Cawder (Championship)

Cawder, like a number of venues in Scotland, is the proud home to two golf courses – the Keir and the Championship.

The latter is, as it suggests, the bigger and tougher offering at the Perthshire venue. It might only be 6,300 yards off the tips, but tree-lined fairways and water late on make it a tricky prospect.

Five-time Open Champion James Braid was the man behind the design of the course, which opened in 1933.

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Despite its history dating all the way back to the early 1930s, Cawder Golf Club remains one of the younger venues on any of our Scottish lists.

Founded in 1933, the original 18-hole golf course – now known as the Championship Course – was designed by James Braid.

The five-time winner of the Open Championship also then designed the Keir Course, which opened just three years after the Championship Course.

The Championship Course is the longer and tougher of the two layouts at Cawder Golf Club. This parkland layout is tree-lined with plenty of thick rough to be wary of. Throw in the odd water hazard here and there, and the 'Amen Corner of Scotland', and you’ve got one amazing course to take on. The Championship Course pushes towards 6,300 yards off the tips, so it is not the longest track, but it can still provide a punch.

Prepare for a narrow opening as there is no forgiveness for errant drives in the early part of your round. The layout begins with a quintet of par 5s, all of which have different challenges. The opening two holes are both dog-legs to the left, both of which cross the road that winds its way through the property. The 1st is 350 yards, while the 2nd is 60 yards longer. The hardest hole on the front nine comes at the 3rd, a 425-yard par 4. While straight, the distance, plus the tightness of the hole, make it a very difficult prospect. 4 and 5 provide a touch of respite, with both of these holes being less than 400 yards in length.

The 6th is the opening par 3 on the Championship Course at Cawder. It is 165 yards from the tips, with two different tee boxes, depending on the day you play. A large bunker sits to the left of the putting surface. The 8th is also a par 3, and the shortest hole on the course at just 143 yards. This time, the trouble is on the right side, on what is the easiest hole on the layout. In between the two short holes comes the longest of the par 5s – the 526-yard 7th. Despite the length, some will fancy their chances of getting home in two with a good drive down the middle. For most, it will be a three-shotter, but there is a good chance at making birdie here.

The front nine comes to a closer with another tricky par 4. It is a sharp dog-leg left, one in which the bolder golfer will try and take as much of the corner on with their drive as possible. 10 also plays as a slight dog-leg left, but at 356 yards, it is a gentle start – much like the opening hole. You then come to back-to-back par 5s at 11 and 12. Both are over 500 yards and play in opposite directions, so make sure you’re aware of the wind direction on both. Either could be reachable in two shots. The 13th is the first of the two short holes on the back nine – playing a nudge over 150. The 14th is the Stroke Index 1 on Cawder’s Championship Course, thanks to the water hazard in front of the putting surface, and the sheer length of this par 4. It is more than 450 yards, and if you don’t hit a good drive, do you lay up short of the water?

Cawder is known for the 'Amen Corner of Scotland', and it certainly did not disappoint. The start of this dramatic stretch is the 15th, a 400-yard par 4 with water in play once again. It dissects the fairway on this dog-leg left. 16 is a tricky little par-3 where the green, although only 154 yards away, looks a small target given the surrounding trees, bushes and looming bunker on the front right. 17 is a gentle hole to give you one final birdie opportunity, before the 200-yard par 3 18th. Considering you’re playing at least a long iron into the final green, the fact it is surrounded by sand makes it all the more difficult. A par on the last might well win you the match, or push you up the leaderboard!

Where is Cawder Golf Club located?

Cawder Golf Club is situated to the north of Bishopbriggs, a suburb in the north of Scotland’s largest city – Glasgow. The club is just six miles from the centre of the city by road, with the M80 – which runs from Glasgow to Stirling – just a few miles from Cawder. The southern tip of Loch Lomond is just over 20 miles from the golf club.

The venue is just 15 miles from Glasgow Airport, the second busiest airport in the country. The busiest, Edinburgh, is only 40 miles to the east. For those using the rail services in Scotland, Cawder is just a couple of miles from Bishopbriggs Station – with services running between Alloa and Glasgow Queen Street.

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

Despite the amount of golf around Scotland’s largest city, there are only a couple of venues that feature on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Glenbervie, further to the east, along with Loch Lomond and Kilmacolm, are all within 30 miles of the venue.

What golf facilities does Cawder Golf Club offer?

Along with the two 18-hole golf courses, Cawder Golf Club also has some great practice facilities. There are practice nets, along with chipping areas and a putting green to allow members and guests alike to warm up prior to a round.

What are the green fees at Cawder Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Cawder Golf Club 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 Cawder, visit their website here.