Winter golf is always a challenge. The cold, wind and rain is enough to test your game (and love for it!) I was lucky enough to have a change of scenery for a few rounds at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian, somewhere I knew little about but would quickly learn why they claim it's 'Rare Indeed'.
I'd heard the Renaissance Club was mega exclusive so had an image in my head of an old school traditional place where members rock up to the clubhouse, full suit, pipe in hand, complete with top hat...think I've just described Winston Churchill there, but you get the jist. This couldn't have been more opposite. Welcoming, relaxed, comfortable, it's the type of clubhouse where you feel like you can really make yourself at home and have a little kip by the fire.
On day 1, after a five and a half hour drive we arrived slightly later than planned thanks to what turned out to be not a quite so quick coffee at Costa. After meeting our host member Lee, we luckily managed to hit a few balls on the range - all Pro V1s, why wouldn't they be! The less said about that round the better, but fortunately I got to redeem myself the following day with Jerry, the Renaissance Club's MD.
He's the man responsible for taking the idea of the Renaissance Club and making it a reality.
It combines the best of both worlds.
Off the course, there's an American influence to the hospitality, service and style of the clubhouse (which is unsurprising since Jerry is from Florida). But once you get on the course, there is everything you expect of a traditional Scottish links.
The first tee shot is slightly surreal as the tee is actually on the putting green. I've never been concerned about fatting my driver before, but you could be here! A fairly straight forward opener with a trickied up green. A theme of the course is that you have to hit the right parts of the greens or you'll have a tough job getting it down in two, which I learned the hard way three whacking the first two greens.
The second hole turns back into the wind, which was up so not as straight forward. I spun up a driver a little and found myself with a 3 wood into another really slopey green, which ran up the slope to within 10 ft...then came back down to 40 ft! Such a stupid game but the smartest courses force you to hit the right parts of the greens and be patient with your shots. The next few holes offer up great character and a few chances, as long as you can avoid the well placed bunkers from the tees.
The 6th hole is the first time you get sight of the North Sea, a stunning backdrop for a tricky par 3. Playing 128 yards on this day, simple, easy two you'd think. Nope, wrong! If you are anywhere other than the centre of this green you'll do well to be putting for your next shot - just one of the Renaissance's many devilish pin placements.
The next couple of holes are defined by the original pines which once covered this whole area of land so offers a real contrast to the open links style golf on previous holes. It reminds me a little of Hillside Golf Club in Southport with the tall mature pines, another world class venue.
9&10 are amongst some of the most spectacular golf holes you could play.
The 9th plays at 188 yards, hitting straight towards the North Sea again with a raised green and run offs all over the place. Another hole you'll do well to fnd the putting surface and a three is a result.
The 10th hole, which in my opinion is the Renaissance Club's signature, plays over the North Sea from the tee and continues along the cliff edge.
An incredibly good looking hole, although it's one of those where even if you've been hitting it right all day you are, for want of a better term, bricking it about missing left as you'll never see your ball again. It doesn't get any easier with the approach, even though it could only be a short pitch as the green again is split into sectors with run offs should you have a slight misjudgement. The good news here is that the fantastic halfway house sits above this green where you can have a beer, take in the views and take your mind off the amount of putts you've had on the first 10!
The back 9 offers a few good chances as the tee shots offer a generous area to hit to, but miss the target and the bunkers are trouble. Much depends on the wind on how the scoring will go on the way in with a couple of chances on the par 5s but the final hole does not offer any respite for an easy finish. 480 yards usually into a prevailing wind, very well placed bunkers right and left, a wall through the fairway and a two tier green....good luck with that! From course to clubhouse, the Renaissance Club is top draw. Thanks to Jason McAteer for inviting me to play and Lee and Jerry for their fantastic hospitality. I can see the Renaissance Club attracting some big events in the future - should definitely be a contender to host the Scottish Open. They've already secured a spot as host venue for Open Championship Final Qualifying so I'll have that extra incentive to get back there in 2018. Check it out for yourself here.
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