The Renaissance Club opened in April 2008 with future tournament golf in mind and it's Tom Doak's first Scottish course design.
The Renaissance Club opened in April 2008 with future tournament golf in mind and it's Tom Doak's first Scottish course design.
4.5
Last minute winter trips to play golf in East Lothian seem to be my thing but as I thought Renaissance would be one of the tougher courses to tick off my top 100 journey, I was never going to say no to the opportunity of playing it.
Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2008, it was the first modern links I’ve played and I was looking forward to seeing how it would compare to the old links courses I’ve played this year, especially considering one of the world’s very best is a hop across the wall at Muirfield. I’ve read about Doak’s minimalist principles and how he likes to move as little land as possible and that his courses should allow for creativity and shot making. I’m fully on board with that approach but it does put an emphasis on the quality of the land available.
The first 5 holes, a mix of par 4s sandwiching the par 5 3rd, which run in a kind of loop away and back to the clubhouse are on pretty flat land and apart from a few clusters of trees, rely mostly on created hazards in the form of some terrific bunkering to provide most of their defence. The rest of the course runs over much more undulating ground and the challenge presented is much more varied with natural slopes, some of which are pretty formidable, coming into play along with more great bunkers, trees and a few brick walls too!
Following the relatively gentle start, the stretch from 6 to 11 is absolutely superb and whilst not as incredible as some of the runs of holes at courses like Turnberry, St Andrews and Royal Dornoch, it isn’t miles behind.
The 6th is a beautiful par 3 with a narrow but long green. Finding the right area of the green is crucial as the slopes funnel balls into the giant pot bunkers both left and right of the green. The 7th is a par 5 which, especially in winter with the rough cut down, allows you to let loose with driver as there aren’t any real hazards to contend with. However, danger does lurk on the semi-blind approach to a heavily sloping green with big drop offs both back and front. Any old fashioned links shots that are run into the green need to be judged to perfection to avoid running off into trouble. The 8th, a long par 4 which plays as stroke index 1, is a dog leg right with the dog leg protected by a massive tree and deep swale. The green is well guarded with a sand dune left which contains a few hidden pot bunkers and a wall right.
This run of great holes reaches a crescendo at the trio around the turn aided by some truly stunning vistas out to the Firth of Forth. 9 is a par 3 looking out over the water protected by steep drop offs front and back with the same wall from 8 on the right side for added measure. Set on top of the cliffs, 10 is fantastic risk reward par 4. Teeing off over the cliff to a slither of a fairway, you can take on the Tiger line to leave a flick of a wedge in or play away from the danger to the centre of the fairway but leave a longer shot to a beautifully sloping green. Climbing further up the cliff, 11 is another par 3, this time playing downhill back towards the ninth and another lovely sloping green, again protected by a deep pot bunker.
The remaining holes, aside from 12 which to me felt like first 5, whilst not as good as 6-11 are still strong, making use of the undulating land wherever possible, particularly on the 14th and 16th fairways and on the flatter areas, Doak has created some stunning green complexes to challenge and provide visual impact. The long par 4 18th, usually played into the prevailing wind is a stout finishing hole. As someone who is prone to a few nerves, I imagine it would be even more so on those late summer evenings when plenty of members would be sat on the clubhouse balcony watching you come in.
It’s not to a hugely detrimental effect as overall I thought it was a fantastic golf course but for me Renaissance sums up the issue that dependency on using the existing land brings. The first 5 holes and 12 are a level below the remainder of the course and it could be a lot better if the land those holes run over was more dramatic and undulating. However, there is plenty of variety on offer, risk reward options, uphill and downhill holes and score able par 5s. The quintet of par 3s are all absolutely superb, varying in length and reminding me of those at Woodhall Spa with their narrow greens and massive deep bunkers waiting if you don’t hit a solid tee shot. Walking off each one with a par would be achievement in itself in my opinion.
The course was in generally in excellent condition, tee boxes immaculate and fairways in great nick. The one criticism I have would be that some of the greens were lacking a bit of grass and bobbled on a few putts. I know it’s winter but it’s not something I’ve seen on other links courses at a similar time of year.
As well as being home to a terrific course, visiting Renaissance is about the whole experience. Driving through the Archerfield estate to the gated entrance builds the anticipation, the welcome is warm and friendly from staff and members, the pro shop well stocked and the practice facilities are top notch including a couple of the original holes that made up the layout before alterations were made following a land swap with Muirfield. Also, I definitely didn’t expect a sauna and hot tub in the locker room!
It’s not the easiest course to get to play but if you get the chance then definitely take it. I’m really hoping that this won’t be the only time I do.
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