AROUND GLASGOW

Jeremy Ellwood visits a variety of enjoyable courses to the north, east and west of the 1990 European Capital of Culture

- Jeremy Ellwood

Westerwood

This Dave Thomas and Seve Ballesteros creation opened to great acclaim in the late 1980s. Much has changed since then, but it still boasts some very good holes, plus splendid views of the Kilsyth and Campsie hills early on. It opens with a sweeping par 5, then a testing downhill par 3. You’ll remember the 5th, a short par 4 that plays down and round to the right, where big hitters may be tempted to take dead aim. The downhill par-3 7th enjoys a stirring backdrop before you get into the trees more on the back nine, nowhere more so than on the 12th, a feisty little risk-reward hole that may just lure power-faders in. The sprawling par-5 14th dips steeply down and gently back up, while the much-photographed signature 15th is a midlength one-shotter to a green set between water and an exposed rockface. Current investment plans should see conditioning improve in the months ahead.

Par: 72, 6,241 yards

GF: round: £22-£33

SHOWSTOPPER

Mar Hall