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White tees par 71, SSS 73, 6766 yards
Red tees par 71, SSS 71, 5382 yards
Opened in 2008 the Renaissance club course is one of the newest in the true links list. Situated in East Lothian it is close to the legendary courses at North Berwick, Gullane, Luffness and Muirfield. The area was previously a pine forest and although many of the trees were felled significant numbers have been retained which compromises the course's claim to be a true links. It was designed by Tom Doak and its initial layout has been changed considerably. We played it in its original layout as guests of Richard Loudon but having recently walked round the new layout whilst refereeing a match I have revised its description.
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| The view from the first tee |
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| The ninth has an infinity green reminiscent of Castle Stuart |
The first three holes were originally on flat land surrounded by pine woods but these have been replaced by visually pleasing holes with undulating fairways and sloping greens. The sixth is the first of a quintet of strong par 3s with its green set into the side of a slope and guarded by mounds and a bunker on the right. Three new holes, the 9th, 10th and 11th were constructed on land purchased from the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers which is much closer to the Forth estuary and provide magnificent views across the water to Fife. They are a significant improvement as the older layout had very limited sea views and are the most memorable stretch on the course. The ninth is a par 3 to an infinity green alongside the old drystone dyke which is a feature on a number of holes. The10th is a stunning par 4 played across the cliffs from the back tee to a thin ribbon of a fairway which doglegs left to a sloping, tilted green. The par 3 11th plays downhill to a difficult sloping green. The 17th is another tough par 3 with a 'Redan' style green.
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The 10th is the signature hole. The island in the background is
Fidra which can also be seen from the West Links at North Berwick
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Is this a true links course? The fairways and greens are hard and fast running but the soil is not sandy and there are too many trees for it to be a classic links course. Fairway bunkers have a lovely wispy fescue look and the greenside bunkers are close cropped but lack the revetted faces we expect on a links course. Although it is a lovely course to play it probably doesn't quite fit on the true links list.
Worth playing? Yes, a good test of golf but not for the true links experience. It is difficult to play as it is a exclusive club for members and their guests.
