Renaissance
XXXX
Renaissance
The Renaissance Club was designed by Tom Doak, and opened in
2008. This is an intriguing course with vast, undulating greens which
flow seamlessly out of the land, masterful bunkering and voracious
rough. The pristine greens require intelligence if you are to get close
to the pin, and the surfaces may well wreak havoc on your putting
confidence. There’s also a sweet blend of old and new, with original
dry stone walls adding drama and hazard in equal measure. Then
there’s the serene flow to the course and the surprising number of
trees – this was once a pine forest – which help to frame holes. The
three holes by the sea will cause jaws to drop with the par four 10th
played along low cliffs, next to the Firth of Forth. The club is private
but all golfers can take advantage of the club’s novel ‘One Time
Experience’ which allows you to play the course and/or stay in the
on-site accommodation.
Roxburghe
Roxburghe is regarded as a top 10 Scottish inland course. Designed
by Dave Thomas, it is set within a 50,000 acre estate in the heart of
the Scottish Borders, with the River Teviot and deep woods coming
in to play. Golfers will discover a glorious golfing experience, where
the flow of the rolling landscape, the variety of the holes and the
spaciousness of the course mean you rarely see another golfer. But
prepare for some lengthy green-to-tee walks. Opened in 1997, the
course reflects the elegance around it with Thomas’s trademark
large and undulating greens, generous fairways and deep bunkering
constantly in view from the elevated tees. The downhill, dogleg par
four 10th is a striking example. The European Tour Q School was
held here in 2016, and the clubhouse is set in a Jacobean mansion
Royal Burgess
This is another history-laden club originally designed by Willie
Park Jr. It opened for play in 1895. This is a fine, old parkland where
numerous varieties of towering trees will hinder and frustrate the
wayward. The course may not be long (6531 yards, par 71) but the
many doglegs and the water hazards mean your driver will need
to be employed with caution as you seek out the perfect position
for your approach. The course is always beautifully maintained and
it is well known for its smooth fast greens and smartly positioned
bunkers. The 18th is a 244 yard par four off the back tees or an eye-
catching 232 yard par three from the whites. The course butts up to
Bruntsfield.
The course is always
beautifully maintained and it
is well known for its smooth
fast greens.
95