used to be cheap, Now the course is very busy and its easy to get hit as fairways are not that spaced out, very slow rounds at times too. the green when I last played were pretty decent and the par 3 and views are great although most the course is a bit bland inland. worth playing for under 50 id say. Also same as the other north Berwick course they don't let locals in to the club anymore 3 year waiting lists to fill up with green fees and the clubhouse last time my gf was shouted at and questioned when she used the bathroom so its getting very stuffy the glen. this was in august when I played and she walked round. Also again they have raised fees to try and trick Americans quote on quote from committee lets raise fees as Americans don't play cheap courses. disgusting committees and what could be a friendly local club is now a council money maker only pays the course its pretty average and boring in places and hills make it a up and down walk. worth playing and can be fun but bad taste in my mouth with the club now.

The Glen for me is a top course, the first 8 holes you climb the hill out of town, some of the holes are a bit ordinary, but the back nine along the coast is great. For me a far better golfing experience than North Berwick.

The par 3 are probably the most memorable holes and I would agree that the course is well used and therefore there are divots to avoid.

That said for me a must play if you are in the area.

The Glen is unusual among the collection of Lothian golf courses in that it’s sea and coastal views are simply magnificent, but the golf course itself is in my view fairly ordinary. It is heavily played and the fairways and tees well worn, but although the greens were patchy, they putted a lot better than they looked.

After a sharply uphill and frankly unsatisfactory opening hole, the course became a succession of hill-top challenges that weaved their way around the cliff above the town of North Berwick. Things became more interesting at the 9th which was a long par3 with Bass Rock as a backdrop, and the signature 13th hole which required a thrilling semi-blind short iron approach to a sunken green very close to the beach. Another exciting drive followed at 14, but the best tee shot was reserved for the last hole, sportingly called ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. From high up your final drive has a drop of over 100 feet before landing on a wide fairway, leaving a simple approach to the home green.

Seaside holiday golf this is for enthusiasts who want enjoyment, some quirky holes and great views, but not the level of intensity and challenge of other golf courses in the region.

The Glen golf course in North Berwick certainly should not be overlooked on a trip to play some of Lothians finest. Nestled within a hotbed of some of Scotland’s greatest links courses the Glen cannot rival these courses for design but does surpass for scenery and the spectacular views.

Barring the badly designed first hole (the worst hole i’ve played at a top 100 course) the course is played from high ground with sumptuous vistas of the North Sea and Bass Rock. Although not as testing as its neighbours it offers players a chance to score well, with many holes having wide fairways and not too penal rough. Playing in late October the course overall was in good condition showing only a few signs of wear. Greens were quick and had subtle undulations and bunkers were nice if a little friendlier than I’d expected.

The stand out was the thirteenth and rightly described as the signature hole. It’s a world class short par 3 with the sea in play and nowhere to bail out. I noted that a bad shot could see you playing your second from the adjacent beach, which wouldn’t be too disastrous as it was one of the most beautiful scenic holes i’ve had the pleasure of playing.

Overall the Glen isn’t going to challenge your Gullanes, NB’s or Muirfields. Its just not as well designed, nor is it difficult enough for better golfers. It doesn’t have the history, course conditioning or gravitas that these courses have in abundance. For me though it is one of the most enjoyable places to play. Perfect for travelling parties and societies looking to add a cheaper round to a golf trip. A round at the Glen would certainly compliment rounds at its more heralded neighbours. Sometimes absurd (hole 18), sometimes mediocre, but in many parts as good as anywhere in the UK.

I think I have to rate the course in the 4.5 ball category. It’s a 4 ball course but it is laid out in a 6 ball setting. Yes it comes up short in quality of design but for visual appeal and enjoyment it’s as good as any.

The east links at North Berwick are set on a grandiose cliffside stage. The course features its fair share of dramatic holes (9, 12-14, 17-18) and some inland pushovers (most of the outbound nine). Views of Bass Rock and the Fife of Forth are delightful, especially on the returning nine. The green complexes, especially when compared to other courses in the region, leave much to be desired. Nonetheless, this course is well worth a day trip and/or a complementary 18 to the main draw in NB.

The other side of town to the internationally acclaimed North Berwick West Links, The Glen shares similar views out to Bass Rock. Potentially more of a cliff top course than a true links, this course is not to be sniffed at. Enough holes that make you think, which is combined with some strong undulations and bunkering. The 1st & 18th play up (then down) a big slope which opens up the rest of the course. The par 3 13th is reminiscent of the 7th at Pebble Beach, and you can imagine depending on wind it could be anything from a 4 iron to sand wedge. A nice enough course but has a lot of competition in the area, that is perhaps time better spent.

The Glen enjoys a breathtaking clifftop location with many spectacular holes offering views of the Firth of Forth and its islands including the Bass Rock, the world-renowned bird sanctuary. Also known as the East Links, The Glen offers some of the most spectacular views in Scotland. Quite hilly so not an easy walk, but well worth the effort. Known for the 13th hole, a short par 3 with the green on the beach, there are better holes throughout. #3 is one of the best green complexes you will find, a beautiful kidney-shaped green with a bunker tucked in the nook. Excellent James Braid. Much more than just a pretty face, this James Braid design has some tremendous green complexes and challenges abound, particularly around the turn where you are most exposed to the elements. Beautiful, fun holes and an incredibly friendly club. The Club opened in 1894.