Tee Off in Scotland

6,428 yards • par 70

Lanark is renowned for its smooth fast greens, natural moorland fairways, and beautiful scenery. The course is built on a substrate of glacial sands, providing the unique feeling of tackling a Scottish links course at 600 feet above sea level.

Variously described in golfing publications as a hidden gem and a geological marvel, at 6,428 yards from the Championship tees, the par of 70 can be a real test to any golfer, especially when the prevailing wind blows.

Lanark’s history and quality of layout and green keeping have made it the venue for the regional qualifying rounds of the Open Championship on no less than eight occasions. Their constitution pre-dates the Open (founded in 1860), and one of its oldest trophies, The Silver Claret Jug (presented 1857) bears a striking resemblance to the more recent Open Championship Trophy (present 1872).

This is never an easy course, despite the excellent condition of its greens and fairways. Good players can shine here however, as they saw when Sam Torrance, of Ryder cup fame, carded a 64.

The last at Lanark is a long par three, with the flattest green on the course. The landing area in front of the green is quite generous, but the bunkers awaiting a miss hit on the right are very punishing. The second of these is known as the ‘par five bunker’ - if you go in there, the hole plays a par five. Anyone missing the green on the left will pay a visit to ‘the cabbages’ - a vegetable plot in 1895 but now a grassy gully. A three to finish is always welcome, especially as the club house luminaries will cast a critical eye over your final putt.

Weekday (M.T.W.T.F.) Round: ££. Day Ticket: £££.
Weekend (S.S.) Round: N/A. Day Ticket: N/A.
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