The North Berwick Golf Club

What The North Berwick Golf Club does

The North Berwick Golf Club, founded in 1832 and located in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland, is a private members golf club operating on the historic West Links, a true links course on the edge of the Firth of Forth. It is the 13th oldest golf club in the world and 6th oldest in Scotland, with the 18-hole championship course (6,420 yards, par 71) featuring famous holes including the Redan, Perfection, and Pit — the Redan having been copied by courses globally. The club shares the West Links with three other clubs (Tantallon, Bass Rock, and the integrated Ladies' section) under a Joint Greens Committee, with a 99-year lease from East Lothian Council secured in 1996.

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: membership subscriptions capped at 500 Ordinary Members with the waiting list closed; visitor green fees priced at £220-£380 depending on season (with Scottish resident and junior discounts); pro shop sales of equipment from Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, and Mizuno plus West Links merchandise; PGA-led coaching at £30-£45 per lesson; equipment hire including push/electric trolleys, hire clubs at £50, and caddie services at £70; food and beverage through the clubhouse bar, lounges, and catering functions; and entry fees for open competitions such as the 74th Mixed North Berwick Cup. Customer segments comprise Ordinary Members (primary), visitor golfers (handicap-restricted, pay-per-round), junior and new golfers via the Get Into Golf programme and Children's Course, and women and girls following the club's 2019 signing of the R&A Women in Golf Charter.

Technology infrastructure is built on third-party platforms: Intelligent Golf (version 10.1.2) powers the website, member login, competition management, and World Handicap System synchronization; Golf Genius manages open competition entries; and Trackman technology drives the 2019-established Indoor Golf Studio with two full swing bays and a putting area for coaching analysis, custom fitting, and simulator hire. The Professional Shop operates from the original Ben Sayers factory adjacent to the 1st tee and via the nbproshop.com online storefront. Distribution is fully direct-to-consumer: in-person bookings, the online visitor booking portal, telephone reservations, and the e-commerce site, with no intermediaries or third-party resellers. The club has achieved GEO Certified sustainability status three times (2016, 2020, 2025) and recently announced a historic collaboration with Gil Hanse as retained course architect in November 2025.

Name

The North Berwick Golf Club

Legal name

The North Berwick Golf Club

Website

https://northberwickgolfclub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1832

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The North Berwick Golf Club, founded 1832, is a private members golf club in Scotland operating the historic West Links 18-hole championship course alongside visitor tee times, a PGA-staffed professional shop, indoor golf studio, and full clubhouse facilities, with membership capped at 500 Ordinary Members on a closed waiting list.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Golf Club Services

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Golf Clubs & Tournament-Host Clubs (Professional/Elite Golf Clubs) (MPAKABAE)

Keywords

• Private golf club
• Links golf course
• Golf membership
• Visitor green fees
• Golf coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

North Berwick

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Limited membership of 500 Ordinary Members with equal rights for gentlemen and ladies. Waiting list currently closed.
2. Green Fees: Visitor green fees ranging from £220-380 depending on season (March-October 2026/2027). Scottish resident discounted rates available. Junior golfers pay 50% of full green fee.
3. Pro Shop Sales: Professional Shop sells equipment from major golf brands (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Mizuno) and West Links merchandise. Online shop at nbproshop.com.
4. Golf Coaching: Individual lessons from PGA professionals at £45 for adults, £30 for juniors. Group and playing lesson packages available. Gift vouchers sold.
5. Equipment Hire: Push trolley hire at £5, electric trolley at £20, hire clubs at £50 per round inclusive of push trolley. Caddie services at £70 plus gratuity.
6. Food and Beverage: Clubhouse bar and restaurant serving daily menus, bistro evenings, and steak nights. Catering available for functions and visitors.
7. Open Competition Entry Fees: Open competitions including Open Greensomes, Junior Open, Senior Open, and the 74th Mixed North Berwick Cup with entry open to members and non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The North Berwick Golf Club operates a private members' golf club built around the historic 18-hole West Links championship course (6,420 yards, par 71) on the Firth of Forth at North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland. Its commercial offering centres on capped Ordinary Membership (limited to 500 members), visitor green fees, a Professional Shop with PGA coaching and custom fitting, an Indoor Golf Studio with Trackman technology, clubhouse food and beverage service, equipment hire, caddie services, and open competitions for members and non-members.

Product overview

The North Berwick Golf Club offers a comprehensive golf experience centered around its historic West Links 18-hole championship course (par 71, 6,420 yards), one of the world's oldest golf courses established in 1832. The club's portfolio includes the Children's Course (9-hole Par 3 for juniors and beginners), a Professional Shop with PGA-qualified staff, an indoor golf studio with Trackman technology, and clubhouse facilities. The club provides membership (limited to 500 Ordinary Members), visitor green fees, coaching programmes, open competitions, and equipment hire services. The intelligentgolf platform powers membership and competition management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• West Links (18-Hole Championship Course) A true links golf course located on the edge of the Firth of Forth, playing 6,420 yards at par 71. Known for famous holes including the Redan (15th), Perfection (14th), and Pit (13th). The course has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open Championship (1972, 1980, 1987, 1992, 2002, 2013) and is available to members year-round and to visitors from March to November.
• Children's Course (9-Hole Par 3) A 9-hole Par 3 layout adjacent to the 15th and 16th holes on the West Links, originally established in 1888 as the Ladies' Links. Designed for youngsters to learn the game with green fees kept to a minimum; hosts regular junior competitions during July and August for under-14s.
• Golf Membership Membership of the club is limited to 500 Ordinary Members with equal rights for gentlemen and ladies. Membership categories include Junior Course Membership, Pre-Course Membership, and Children's Course Season Tickets for children aged 17 and under. The waiting list is currently closed.
• Professional Shop On-site Professional Shop located in the original Ben Sayers factory adjacent to the 1st tee. Staffed by five PGA-qualified professionals (Head Professional Martyn Huish, Shop Manager Pete Burnett, Assistant Professionals Scott Young, Scott Gillies, Katy McNicoll, and Fraser Johnson). Stocks equipment from Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping and Mizuno plus West Links merchandise; offers coaching, custom fitting, club hire and trolley hire. Awarded TGI Golf 'Pro Shop of the Year' in 2014.
• Indoor Golf Studio Indoor golf facility established in 2019 with Trackman technology, two full swing bays, and a putting area. Offers in-depth coaching analysis, full custom fitting experience, simulator hire, and bespoke events.
• Golf Coaching and Lessons Coaching programmes delivered by PGA Professionals for men, ladies and juniors of all ability levels. Adult 45-minute lesson £45 (Martyn Huish); Junior 45-minute lesson £30 (Katy McNicoll). Group and playing lesson packages and gift vouchers available.
• Equipment Hire (Clubs and Trolleys) Titleist hire clubs available for both gentlemen and ladies, left and right-handed, at £50 per round inclusive of a push trolley. Push trolleys £5; electric trolleys £20 (advance booking required).
• Caddie Services Caddie services at £70 plus gratuity; Forecaddie at £30-35 per player.
• Clubhouse Bar, Lounges and Catering The clubhouse features the Catriona Matthew Lounge and West lounges with panoramic views of the 18th green, 1st tee, town, harbour and Firth of Forth islands. Includes the historic Club Room (originally built in 1880) offering full food and beverage service, daily menus, bistro evenings, steak nights, and catering for functions and visitors. Managed by Food & Beverage Manager Andrew Carson.
• Changing Facilities Modern changing facilities for both gentlemen and ladies on the ground floor, including bag storage, lockers, modern showers with towels, and complimentary toiletries.
• Open Competitions The club hosts open competitions including Open Greensomes, Junior Open, Senior Open, and the 74th Mixed North Berwick Cup. Open to members and non-members and managed via Golf Genius registration pages.
• Get Into Golf (GiG) Programme Structured beginner pathway designed to provide a welcoming introduction to golf for individuals taking up the sport for the first time. The 2028 intake application will open in early 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• GEO Certified status achieved three times (2016, 2020, 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gil Hanse (Retained Course Architect)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Historic collaboration announced November 2025 with world-renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse as retained course architect. Gil will help polish and protect the West Links while honouring the course's rich history. Process includes engagement with member focus group to gather insights and feedback on course enhancement plans.
• Beach Wheelchairs (Charity)coreOthersCharity supported by Club's Captaincy fundraising. Over £21,421 raised over two years enabling purchase of £18,000 electric beach wheelchair for community accessibility.
• Sustaining North BerwickminorOthersLocal sustainability organisation. Course Manager Kyle Cruickshank was guest speaker at North Berwick Climate Café organised by Sustaining North Berwick, highlighting collaboration on environmental initiatives.
• GEO (Golf Environment Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent certification body for sustainable golf. North Berwick Golf Club has achieved GEO Certified status three times (2016, 2020, 2025) through adherence to sustainable golf principles.
• East Lothian CouncilcoreOthersLandlord for all of the West Links course to the west of the 'common land' portion. Granted 99-year lease to the Club in 1996. Purchased threatened land for £9,700 in 1954 to safeguard golf club rights.
• The R&AcoreOthersGoverning body for golf. Club signed R&A Women in Golf Charter in 2019. Club hosts championships sanctioned by The R&A and associated bodies.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal Dornoch Golf Club: Highly-rated Scottish Highland links with deep heritage, visitor green-fee revenue, and championship reputation — analogous operating model to North Berwick.
• Royal Troon Golf Club: Ayrshire links club on the Open Championship rota with comparable membership structure, championship hosting history, and Scottish championship links positioning.
• St Andrews Links Trust: Operates the historic St Andrews Old Course and other links courses in Fife, Scotland. Directly comparable as a multi-course Scottish links operator with championship pedigree, visitor green-fee model, and shared Open Qualifying ecosystem.
• Prestwick Golf Club: Birthplace of The Open Championship and historic Ayrshire links. Comparable as a heritage private links club with Open Championship legacy and similar visitor/membership dynamics.
• Carnoustie Golf Links: Championship links in Angus managed as a charitable trust, hosting The Open on rotation. Comparable in course quality, visitor access, and Open Qualifying heritage.
• Muirfield (The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers): Private East Lothian links club adjacent to North Berwick, sharing coastal Firth of Forth geography, Open rota status, and traditional Scottish private-club governance.
• Turnberry (Ailsa Course): Iconic Ayrshire links on the Open rota. Comparable as a Scottish championship links course with similar visitor pricing power and Open Final Qualifying heritage.
• Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club: English Open Championship links club with comparable private-membership structure, championship hosting, and visitor access operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Trump Turnberry: Resort-led premium links destination on the Ayrshire coast. Comparable in Scottish championship-links positioning but with a hotel-and-resort business model layered on top of golf.
• Gleneagles: Luxury Scottish golf resort with multiple courses, hotel, and broader hospitality portfolio. Comparable Scottish premium-golf destination, though broader and resort-based rather than a single traditional links club.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NorthBerwick_GC
• Facebookfacebook.com/NorthBerwickGolfClub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-berwick-golf-club

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The North Berwick Golf Club