Pilmuir, Ayr Rd,
Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77 6RT
Office
+44 (0)1355 500 256Pro shop
+44 (0)1355 500 206Fax
+44 (0)1355 500 323Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Stewart Russell (PGA Club Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Moorland course. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb
Surroundings:
Rural countryside and moorland.
Designer:
James Braid
55.753281
-4.360866
8 miles SW of Glasgow
7 mls south of Glasgow leave the M77 at exit 5 (East Kilbride) and go south on the A77, direction Kilmarnock. After o.5 mls turn right into Golf Club.
The East Renfrewshire Golf Club: Venture inland from the seaside courses on the Ayrshire coast, and you'll discover one or two other golfing gems. East Renfrewshire is a delightful moorland course located just south of Glasgow. Pine trees line several of the opening and closing "lower" holes, while the middle section of this always undulating out-and-back layout, puts you up onto higher terrain.
Although lengthened over the years to just over 6100 yards, this par-70 course follows much the same routing as originally conceived by its designer, James Braid. There are some short par-4s take advantage of, but equally some testing par-3s, which require solidly struck long-irons to reach the greens. The middle part of the front-nine runs alongside a small fishing loch, which threatens at the par-3 4th and again at the downhill, doglegging par-4 6th (Oot O'Sicht). Some wonderfully elevated tee boxes are created by the constantly undulating terrain, not least on the homeward stretch and at the par-3 7th (where a small hill gives the hole a towering back-tee).
At holes like the short par-3 13th, you will enjoy wonderful views onto the neighbouring hills and surrounding rugged moorland. To the north you peer into the Glasgow metropolis, with the Southern Highlands providing a scenic backdrop. To the west the Firth of Clyde reaches out towards the open sea.
With its mix of open moorland and pine forest, straight and doglegging holes, occasional water ditches and excellent quality green-keeping, East Renfrewshire provides a pleasant diversion from the mighty coastal links just a few miles to the west.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and by special arrangement at weekends.
Bookings not taken, but check ahead to ensure tee-time availability.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course.
Good
East Renfrewshire's designer, James Braid (1870-1950) was not just a great course designer and golf professional. He was a member of golf's Great Triumvirate of Braid, Taylor and Vardon - three golfers who dominated the game at the turn of the last century.
Between 1894, when J.H. Taylor won his first Open Championship and 1914 when Harry Vardon won his last, the names of either Braid, Vardon or Taylor were etched onto the Claret Jug 16 times out of a possible 21. Taylor and Braid won The Open five times each, and Vardon six. During this 21-year period the trophy was won by other golfers only in 1897 (Hilton), 1902 (Herd), 1904 (White), 1907 (Massy) and 1912 (Ray). For full details of The Open Championship winners, see our Tournaments section >by Tournament >The Open.
Scotland's 97th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Lochlibo Rd, Glasgow G78 1LG
+44 (0)141 881 9211
Visit websiteDalmeny Park Country House Hotel is an excellently restored Scottish mansion nestling in several acres of grounds and gardens, in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Glasgow. As a luxury hotel it is also one of Glasgow's premier conference and wedding venues.
No
East Renfrewshire; Haggs Castle
Irvine (Bogside); Glasgow Gailes; Western Gailes; Dundonald; Kilmarnock (Barassie); Rowallan Castle.
Stewartfield Way, East Kilbride, Glasgow G74 5LA
+44 (0)1355 236 300
Visit websiteSet in the cosmopolitan town of East Kilbride and within easy reach of Glasgow’s city centre (7 miles), the Holiday Inn Glasgow-East Kilbride hotel, complete with 101 air conditioned guestrooms, is conveniently located with good access to the M77 and M74 motorways.
No
East Renfrewshire (6 mls)
Haggs Castle; Rowallan Castle
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
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Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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