Course Description
18 Holes, 6602yards SSS 72 Parkland Course with traditional links layout.
Situated within 5 minutes walk from Berwick-upon-Tweed town centre, towards the North Sea coastline. With scenic views to Holy Island and northwards towards Scotland, "The Fields" is the most northerly Golf Course in England. Established in 1903 with the original layout designed by Willie Park the then Professional at Musselburgh.
In 1914 the 9 hole course was extended to 18 holes but was only to last until 1916 when, for financial reasons, the course had to revert back to 9 holes. In 1974 the course was altered to its present 18 holes except for the alterations to the 17th and 18th, which were altered in 1994 and 1995.
Starting with a mild par 4 the course quickly develops into a challenge, with the 2nd hole from which, with a perfectly placed tee shot, you wonder how to conjure a shot that will hold the green.
The 3rd a 546yrds par 5 aptly named Sea View sweeping down towards the clifftops to a well bunkered green plays quite gently before the long par 4s to come.
The 6th being 414yrds to an elevated green with the deepest bunker on the course.
Followed by the 7th a dogleg right, sometimes driveable if the out of bounds and rough are negotiated successfully to the green close to the North Sea.
The 8th hole, a mere 160yrds, requires an accurate tee shot over the Cove (a great collector of golf balls) to a well guarded green.
The 9th stroke index 3 is a par 4 of 401yrds with a heart stopping tee shot for any golfer favouring a fade.
The turn and you're homeward bound, with the hardest holes behind you and a good score going - time to relax and enjoy the game... but don't relax too much the shorter holes can play bogies too.
The 10th along the line par 5, no trouble if you keep out of the bushes and the sand.
The 11th, a picturesque par 4 with the Bell Tower and sight of the Clubhouse, leads the way out of the new course and into the old.
The 12th playing past the clubhouse with out of bounds on the right is a good test from the back tee playing to a rolling fairway of 5yrd rigs, to a green sloping to help your ball to the road.
The 13th, a short par 4, is driveable for those who can negotiate the gully in front of the tee. Next the 14th, a long par 3 of 216yrds, demands a precision shot to a well defended green - a three is good.
The 15th is a par 5 reachable in two on a good day with views to the estuary and beyond. Aptly named The Destroyer, the 16th - with a tee shot played from the beach to a raised fairway and out of bounds on the right - is an experience which has led to many a torn up card.
The 17th hole gives a choice of negotiating the rough to set up that eagle chance, or a shorter club playing down the narrow fairway to protect your score.
Only one hole left... the 18th, a par 3 of 150yrds played off an elevated tee to a well protected green down the mouth of the gully.
Round over, now to retire to the 19th for refreshment and nourishment within the recently extended Clubhouse.
Sample the fayre and plan the next assault on the course, the record of 65 is still there to be beaten - maybe next time.
