The Renaissance Club
Overview
Tom Doak ranks his own course as a 7, alongside the likes of Royal Birkdale, Brora, Saunton, Formby, and Askernish.
Tom Doak's only Scottish design sits proudly beside his American links at Pacific Dunes, Australian links at Barnbougle Dunes, and New Zealand links at Cape Kidnappers and Tara Iti.
Golf Course Review
The Renaissance Club is a Tom Doak and Don Placek true links design from 2006. A private club with little play, the green is kept to an impressive standard with Mr. Doak claiming it is one of the best-kept courses in all Scotland. The owner, American Jerry Savardi, moved from Ponte Verda, Florida to North Berwick to develop and actively run the club.
The Renaissance Club Course Alterations & Changes
The current 9th, 10th, and 11th holes were added in 2013 and replaced the opening three. The original 12th and 13th were combined and the current 12th and the 15th were added to bring the total to 18. The new holes allow the routing out to the coastline after a land swap with Muirfield next door. A long but worthwhile process, the planning consents required five years!
The Renaissance Club Historic New Golf Course
The course sits on 300 acres overlooking the Firth of Forth in East Lothian, Scotland. Formerly part of the Archerfield Estate, it lies immediately adjacent to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield. Sat beside some of the best golf courses in the world, the 18 holes at The Renaissance Club hold their own in every way.
The Renaissance Club Tour Event Ambitions
Built with the intention to host a professional tournament, it succeeded in doing so playing host to the Scottish Open. With a par of 71, the course plays to 7300 yards. A 400-yard driving range and tour quality practice facilities round out the genuine tour experience at The Renaissance Club. That ambition was realised when it hosted the 2019 and 2021 Scottish Open, Ladies Scottish Open (Women's Scottish Open), and the Scottish Senior Open.
To ensure its ability to continue to host and test the world's best, Padraig Harrington has been hired as an advisor to work with the club and its consulting architects.
The Renaissance Club Reviews
Read Sean Arble's tour of The Renaissance Club.
The Renaissance Club Photography
The Renaissance Club - Videos
The Links Diary Video Montage of Renaissance Club
The average golfer perspective on the renaissance club
Watch Cookie Jar Golf's Story of a Golf Club
Watch: Scotland - Where Golf Began's Expose on The Renaissance Club
Featured Architect: MacKenzie, Alister
As taken from his book, Golf Architecture, Alister MacKenzie felt the following were essential: The course, where possible, should be arranged in two loops of nine holes. There should be a large proportion of good two-shot holes and at least four one-shot holes. There should be little walking between...
