Cathkin Braes Golf Club

Five miles south of central Glasgow, on the ridge of high ground that gives the club its name, Cathkin Braes has the distinction of being the oldest golf course in the city. Adam Rodger, Robert Stark and James Davies founded it in 1888. James Braid later redesigned the layout, which now runs to eighteen holes over 6,200 yards against a par of 71. Moorland rather than parkland in character, the ground is flatter underfoot than the name suggests, and trees line a good number of the holes. Water fronts the green at the short fifth, a hole further defended by bunkering. The braes themselves form part of the escarpment overlooking the Clyde valley, long a vantage point over the city spreading below. Bar and catering operate from the clubhouse, covering lunch, dinner and bar snacks. Visitors are taken by prior arrangement, and membership is offered across a range of packages covering all age groups. Proximity to Glasgow makes the course reachable within a short drive of the city centre while sitting on open upland well clear of the built-up area.