City break: Glasgow, Scotland
Where to play
Mar Hall
Designed by Dave Thomas’ son Paul, who skilfully routed it between 250-year-old sweet chestnut and beech trees. It has lovely views of the River Clyde and the Kilpatrick Hills.
Kilmacolm
This moorland boasts heather, whins, bracken and fir trees and was founded in 1891. Sits on a plateau 400ft above sea level and has had the touch of Willie Campbell and James Braid.
East Renfrewshire
Founded in 1922 its undulating fairways were routed by Braid to form a relatively short course (6,107 yards), which defends itself via plateau greens.
Pollok
Get a taste of Alister MacKenzie’s design principles.
This club was founded in 1892 and was remodelled by the great architect in the 1920s. It is an immaculate parkland course.
Cathkin Braes
This was founded in 1888 and Braid also had input on the course, which is where Tour star Scott Jamieson grew up.
Haggs Castle
Hosted the European Tour in the 1980s, it was formed in 1910 and takes its name from the Castle – one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings – built in 1585 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell of Pollok. It sits within Pollok Country Park.
Cawder
The club is home to two Braid courses – The Cawder (lined by mature woodland and punctuated by water features) and The Keir (on rolling terrain next to the river).
Glasgow Golf Club
This is a scenic parkland out on the North bank of the River Kelvin. Old Tom Morris and, again, Braid shaped it.
What to do
Sightseeing
From elegant Glasgow Cathedral to Riverside Museum on the site of a former shipyard to mad Victorian garden cemetery Necropolis.
Shopping
The so-called ‘Style Mile’ comprises an array of iconic designer stores – often in their own enormous buildings – as well as well-known high street names on the iconic streets of Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall.
Oasis pilgrimage
King Tut’s was where Alan McGee signed Oasis and the likes of Pulp, The Verve, and Radiohead have all played there on the way to the top.
In the evening
Head away from the city centre on Argyle Street and you’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in Finnieston.
Where to stay
No matter whether you are looking for a Premier Inn, a cheap B&B, a medium-range hotel or a chic boutique hotel, Glasgow has lots – but there are play and stays too…
Mar Hall
Has all the style and amenities you’d expect of a five-star establishment, plus a fabulous riverside location.
Gleddoch
Sitting west of the city in the direction of Port Glasgow – so convenient for the moorlands – the course was designed by J. Hamilton Stutt in 1974. Backed by very high-class accommodation.
Westerwood
Former QHotel now DoubleTree, it has a Seve Ballesteros-designed course (below) and a four-star hotel.
City break: Edinburgh, Scotland
City break: Leeds, England
