The Renaissance Club

The Renaissance Club is one of the newest golfing venues in Scotland, and it has quickly become one of the most famous, thanks to the annual hosting of the Genesis Scottish Open, usually played in the week before the Open Championship.
 

It is a private golf club founded by golf enthusiast Jerry Sarvadi. The course was designed by Tom Doak, and only opened in 2008.

 

Soon after, more land was purchased with three more holes being added, and the venue first played host to the Genesis Scottish Open in 2019, with the likes of Min Woo Lee, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre among the winners of the event at Renaissance.


Visit The Renaissance Club's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
 

One of the newest venues on the DP World Tour, and one of the newest venues in this particular part of Scotland, the Renaissance Club has quickly become a coveted piece of land, and one a lot of amateur golfers would like to play on.

Founded in 2008, the Renaissance Club was the brainchild of Jerry Savardi, an American businessman and golf enthusiast. It is a private golf club, and the course was designed by renowned architect Tom Doak.
 

The golf course officially opened for play in 2008. Five years later, the club acquired land from the Honorary Company of Edinburgh Golfers. That land was used to fashion three new holes, with the opening three holes of the course becoming practice areas for the club. 

The Renaissance Club has been chosen as a venue for various prestigious golf events, including hosting the Genesis Scottish Open on multiple occasions. The Ladies' Scottish Open and Senior Scottish Open have also called Renaissance home in recent years.
 

Designed with the idea of hosting professional tournaments, which of course, it has gone on to do so, The Renaissance Club is one of the longest courses you will find on any of the NCG Top 100s lists. From the tips, it measures in at more than 7,300 yards, and only plays as a par 71. Thankfully, if you are fortunate enough to make the visit, there are plenty of teeing options to make it an enjoyable day on the course.
 

The course opens up with two par 4s which are both just shy of 500 yards. It is a tough start to the course, but it shows why it is a championship level venue. Both are relatively straight, with the 2nd bringing you back to the clubhouse running parallel to the opener. The par 5 3rd measures in at 601 yards, the longest hole on the golf course. It is a tee box you might know from the TV, with the large Scottish pine trees down the right side. The tee shot has to be aimed down the left, and at that yardage, be happy if you get there in three!

 

The 4th also moves to the right, and at 425 yards, it is another tough par 4 as you get into the middle of the front nine. One of the few birdie opportunities for the amateur golfer comes on 5, with it measuring at just 335 yards. The 6th is the shortest hole on the property, and can measure as little as 110 yards depending on the tee box, and to that iconic front flag. 
 

The run around the turn is one of the toughest in the country. It starts with 7, the 593 yard par 5 that usually plays into the prevailing wind. The 8th is then the hardest hole on the course, a whopping 511 yard par 4 from the Championship blue tees (and still 440 yards for the amateurs). The 9th is then the first of three par 3s on the property measuring in at over 200 yards, and with trouble all around the green.

 

The 10th is another par 5 that pushes towards the 600-yard mark, moving slightly from left to right. Anything off to the left off the tee might find the waste ground, while right will see you in the thick stuff. 11 is another 500+ yarder for the pros, and a par 4. It is a strong dog-leg right, around trees once more. The 12th and 14th are the two par 3s in the middle of the back nine, with the two green separated by the small stone wall that has become famous over the last few years thanks to the Genesis Scottish Open.

 

In between those sits the 13th, a stunning dog-leg left with the tee shot played almost out over the sea. The fairway cambers from right to left so the right side of the fairway is the ideal line. 15 is another long par 4, coming in around the 480-yard mark, and one where there is a quintet of bunkers on the right side of the fairway in the landing zone.
 

The 16th is a 551-yard par 5 which provides another opportunity for birdies and eagles. 17 is the last of the par 3s, and pushing 200 yards once more. The green is shallow, and the Sunday flag, cut just over the front left bunker, is a very tricky one to get close to. The closing hole at the Renaissance Club is one that is now infamous, following the way Robert MacIntyre and Rory McIlroy finished the Genesis Scottish Open in 2023. A lengthy par 4, usually into the prevailing wind, it can be the final straw in a tough round. 
 

Where is The Renaissance Club located?
The Renaissance Club sits between North Berwick and Gullane on the East Lothian coastline. The course looks out across the eastern coastline of the country, and out to the North Sea. North Berwick is five miles to the east, while the capital city of Edinburgh is only 20 miles west of Renaissance.

North Berwick and Drem are the two nearest train stations to The Renaissance Club. Both stations sit on the East Coast Rail Line, which sees trains run from Edinburgh through to London. For international travellers to the eastern side of Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is approximately 45 minutes from the golf club. It is the biggest and busiest airport north of the Scottish border.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
The Renaissance Club is one of several stunning venues in East Lothian. Next door to the east is Archerfield - home to the Fidra Course and Dirleton Course - while the Open Championship venue of Muirfield is to the west. North Berwick, Luffness and Gullane, with its No.1, No.2 and No.3, are also within a short drive.

What golf facilities does The Renaissance Club offer?  
As you would expect with a DP World Tour host venue, the practice facilities at The Renaissance Club are first class. These include a driving range, stunning short game area and a large putting green.
  

What are the green fees at The Renaissance Club?
Green fees are not available on the club's website due to the club being a private members' club. The only way of playing at The Renaissance Club is through a member.

Visit The Renaissance Club's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.