Burnham & Berrow

Burnham & Berrow | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

Rankings

18th

35th

45th

Burnham & Berrow is regarded as one of the finest links courses in the United Kingdom with the Championship Course having hosted over 40 major men’s and ladies’ amateur events including the Brabazon Trophy. Most recently it held the English Women's Stroke Play in 2020.

The club is situated 30 miles south west of Bristol and presents incredible views of the Bristol Channel. It’s a traditional out-and-back links whose very best holes come at the beginning and end of the round as it builds to a brilliant climax.

There is also the nine-hole Channel Course which is a test for the experienced golfer as well as someone looking to get going in the game.

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A Brief History of Burnham & Berrow

Berrow Church and the resultant 18 holes became known by their present name. Like many other of our finest courses, Burnham & Berrow has been fashioned by many hands.

Herbert Fowler, a member here and a significant influence over the likes of Walton Heath, The Berkshire, Cruden Bay and Royal Lytham, extended the course to over 6,000 yards in 1910 and Harry Colt, assisted by Alister MacKenzie, applied the finishing touches.

Actually, Colt did rather more, removing several of Burnham & Berrow’s blind shots that dated back to an era when nothing was thought of playing over dunes to unseen fairways and greens beyond. Now all but five holes (those around the turn) are played amid dramatic duneland but, by and large, you can at least partially see where you are going.

Burnham & Berrow Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

A good example of a hole that sits in front of you is the 1st, where the fairway pinches in at driving distance to such a degree that briefly we need to walk in single file. Only the most accurate of drives will be rewarded with a view of the pin for the approach.

The 2nd, a longer par 4, calls for a fine iron shot to hold a green all too eager to reject balls to the right, while the 3rd is more sporty, and has a punchbowl green that means certain pin positions are very accessible.

The secret at the 4th is to play well left and not try to cut the corner before the first of a series of excellent short holes, this one to a delightfully situated green in the heart of the dunes. Now we emerge on to flatter land with the 7th a fine test of golfing nerve and nous, if less attractive than what has gone before.

The short 9th marks the furthest end of the course, from where Cheddar Gorge, the Bristol Channel and the islands of Steep and Flat Home can all be seen, as well as Weston-super-Mare. If the back nine begins with perhaps the least remarkable hole, it soon bursts into life at the 12th, an unusually contoured par 4 to a table-top green, the kind of hole that only exists in one place and that reminds you why these seaside courses are so treasured by the purists.

Next comes one of those 5s where you must plot your way to the green. Awkward angles and a fairway of inconsistent width make aggressive play fraught with danger and, in reality, the vast majority of us will be delighted to escape with a par.

Now we are into the exceptional closing stretch, the holes varying wildly in terms of difficulty in length but never anything less than compelling. The brilliant 15th is long and sinuous, the 16th playful and the 17th a short hole that demands a high-quality long iron. Finally, the 18th turns left, unseen from the tee, before opening out towards a large, flat green.

Our Panellists Notes for 2025

Dan Murphy: Few links courses start with more of a bang than B&B. Truly thrilling golf

Neil Gray: I really enjoy playing B&B. Some great holes and very difficult in the wind

Steve Carroll: Breathtaking start and a firm challenge coming home

David Walker: The par 3s are all different, but protected by bunkering and drop-offs accuracy is a must. The routing is through the dunes that follow the contours

Read more about our panellists here.

FAQs about Burnham & Berrow

Where is Burnham & Berrow located?

Burnham & Berrow is located on the southwest coast of England, in the county of Somerset. It is situated around 30 miles south from the city of Bristol, with the course running parallel to Berrow Beach and overlook the Bristol Channel. The M5 – the motorway that services the southwest of England, is just a couple of miles from Burnham & Berrow, providing great road links for those coming from the north.

Highbridge & Burnham is the closest train station to the golf club, just a few miles to the south. Trains run through the station towards Penzance from Cardiff Central with services running in both directions on a regular basis. Bristol Airport is the nearest airport for international visitors, located around 35 miles from Burnham & Berrow. London Heathrow Airport is the biggest in the country, and is approximately three hours from the club by car.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

Burnham & Berrow is certainly in its own region of the country when compared to other venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. The closest venue to also claim a spot on the list is East Devon, but that is still 60 miles to the south. Remedy Oak, Cleeve Hill, Royal North Devon and Saunton – with its East and West Courses – are within 80 miles of the Somerset venue.

What golf facilities does Burnham & Berrow offer?

Along with the Championship Course, Burnham & Berrow is also home to the Channel Course, along with some great practice facilities. There is a full-length driving range with both grass and matted tees, with a short game area and putting green also on hand to allow both members and guests alike to get used to the surfaces before taking to the course.

What are the green fees at Burnham & Berrow?

The price of a green fee at Burnham & Berrow changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Burnham & Berrow, visit their website here.

Visit Burnham & Berrow's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.

Website

http://www.burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk/

enquiries@burnhamgolf.co.uk

Phone

+44 (0) 1278 785760

Address

St Christophers Way, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8 2PE

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