The finale to the trip is Mar Hall, probably not the crescendo you are expecting but to Mar Halls credit it’s a lot going for it – not least the fantastic Mar Hall hotel and its near Michelin-standard cuisine and spa that can sooth the aches and pains away from a week playing some of the toughest links courses in diluvian conditions.
After a hearty breakfast I hit the first tee, but when I reach the third hole and approach my tee shot, I stop to soak up the fantastic vista of the Clyde. I have to say the third hole is an impressive one with the Clyde and Old Kilpatrick Hills as its backdrop and the Erskine Bridge to the right. It makes for a dramatic view, especially with the boats bobbing along the water. The fourteenth is the signature hole and you can see why: it has a high tee, again with the Clyde as a backdrop. The bunkering and a tree make for the perfectly sculptured golf hole. I’m sure many a photo will be taken there.
Top: 10th green Above: LtoR 5th green & river Clyde, 3rd & Erskine Bridge, 17th green
This Dave Thomas-designed course is only two years old and you can appreciate it’s still bedding in. It’s totally different to the major courses that you’ll play here and it’s not trying to compete with them. Mar Hall is only four miles from Glasgow Airport and is the perfect place to stay on the first or last night of your Scottish golf tour.
