Cathkin Braes

Cathkin Braes is one of Glasgow’s finest offerings, a proper mixture of parkland and moorland overlooking the city centre.

Its history dates back to the late 1880s, with a trio of men founding the club. It was in the 1920s when James Braid visited the course and suggested extensive alterations.

Those were made, mainly to the opening four holes of the course, and to this day, it remains a tough but fair test. It is just over 6,200 yards, but features sand, water and trees!

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The history of the Cathkin Braes Golf Club dates back to 1888, with the trio of Adam Rodger, Robert Stark and James Davies behind the founding of the club.

The club opened a year later, with an original 9-hole layout. It was soon extended to an 18-hole course, with a clubhouse also being erected.

The great James Braid – a five-time winner of the Open Championship – was drafted in following the First World War, and he made some alterations, mainly to the front side of the course.

Cathkin Braes features a great mix of both moorland and parkland characteristics, starting and ending with holes of the former, before sprinkling in the parkland holes around the turn. Sat atop the hills some 200 feet above the city of Glasgow, you are greeted with stunning views of Scotland’s largest city. Though it isn't the longest course, at more than 6,200 yards, it will still test your game.

The layout begins with a testing dog-leg right par 4, teeing off over the road into the club towards a generous fairway. Anything left of the green will leave a tricky up and down for par on the opening hole. If you do lose a shot, the 2nd offers up a great chance to get that back. At just 280 yards, this short par 4 does not necessarily require driver, though some might fancy their chances of taking on the green. Most will stay short of the road, before knocking a wedge to the putting surface. 3 is another solid chance as well. Only slightly over 300 yards, this par 4 has another generous fairway, but there is a burn that runs across the hole, in front of the green.

The 4th is one of four par 4s on the course that pushes past the 400-yard mark. It is pretty straight, though, and there are no fairway bunkers in play off the tee, so it is not the most difficult of tee shots. The length might make the approach more tricky, though, especially with a bunker to the right of the green and a drop-off behind the surface. 5 is the shortest hole on the course at just 120 yards. This par 3 plays over water, with a trio of bunkers also in front of the green. The first par 5 at Cathkin Braes comes at the 6th. It is just over 500 yards, and the fairway bunker on the right side must be avoided if you fancy your chances of making it in two. Four more traps, two of which are greenside, along with the boundary of the property behind the green, might make you think twice...

A pair of medium-length par 4s follow at 7 and 8, both of which have tree-lined fairways and plenty of bunkers to keep you on your toes. The 9th brings the front nine to a close with a short par 5, and another good birdie chance. Only a drive that is horrendously sliced will find the OOB down the right side, but there is plenty of space on the left for safety. At less than 470 yards, this is gettable in two for most, though the green is guarded by two bunkers, one of which encompasses the entirety of its right side. The back nine begins with a tricky dog-leg right, just like the front side. Longer hitters can try and cut the corner, but most will aim out to the left to play safe. The green is shaped like a bicycle seat, with the narrow section at the front, in between the two greenside bunkers.

The first of three par 3s on the back nine comes at the 11th. It is 185 yards in length, has three bunkers in front and thick gorse behind. It is not for the faint-hearted. A testing par 4 follows before the next of the short holes. Four bunkers are in play on the 13th, with three of those lurking on the left side of the putting surface. The green is oddly-shaped, so make sure to work out the right distance before choosing your club. 14 is the last of the par 5s at Cathkin Braes, with three fairway bunkers protecting the right side – the inside corner of this slight dog-leg right. A burn runs across the hole around 80 yards from the green, so factor that in if you are laying up.

The closing stretch begins with a tough tee shot at 15. Avoid all the trees that encroach into your eyeline on the right, whilst fading your drive around them to find the fairway. Sounds simple, right? Trees then surround the green on three sides, making it that bit more difficult. 16 is the longest of the par 3s at more than 200 yards, but there is fairway in front for those that run the ball up to the green. Just the one bunker is in play, protecting a large, circular surface.

The last two holes are both tough par 4s, each of which is comfortable over the 400-yard barrier. 17 pushes towards 440 from the tips, and plays as a strong dog-leg right. A long, accurate drive is required if you have any hopes of finding the green with your second shot. The final hole at Cathkin Braes is another long 4, this time arrow straight. There are no fairway traps to worry about, but a drive too far left might find itself blocked out by the trees on that side. Trouble lurks around the green, with a pair of bunkers, along with trees and gorse down the right side. It is downhill, though, so get a good drive away and your ball will roll, especially during the summer months.

Where is Cathkin Braes located?

Cathkin Braes Golf Club is one of several clubs situated within a short drive of Glasgow. The centre of Scotland’s largest city is only seven miles to the north by road. It is in the borough of Fernhill, with the A725 – which runs around the southern side of the city – in close order. The M74 and M77 are also within just a few miles of the golf club.

Thanks to its location, Glasgow Airport is the closest major airport to Cathkin Braes. It is around 15 miles to the west of the venue, and is the second busiest airport in the country behind Edinburgh. Burnside is the closest train station, just a couple of miles north of the golf club, with services running between Newton and Glasgow Central.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

There are plenty of great golf courses in and around Glasgow, with a number on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Kilmacolm is 25 miles to the west of Cathkin Braes, with Lanark around the same distance to the southeast. The likes of Irvine, Gailes Links, Western Gailes and Dundonald Links are around 30 miles to the southwest, with the rest of the Ayrshire jewels further south.

What golf facilities does Cathkin Braes offer?

Along with the 18-hole golf course, the Cathkin Braes Golf Club is also home to a full-length driving range, which sits on the opposite side of the clubhouse. There is also a short game area by the range, along with a putting green that sits between the clubhouse and the first tee box.

What are the green fees at Cathkin Braes?

The price of a green fee at Cathkin Braes changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Cathkin Braes, visit their website here.