Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Key Information

The renowned links to the west end of the seaside resort of Nairn has remained in the top 40 of our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland rankings from the outset. It began life in 1887 when the club’s founder Robert Finlay, later Viscount Finlay, employed Andrew Simpson of Aberdeen to design a course. The layout was enhanced by Old Tom Morris and again by James Braid.

The latter was the first to break 70 around Nairn, a feat he accomplished in 1901. Further alterations have taken place over the years including interventions from Ben Sayers and later C.K Cotton. Most recently, Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie and Ebert has advised on improvements. The course hosted the 1999 Walker Cup and the 2012 Curtis Cup. The Amateur Championship visited for a second time in June 2021.

Gorse lined, criss-crossed by burns and pock marked by pot bunkers, Nairn delivers typical Scottish links golf. It’s an out-and-back layout with the sea visible on every hole. It's a thinker’s course with testing greens and run-off areas demanding careful placement.

There are many excellent and often well-bunkered holes, plus some magnificent views, especially from the elevated tee of the long par-3 14th playing back down towards the Firth.

Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie and Ebert has overseen a wholesale remodelling of the links, which started in winter 2018 and was completed in March 2020. All 18 holes have been altered, some more than others, with new bunkering, new tees and three new greens.

Some 39 former revetted fairway bunkers were given a rough-edged makeover, with many greenside bunkers remodelled.

Eleven new tees were added and three other tee complexes relocated; the 1st, 7th and 14th were given new greens; and a number of open sand areas were introduced.

Mackenzie’s changes have been a great success.

What The Top 100 Panel Said

James Pinkstone

A quintessential Scottish links with menacing run-offs and constant sea views. The standout features are the greens which are heavily guarded by large undulations, superb run-offs and fine links bunkering.

Richard Healy

The par 3s at various angles and lengths with tricky green complexes are challenging. The par 4s are a good mixture of lengths and challenges, greens and bunkering work well together as a good design should. Three good par 5s are true tests against the wind, they're well bunkered with many undulations offering variable lies for approaches to tricky greens.

The Par 3 4th was the standout memory for me, playing to a long angled green with four inviting bunkers snug to the beach.

Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Location

Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near to Nairn Golf Club Championship Course

CASTLE STUART GOLF LINKS (CABOT HIGHLANDS)

Now part of the impressive Cabot portfolio, Castle Stuart Golf Links is one of the most spectacular modern links courses to have been created anywhere this century.

The work of entrepreneurial golf designer Mark Parsinen and renowned course architect Gil Hanse, the layout played host to three consecutive Scottish Opens between 2011 and 2013 and then again in 2016.

Set over an incredible stretch of coastline, the links at Castle Stuart is incredibly natural and the holes make fabulous use of the terrain.

Hanse and Parsinen utilised what nature provided and tweaked it subtly to produce a course that is ostensibly simple yet far more complex when closely examined. It’s striking and beautifully maintained.

ROYAL DORNOCH

The philanthropist and industrialist Andrew Carnegie said of his home in Dornoch, “If there is heaven on earth, it is here.” It is a captivating place that will leave an indelible imprint on the memory.

It’s a beautiful setting and an equally attractive golf course, the holes blend so naturally with the surroundings it would be hard to believe it has not existed since time began.

Best Places To Stay near Nairn Golf Club Championship Course

Golf View Hotel and Spa - Book now at Booking.com
Overlooking the Moray Firth, with pretty gardens leading down to the seashore, the Golf View Hotel & Spa offers spacious rooms, elegant design and fine dining. It's a short stroll to the golf club.

Muthu Newton Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
Bordering the golf course and dating back to 1872, Muthu Newton Hotel was once regularly frequented by Charlie Chaplin.  It's a comfortable and elegant hotel with good sized rooms and an excellent restaurant.

Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Gallery

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Nairn Golf Club Championship Course Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

• 2025/26 - 38
• 2023/24 - 37
• 2021/22 - 35
• 2019/20 - 38
• 2017/18 - 33
• 2015/16 - 34
• 2013/14 - 30
• 2011/12 - 30
• 2009/10 - 25

Frequently Asked Questions