Nobody knows for sure, but most people agree that golf, as we know it today, originated in Scotland sometime in the 15th century.
It’s no surprise then that people from all over the world head to Scotland and the Highlands to sample some of the finest courses on the planet. In this article, we’ll talk about which famous clubs are open for pay-and-play visitors, whilst touching on the more exclusive clubs.
Pay-And-Play Courses:
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Situated in stunning Sutherland, Royal Dornoch Golf Club can be traced back to 1616 and makes for a tremendous experience for avid golfers. Visitors are welcome 7 days a week subject to availability.
Green fees for the Championship Course are £280 for a single round (April-October), and £155 (November-March), whereas the fees are more affordable at the Struie Course: £90 (April-October), £62.60 (November-March).
Want to play more than one course? Royal Dornoch is part of the Highland Golf Links which is a partnership of golf venues that also comprise Castle Stuart and Nairn. Packages which include three rounds and two nights of bed and breakfast can be sought.
Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
Laying on the Chanonry Peninsula in Black Isle, Fortrose Golf Club is an award-winning course that brings golf fans from all over.
Green fees differ on weekdays and also times of the year but as an example, November to March warrants £40 for adults for a round on the weekend (£15 for juniors), and £105 for March to November (£35 for juniors).
Nairn Golf Club
In gorgeous Moray Firth, Nairn Golf Club extends out 6,765 yards over 18 holes and has been welcoming visitors ever since its first opening in 1899.
If you want to play this stunning course, a round ticket costs £35 per person from November to March, and £65 per person from April to October.
As noted, this club offers packages with Dornoch and Castle Stuart so it’s worth comparing packages if you intend on playing several rounds of golf in the Highlands.
Brora Golf Club
Brora Golf Club was designed by renowned course designer James Braid and it’s been described as one of his finest pieces of work offering a brilliant balance between being formidable and fun.
The course is located in Sutherland and green fees differ substantially depending on whether you are a member of a UK club or from overseas.
For example:
- May-Oct: £140 for overseas, £95 for UK members
- March: £80 for both
- April: £140 overseas, £95 for UK members
Castle Stuart Golf Links/Cabot Highlands
Previously known as Castle Stuart, Cabot Highlands is a lovely course located in Inverness-shire. This course possesses extraordinary open views throughout and surrounds a 400-year-old Castle.
Visitors can pay £295 for a round of 18 holes between May and October, and £50 during April. Moreover, golf and stay packages are on offer which incorporates accommodation and several rounds of golf which will likely be better value for golf aficionados.
Exclusive Golf Courses
Some readers may be wondering about the omission of certain famous clubs and that’s because some prestigious courses are only open to paying members of the club.
Here are some of those famous clubs:
● Skibo Castle – Carnegie Links, Sutherland
● Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Course, Aviemore
● Loch Lomond Golf Club, Argyll & Bute
Packages Are Your Friend
As already noted, some of these courses offer packages and partnerships with other clubs across the Highlands which offer golf fans variety, world-class golf, and value.
It certainly pays to shop around for packages when it comes to golfing in this region and staying at the club itself means that you don’t have to worry about driving back to accommodation after a long 18 holes of golf.
This is one of the best regions on the planet for playing the sport, the hardest thing might be deciding where you’re going to play!
What is your favourite course to play in the Highlands and why?
Let us know in the comments below!
