Lunchball
If St Andrews is the classroom of golf architecture, North Berwick is the recess playground. This is the spiritual home of the ‘Redan’ and the architectural paradox that a course can be goofy, unfair, and utterly brilliant all at once. Evolving naturally over time with touches from Davie Strath and Ben Sayers, the West Links defies modern conventions with stone walls crossing fairways, greens tucked behind dunes, and burns that seem to magnetic field your ball. It is the ultimate rebuttal to the concept of ‘fairness’ in golf design, proving that memorability and engagement are far superior metrics.
The vibe here is pure, unadulterated fun. Unlike the stern examination of nearby Muirfield, North Berwick invites you to hit shots you’ll never see anywhere else—like pitching over the stone wall on ‘The Pit’ (13th) or navigating the blind approach to the original Redan (15th). The routing takes you straight out along the Firth of Forth and brings you back into the heart of the town, where cars are parked perilously close to the 18th fairway. It is a living museum of the ground game, requiring imagination over execution, and remains one of the most joyous walks in the sport.
Comparison: 15th (Redan)
Redan
North Berwick (West Links)
The American Redan
National Golf Links of America (NGLA)
Architectural Analysis
While Macdonald's interpretation at NGLA is often called the 'ideal' version, North Berwick's original provides the authentic, blind, and chaotic experience that inspired the template.