The East Renfrewshire Golf Club

The East Renfrewshire Golf Club, or ‘East Ren’ as it is known was established in 1922 and the great James Braid designed the course. Not much has changed since, with the exception of slight lengthening to the current 6,100-yard par 70 challenge.

Braid was unable to supervise the course being built because of his golf club duties at Walton Heath so Tom Dobson, the first greenkeeper and professional at East Ren, ensured that Braid’s plans were adhered to by the construction crew.

The usual Braid traits are evident, high tees, rolling fairways and greens set upon plateaux. All the holes are refreshingly different and this is a delightful example of moorland golf at the top end of the category.

There are some stunning views across to Glasgow and the Clyde and, with the course perched at 500 feet above sea level, the wind is a huge factor with club selection. If you play East Renfrewshire every day for one week, expect to use a different club for the same length of shot each day.

Many holes are worthy of a mention but our favourite is the 18th – a long par four with a burn to the left and splitting the fairway. Bunkers and another burn protect the green, which is set next to the clubhouse. East Renfrewshire is certainly tough, but it's also fair.