West XXXX Kilbride
Earl of Mar
This is parkland resort golf at its most enchanting. The course is less than 10 years old and was designed by Dave Thomas, across a charming 250 acre estate. Located 15 miles west of Glasgow city it is set beside the River Clyde and in the shade of the Erskine Bridge. Earl of Mar flows around 250 year old sweet chestnut and beech trees with several holes pressed up against the river’ s edge. It is wonderful stuff, and then there’ s the elaborate bunkering, generous fairways and beautifully contoured greens. And, considering this is a modern course, it is not that long which makes it playable for golfers of all abilities. The 5 star Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort watches over it all.
East Renfrewshire
Holes wrap around a loch and burst with moorland flavour at East Renfrewshire, one of the area’ s most popular and highly rated courses. There’ s no question that this is one of the finest moorland courses in Scotland, and one that promises stunning views to Glasgow and Loch Lomond National Park. Holes are routed in every direction over bumpy, always undulating and often unpredictable terrain, so it promises plenty of fun shot making. And, with scatterings of trees and burns, it demands strategic play. Add in the location, some 500 feet above sea level, and you will find the wind is always an important factor. James Braid – yet again – designed the layout, back in 1922.
West Kilbride
Set on the edge of the Firth of Clyde, with the Isle of Arran always in view, West Kilbride is a links exposed to the elements. Holes start up high and slide down gradually to the sea, across gently ribbed linksland. From the clubhouse – also up high – you can see much of the course and the avenues of gorse which divide holes. It is a serious test in the wind, whichever way it blows, for holes typically move in one of two directions … which means you’ ll know exactly what awaits as you walk to the next tee. The back nine keep you close to the water and you finish with six intriguing par fours. The course is located at the northern end of Ayrshire’ s fine stretch of links.
Kilmacolm
More moorland and more delightful golf to be found on this short par 69 course, south-west of Glasgow, and above the village of Kilmacolm. With attractive countryside views over rolling hills, it seems only fair that the course reflects those undulations, with sweet shapes at every turn and an imaginative routing that keeps you guessing. The course boasts both its status as the finest village golf course … and as a‘ miniature Gleneagles’. It is certainly colourful and entertaining golf as holes weave through gorse, heather and tree-lined fairways. It is not long – just 5961 yards off the back tees – but that matters little when smart golf is the name of the game. You can thank James Braid for that.
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