Originally laid out by Tom Morris and later refined by James Braid, Lanark is renowned for it's smooth fast greens, natural moorland fairways, and beautiful scenery. The course is built on a substrate of glacial sands, providing the unique feeling of tackling a Scottish links course at 600 feet above sea level. Variously described in golfing publications as a hidden gem and a geological marvel, at 6,428 yards from the Championship tees, the par of 70 can be a real test to any golfer, especially when the prevailing wind blows.

The club has hosted the regional qualifier for the Open Championship eight times in recent years.