Winter links golf is possible near Berwick upon Tweed. Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle publish winter visitor rates, and Goswick Links takes visitor bookings through its online system. Gullane also offers winter golf in East Lothian. North Berwick West Links does not accept visitors from December to February.
To book the whole venue for a special event or group booking, call us on 01289 349 449 or reach out via email at stay@robroyberwick.com. The team will be happy to assist.
Fine grasses such as fescue are particularly suited to these coastal conditions. Goswick Links describes its course as a pure fescue links and highlights the consistent playing quality of its greens. This is particularly useful during winter. Inland greens often become softer and slower or may close temporarily.
A temporary green is a smaller putting area prepared on the fairway or apron to protect the main green. Golf clubs may introduce these areas during frost, waterlogging or periods of heavy wear. Playing several holes on temporary greens can change the character of a round considerably.
Golfers use small artificial turf mats to play shots from designated areas of the fairway during winter. These mats reduce damage to natural grass during the colder months. The R&A confirms that clubs can require mats across all fairways or on selected parts of a course.
Preferred lies are another measure golfers may encounter during winter. This local rule permits players to lift, clean and replace their ball within a specified area. England Golf permits clubs to introduce preferred lies between 1 October and 30 April without additional permission. Clubs in East Lothian follow the relevant guidance issued by Scottish Golf.
Golf clubs may delay morning tee times to protect frozen grass from damage caused by foot traffic. Clubs often wait for the ground to thaw before opening affected areas. These delays can affect bookings scheduled later in the morning.
Snow, standing water and strong winds can also result in temporary closures. Links courses generally cope well with rainfall but remain exposed to winds coming from the North Sea. Checking the club's website or contacting the professional shop before travelling can prevent an unnecessary journey.
Goswick Links is about six miles south of Berwick upon Tweed and is easily reached from the A1. Several course designers contributed to its layout, including James Braid. The R&A uses Goswick as a regional qualifying venue for The Open. Golf World also ranks it among the top 100 links courses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Goswick does not publish winter green fees directly on its website. Visitor prices appear in the club's online booking system and depend on the selected date and tee time. Golfers should check the available rates before arranging their round.
Our full article about Goswick Links provides further information about the course and clubhouse.
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club is situated approximately 19 miles south of Berwick upon Tweed. The club describes its course as short but challenging, and the opening two holes are both par threes. Its coastal setting makes wind conditions an important part of the playing experience.
Winter green fees apply from 1 November to 31 March. The published charge is £40 from Monday to Thursday and £45 from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday visitor bookings are limited as the club regularly holds competitions on that day. Weekdays and Sundays are generally more suitable for visiting Bamburgh Castle Golf Club. The winter green fee also includes access to the clubhouse and practice area.
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club occupies a coastal location beside Embleton Bay, approximately 30 miles south of Berwick upon Tweed. This James Braid links course plays to par 70 and measures 6,287 yards from the white tees. Visitors can make bookings online throughout the year.
The club's winter rates apply from 1 November to 31 March. Green fees are £35 on weekdays and £40 at weekends. Food is served from 8.00am, with catering and a licensed bar available during the club's stated opening hours.
East Lothian offers additional golf opportunities across the Scottish border. Each East Lothian club has its own winter visitor policy. Checking the individual booking arrangements is important before planning a round.
The area is part of Scotland's Golf Coast. This organisation covers golf destinations in East Lothian, the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Rob Roy Boutique Accommodation is also a partner of the organisation.
The area is part of Scotland's Golf Coast. This organisation covers golf destinations in East Lothian, the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Rob Roy Boutique Accommodation is also a partner of the organisation.
Gullane Golf Club has three courses and is located approximately 44 miles north of Berwick upon Tweed.
Gullane publishes green fees throughout the year. Check its current fees page or booking system for winter availability and rates before planning a round.
North Berwick Golf Club operates a visitor season from 1 March until 30 November. The West Links does not accept visitors from December to February. Visitor play is not available on Fridays or Saturdays, even during the normal season.
Some older travel articles recommend North Berwick for winter golf. These articles do not explain the current visitor restrictions. The club's official visitor information provides the relevant booking dates.
Golfers travelling in November may still have an opportunity to play the West Links. Check the club's current November green fee directly, as published seasonal rates differ from the main visitor season. Fairway mats may be compulsory at certain times of year, so ask about course conditions when booking.
The following comparison covers five courses in Northumberland and East Lothian. Distances and driving times are approximate estimates from Berwick upon Tweed. Green fees reflect the published information checked in October 2026. Individual clubs may change their prices or visitor arrangements.
| Golf course | Distance and driving time from Berwick | Winter visitor access | Published winter green fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goswick Links | Around 8 miles by road, approximately 17 minutes | Confirm with the club or its booking system | Not published online. Check booking system |
| Bamburgh Castle | 19 miles, 25 minutes | Open all year, limited Saturday availability | £40 Monday to Thursday, £45 Friday to Sunday |
| Dunstanburgh Castle | 30 miles, 40 minutes | Open all year | £35 weekdays, £40 weekends |
| Gullane No. 1, 2 and 3 | 44 miles, 51 minutes | Confirm with the club | Check current fees page or booking system |
| North Berwick West Links | 39 miles, 48 minutes | Visitors accepted from 1 March to 30 November, no visitor play on Fridays or Saturdays | Check November fee with the club. No December to February visitor rate |
Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle offer some of the lowest published winter green fees among these courses. Gullane offers three courses for golfers visiting East Lothian. North Berwick West Links does not accept visitors from December to February.
The earliest sunset in Berwick upon Tweed occurs around 14 December, at approximately 3.34pm. By 29 December, sunrise can be as late as 8.38am. These limited daylight hours make tee time selection important.
North Berwick Golf Club sets pace-of-play expectations for the West Links, so check its current guidance when booking. Two golfers usually move faster than a group of four. Actual playing time still depends on course conditions and the number of golfers on the course.
December generally provides enough daylight for one comfortable round rather than two full rounds. November and late February offer longer afternoons than December. These additional daylight hours make playing 36 holes in one day more practical.
Frost may still disrupt a carefully planned morning. Booking a tee time around 10am may help golfers avoid early morning frost delays. It also provides sufficient daylight to complete an 18-hole round. Midweek bookings can provide a quieter playing experience.
Staying in Berwick upon Tweed makes it possible to visit courses on both sides of the Scottish border. A two or three night break provides time for several rounds without long daily journeys. The following itinerary is designed around a midweek stay and one main round each day.
Sunday bus services are more limited. Some routes have fewer departures and others do not operate. Check the timetable before planning a Sunday outing.
A taxi or organised tour may be a better option than hiring a car for a single day trip.
Arrive in Berwick upon Tweed and settle into your accommodation before considering an afternoon round at Goswick. Goswick Links is about six miles south of Berwick upon Tweed, making it a convenient option for a winter golf break. An early arrival in November or February may leave enough daylight for an afternoon round.
Travel north to Gullane for a round in East Lothian. The approximate driving time is 51 minutes from Berwick upon Tweed.
Visit Bamburgh Castle Golf Club or Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club before beginning the journey home. Both courses are south of Berwick upon Tweed. Weekdays and Sundays are generally more suitable for visiting Bamburgh Castle Golf Club. Saturday competitions restrict the availability of visitor tee times.
Rob Roy Boutique Accommodation occupies a Victorian building on Dock Road in Tweedmouth. The property is on the south bank of the River Tweed in Berwick upon Tweed. Street parking is available outside, which can be useful for guests travelling with golf equipment. Self check-in provides flexibility for guests returning after a late round.
Accommodation is offered on a room-only basis. The shared guest kitchenette includes a kettle, toaster, microwave and coffee machine for preparing light refreshments. Two friends travelling together may prefer the Executive Twin room.
Our article about dining out in Berwick upon Tweed also covers options for evening meals. Rob Roy's Stay and Play golf packages with Goswick can provide the basis for a winter golf break.
Winter conditions can change between booking a tee time and reaching the course. Contacting the club the evening before and again on the morning of play can prevent unnecessary travel.
There are several practical details worth checking before leaving your accommodation.
Wind from the North Sea can influence comfort and playing conditions more than the temperature alone. Several lighter layers provide flexibility as conditions change during a round.
Our article on winter weather in Berwick upon Tweed provides more information about the colder months in the town.
To book the whole venue for a special event or group booking, phone us on 01289 349 449 or reach out via email at stay@robroyberwick.com. The team will be happy to assist.
Some golf clubs offer buggy hire throughout the year. Their use may still be restricted during periods of wet or frozen ground. Bamburgh Castle lists buggy hire at £34 per round. North Berwick states that its undulating terrain is not suitable for golf buggies.
Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island are options for visitors who prefer sightseeing during a golf break. Access to Holy Island depends on safe tidal crossing times. Check the official Northumberland County Council timetable before travelling. Our article about Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle in winter provides further information.
Festive opening arrangements vary between golf clubs, and some close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Rob Roy's winter direct booking rates exclude stays from 23 December to 2 January. Confirm availability before making travel arrangements.
Rob Roy Boutique Accommodation offers Stay and Play packages with Goswick Links. Guests interested in visiting additional courses can discuss suitable options with the team. Visit the Stay and Play golf packages page or call 01289 349449 to enquire about available arrangements.
Direct booking rates for midweek stays start from £159 per room for two guests. This covers two nights between 3 January and 28 February 2027. Visit the winter rates section for full terms and availability.
2 nights from £1593 nights from £219
Slow down this winter in the heart of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Walk the town walls and the coast, then come back to your own boutique room. Our Winter Escapes are only available when you book direct with us. It's the best price you'll find anywhere.
Prices are per room for the whole stay, for 2 guests sharing an Executive Double, Sunday–Thursday. From-prices apply to stays from 3 January to 28 February 2027. For stays until 23 December 2026: 2 nights from £169, 3 nights from £239. Friday and Saturday nights are £10 extra each. Not available 23 December – 2 January, or on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 February. Subject to availability. Free cancellation until 7 days before arrival, then the full amount is payable.
