THE RENAISSANCE CLUB - 16 POINTS
It requires a certain chutzpah to take a piece of land tucked between Muirfield and North Berwick - 2 of the greatest links courses in the world - and try to create a course, from scratch, which gets close to the quality of those great places. But that was the vision of a wealthy American - Jerry Savardi - and he pulled out all the stops to get the job done.
The architect is Tom Doak, possibly the most successful architect of the modern era. Doak has been quite open that he was asked to design a course which would be suitable for professional championship play. That’s a relatively unusual brief for Doak and you sense that this has been something of a conflict for him with the client’s desire and his natural tendencies pulling against each other.
I’ve played The Renaissance a few times now and my experience has got better over time. The first time I played it I found it just too hard. There are numerous long carries off the tees (playing a 500 yards+ par 4 into the wind with a long carry over heavy bracken isn't my idea of fun) and I felt the course was set up for punishment rather than pleasure. Of course, others love that challenge, but for me it was just too much.
I spoke to Doak just before the Scottish Open was held there in 2019 and he said that he felt the owners had been too penal in their setup of the course and fairway width in recent years. Unless you are deadly straight, prepare to suffer.
However, it’s fair to say that the experience that the pros had in that Scottish Open was a different one from many had expected. The fairways had been widened and the whole course was very wet. Combining those factors with calm weather and the ludicrous distances the pros hit the balls these days led to a pretty easy test for the pros. While they don’t want to get beaten up the week before the Open, this didn’t really serve as much of a warmup for an Open on true links ground. It just shows though how things are so different for the amateurs and professionals these days. Amateur golfers who have played it can fear the test, professionals think nothing of it.
Owner Jerry Savardi was very keen to ensure the venue continued to host the event and enlisted Padraig Harrington to work as a ‘player consultant’ alongside Doak in the development of the course, to ensure it produced the challenge that the players were looking for.
It would also be fair to say that the ground struggled from the off to really play as you would expect from a links course. However, over recent years a lot of sand has been put down and the club are determined to get the course playing with more links characteristics and that is showing. You can read about the changes ahead of the 2021 playing here.
The course at the Renaissance Club itself isn't your traditional links setup. The ground is quite undulating - especially as you get down to the new holes near the water and into the back 9, and there is a lot of heavy rough in play just off the fairways. The greens are often elevated meaning the ground game isn’t always possible They can be tricky at times too, with some significant mounds and positioning your approach shots relative to the pin is vital.
The new holes by the water give the Renaissance Club more of a ‘wow factor’ than before
Three new holes have been added since the course first opened - the 9th, 10th and 11th - which go down to the Firth of Forth and provide some of the spectacular views that the owner no doubt craved, and they are really strong additions to the course. The par 10 4th in particular has a wonderful setting. The course is always tremendously well presented and there is great attention to detail. There are many architectural features - such as the incorporation of ancient walls - which can be really savoured.
Over time The Renaissance has matured and improved. If you choose the right tees to play, and the wind isn’t too brutal, the course is acceptably playable for the amateur. And there are some really enjoyable moments for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the real heights of Doak - like St Patrick’s and Barnbougle - and I don’t think The Renaissance ever quite hits them. But that’s not to say there’s not a lot to enjoy here.
If this course were in many other parts of the the UK, even Scotland, then it would be a 'must play' in the area. But, in East Lothian, most golfers would enjoy the likes of North Berwick and Gullane just a little but more. That doesn’t mean you should totally forget about playing The Renaissance, that would be wrong, but just know what you are getting yourself into.
BOOKING THE COURSE
It used to be almost impossible to get a round at The Renaissance. It is now possible, but be prepared for quite a bill. When the Scottish Open was awarded, much was made of the course opening up more to the local community and visitor play. That’s not really happened but there are a couple of ways in.
First up is the 'One Time Experience'. It starts from £300 a round, or £480 including accommodation. It's not cheap but at least you can play now, if you really want to.
They have restricted availability to Mondays and Wednesdays and encourage you to stay on the property. They are also keen to remind you on the website that you can only take the ‘one time experience’ once in your lifetime.
The club costs many tens of thousands of pounds to join and only has a few hundred members, so the odds are that you will pretty much have the course to yourself and be treated very well. Caddies are compulsory but, in theory, given the difficulty of the course, and the thickness of the rough, this isn't a bad idea.
There is now another way in to the Renaissance Club if you are a Scottish golfer. As part of the deal to get the (government part-funded) Scottish Open the course agreed to open up tee times to Scottish Golf members. Well, they have gone quite overboard in their generosity with tee times available between November and March on Monday and Wednesday mornings at £280 a tee time. It’s a good rate, but I think the availability is a little on the measly side!
TOUR TIPS
You are spoilt for choice in East Lothian when it comes to golf. It is possible to stay at The Renaissance Club if you are taking part in the One Time Experience but North Berwick and Gullane have great options too. Just have a look at those pages for more details.
If you have a group looking for someone to stay then have a look at One Fairways in Gullane. I have a vested interested in this as it is a holiday let I have set up aimed at the golfer looking for luxury accommodation in the heart of Gullane. If we are booked up though there are plenty of other options, take a look at the Gullane pages for more details.
In terms of other courses to play then Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane Number 1 would be the pick of the crop but there are many other great experiences to be had - Archerfield, Luffness, Kilspindie, Gullane 2 and 3 and Dunbar would all work well on a trip.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Renaissance Club,
Cowden Hill Drive,
Dirleton,
North Berwick,
EH39 5HS
Office:
Fax: +44 (0)1620 850 902
Phone: +44 (0)1620 850 901
E-mail: onetime@trcaa.com
Web: www.trcaa.com
