Routenburn Golf Club

I'm not going to review the clubhouse as I didn't use it. I didn't use the practise green either because if you hadn't seen the little flags then you might not have guessed that that's what it was! It was in need of a severe trim! That was one of only two low points of the course though. The second was that there's a walk of about 150 yards along the road between the 3rd and 4th tees (and likewise on the return between 15th and 16th), and I didn't see a sign there warning you of this so if you don't know the course very well then you wouldn't have a clue where to go. The big plus at Routenburn is that it occupies a stunning location over the Firth of Clyde with gorgeous views over to Bute and Arran. If your round heads south then you can always take in the scenary! It also means that when it gets windy then you'll get to notice it. The course itself isn't the longest, but that doesn't make the holes easy. It's an "out and back" course and the trouble is almost always on the right, so slicers could have a long round. It's not an easy start either, with the 1st being a 184y par 3 up the hill, and the OB clinging to the RH side. Get used to the climb btw, because there's a little bit more climbing to do before you're finished for the round. Despite the amount of rain around on the day that I played, the greens were pretty decent, the course was enjoyable, and I'd totally recommend a round here to anyone.

had a fantastic day here,views were breathtaking,it's a little gem of a course and everyone should try to play here can't recommend it highly enough.

Since playing my 1st game of golf at routenburn when i was about 14, i have yet to come across many courses which compare with this gem in Largs. I played in all sorts of weather there and miss playing there with some spectacular views across the Clyde. On to the first tee and nerves would usually get the better of me and i would fade the ball too far and out of bounds. The 2nd is a bit more forgiving and the 3rd is an uphill par 4, which can be easily reached with a short chip afetr a decent drive. The 4th suited my swing (natural fade) as it dog legs to the right with half of the course's bunkers (2)guarding the approach to the green. green.The short par 3 5th is relativelt trouble-free, but care must be taken from the tee on the par 4 6th hole where a slice or wayward shot to the right will find you searching for your ball in the deep gorse bushes. The 7th is almost reachable off the tee with a huge drive, but it's sloping green can spell disaster with too-heavily hit putt. The 8th is one of the best holes on the course - although you cannot see the pin - it's a blind (very short) tee shot. The last on the outward nine is a must make tee shot over the valley, setting yourself up for a good shot at the welcoming green. The 10th is easy on the legs as it's downhill all the way then the 11th (more difficult than it appears leads you to the par 5 12th, which is always a good chance for a birdie - even for us average golfers. The 13th, a short par 3 seems to be one of the easier par 3s on the course then the daunting 14th blind tee shot awaits. The 15th, decribed by many as ``practically impossible'' to reach from the tee only requires a knack to it. You have to aim left and just short, so the ball rolls smoothly down to the flag (i learned this one day about 20 years ago when i thought i had no chance of reaching it AGAIN and then realised i made it when the group still putting on the green watched my ball trickle inches away from the hole. The 16th is downhill and a stray shot to the right must be avoided here. The 17th - the hole which brings many a potentially good scorecard to an end is a par 5, with a rolling fairway (steep) to the right. For any chance of a birdie - or even a par for that matter, the tee shot must be hit a bit left to view the green with your second shot. Then another gem to finish and a straight shot is imperative as the householders on the right will not appreciate a stray hit shot and you will not appreciate a stray hit shot to the left into the thickest of gorse and trees. This hole, with an elevated tee, can be reached with a putter as it's downhill all the way, but the right distance must be achieved, as too long a shot can sometimes result in the ball bouncing in the club car park (many a warning i was given from Sam Torrance, when he was professional there. Anyway memories, memories, but this has been a bit of light relief for me and hope it helps the first-time golfer to Routenburn.

I would like to say that Routenburn is a fairly easy course due to the length and nature of it,as long as you can keep the ball in bounds. With me having a handicap of 4 you would expect some pretty decent scores, though this is often not the case as I will make excuses 'trying' out many different swings in the middle of a medal as an excuse as to why i chopped up. Having said this I am the only one that cant seem to see that all these amazing new swings are exactly the same and that I will never break 75 in a medal more than twice in a season. Even in matchplay I tend to bottle it, especially against O'Harrington when I was 5 up after 5 and still lost. Ah well theres always next year(Boom boom!). Its just as well in the doubles I have my trusty friend Dave to rely on otherwise I would embarass myself even further. I often play in the Saturday medals with him and have to say his swing is nothing short of breathtaking, with a powerful shoulder turn that generates so much power. A thing I can only dream of. The views are spectacular which helps when the golf is not and the course is always kept to the best of the greenkeepers ability. However why is it that it always starts to rain at the 9th when you are a far away from the clubhouse as possible?!

Routenburn is a really tough test of golf for myself. Playing off a handicap of 27 I often struggle to break 100 in medals. This is partly due to a very difficult opening par 3 which requires a long iron or even a wood for the members that are not as strong as me. Unfortunately I tend to bottle it at the 1st hole and on many occassions I have shanked the ball straight out of bounds and into the farmer's field. The course is classic straight out straight in course which means there is out of bounds to the right of every hole. This again is a huge problem for myself because of my huge slice. I have lost many a golf ball on the course and is why I would really recommend Routenburn..... for ball hunting! If it wasn't for the lovely views over the clyde I would definitely give up the game. Its what gets me through the round. Ronnie said that the 4th should be played as a par 5. If par 5 wasn't the highest par I would raise it to a par 7 as I have had many 2 figured scores at that hole. My friend though still plays it as a par 4 and went driver, 7 iron the last time he played it. My friend is obviously far better than am. Ronnie is correct in saying the 15th is the hardest par 3 on the course. I tend to try and draw the ball into the green here but most of the time I fail and put into another farmer's field but it usually doesn't matter because my score is already messed up. This however is the icing on the cake and I tend to NR at this hole. There is always a reason to play to the end though witha chance of a 2 at the last to win money or golf balls. Unfortunatley because of the pressure I shank the ball out of bounds but not into a farmers field but into Mr Marshalls conservatory window. Nevertheless, I enjoy my rounds of golf at Routenburn. The course is usually in great condition and the people are really friendly. I look forward to going into the clubhouse after for a chat and a pint of irn bru. One other point to mention is that I have never known Ronnie to relax and admire the views after a bad shot!