The Nairn Golf Club
Nestling on the shores of the Moray Firth this Traditional Scottish Golf Links Course was created from a Highland wilderness of gorse and heather, and tests the talents of professional and amateur alike. Founded in 1887, it is now one of the best courses in Scotland, and has hosted a large number of important championships.
The Nairn Golf Club has now been awarded No 11 in the definitive list of the Top 100 Courses in Scotland 2015 (Golf World Magazine).
“Nairn is a classic, traditional out-and-back links, and the opening half a dozen holes along the coast rival anything at more illustrious Scottish courses” said Jock Howard, commissioning editor at Golf World. “The putting surfaces are in immaculate condition and the variety of the examination never gets boring. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be on a sleepy summer afternoon.”
The Nairn Golf Club received high marks from the report’s illustrious panel of judges, which included three-times Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, Major winner Sandy Lyle, Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart and broadcasters Ewen Murray and Andrew Cotter. Also marking Scotland’s best were amateur legend and the driving force behind PowerPlayGolf Peter McEvoy, Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew and golf course designer David McLay Kidd.
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The Course
The Nairn Golf Club’s truly remarkable feature is that from every hole you can see the Moray Firth and the golden colouring and changing lights of the Black Isle. Even more extraordinary – only too easily you can strike the ball into the sea on every one of the first seven!
In fact, despite having been a scratch player, Viscount Whitelaw, Margaret Thatcher’s Deputy Prime Minister, would readily admit to having done just that. Willie (as everyone referred to him) learned his golf here, and like Robert Finlay, had the capacity for making friends. Charlie Yates of Atlanta, who won the Amateur Championship in 1938 at Troon and also captained the American Walker Cup Team at St Andrews that same year, had been introduced to our very own Kenny Cameron by the gofing journalist Sam McKinlay some years earlier. So began the American connection which has been nurtured ever since.
What delights the visitor and member alike is the Scottish-ness of the links. Other than in a strong westerly, it leads you in gently before demanding accurate driving and precision second shots. Gorse is a hazard. The par 4 holes tease and confound and all four short holes are cunningly angled, with the 4th a little gem and the 14th simply spectacular. As three of the par 5 holes are over 530 yards long, it is a test for all. Yet, even more challenging than the humps and hollows that lurk in the fairways, is the trickery of the greens. Eighty years ago, having played the Championship Course, James Braid commented on their quality – “The texture of the turf and the character of the greens is unrivalled”.
Also the 9 hole Cameron Course, though less challenging than the Championship Course, provides a fun round for the family or for those with less time on their hands! The practice area is ideal for warming up before a round or sharpening your short game.
We endeavour to reply to all enquiries and requests within a 48 hour period. For more urgent requests you can contact us on: +44 (0)1667 453208.
