Elgin

Elgin Golf Club is home to one of the premier inland golf courses in the north of Scotland, one that will test golfers of all abilities.

Originally a 9-holer, it became 18 holes in 1924, and CK Cotton came in to extend and improve the layout in the 1960s.

Today, this par 71 layout runs through the trees, and there is plenty of trouble. However, play it well, and you will also get chances to score! 

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The history of Elgin Golf Club dates to the early 20th Century. The club was founded in 1906, with the original 9-hole course being opened a year later.

It was the work of John MacPherson, who then worked as the Head Greenkeeper at the venue for more than four decades.

The course was extended to 18 holes in 1924, before an extensive redesign of the layout was undertaken in the 1960s. This was done under the guidance of CK Cotton with the current 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes all added.

Elgin Golf Club is a testing layout that is among the finest inland courses in the northern part of Scotland. There is the added beauty of the panoramic views looking north over the city of Elgin, and the hills stretching towards the distant Cairngorm Mountains to the south. In recent years, a couple of long par 4s have been turned into par 5s. That means the total yardage climbs just above 6,500 yards and the par is a much more reasonable 71.

However, the opening hole remains a stiff test. A 457-yard par 4 gets you on your way at Elgin, with the fairway sitting above the tee shot as well. OOB is down the left side thanks to the road, and there are three greenside bunkers to contend with. is another long par 4, playing as a dog-leg left around trouble. OOB remains down the left side of the entire hole, while the green sits slightly above the level of the fairway. A stream runs behind the green as well, for anything that is slightly overhit. If you can be level par to your handicap after the opening two holes, then you have made a solid start at Elgin.

The 3rd throws up the first real birdie opportunity. It is 370 yards from the tips, and the danger off the tee is the two fairway bunkers down the left side. Trees do line the fairway, but the short grass is wide enough to be found. The green is guarded by two more bunkers, but two solid shots here and you’re putting for a red number. 4 is the first of the short holes at Elgin, and it is a tricky one. It is less than 160 yards, but the green falls out severely on three sides, making accuracy vital. Although an uphill approach lies in wait, the 5th is another scoring chance. It is a 485-yard par 5, and if you can avoid the three fairway traps, then you can lay up to the right spot for your third. The green sits above the surface of the fairway, and it is raised on all sides, so approaches have to be spot on.

Any shots you might have got back on 3 or 5? They could well go on the 221-yard par 3 6th. With at least a long iron, if not fairway wood in hand, the green will look small – especially with the runoffs at the back on both sides. The 7th is a much easier short hole. Three bunkers guard the putting surface, but it is 165 yards, making it feel much nicer than what came before it. You do then come to a tough run of holes around the turn. 8 is a 460-yard par 4 with a large beech tree cutting into the left side of the fairway. This must be avoided off the tee to even have a chance of making the green in regulation. The last hole on the front nine features OOB by the green, which also sits above the level of the fairway. Throw in the 433-yard 10th and if you can come through this run unscathed, you've done very well indeed.

11 is a dog-leg left around the perimeter of the property, and requires a very accurate drive. Trees and OOB down the left, a large grassy quarry down the right, there isn’t too much that looks in your favour off the tee. 12 offers up a real chance, with the longer hitters having the option to take on the green at just 280 yards. Three bunkers sit in front of the green, so for those playing safe, anything around the 240-yard mark will leave you with a short pitch on to the green. The 13th is also scorable at just 330 yards. The tee shot is played over a ridge and to a downhill fairway, so if you can find the short stuff, you will get good roll out. The green sits above the level of the fairway once again, and there is a shelf that must be carried, otherwise your ball will start rolling back towards you.

The 14th is a 465-yard par 4, but it does play uphill to make it more difficult than it originally sounds. Known as ‘The Spectacles’ thanks to the bunkers in front of the green, this is another good scoring chance. 15 is the final par 3 at Elgin, and it is another strong short hole. 190 yards from the tips, with two bunkers short left and one short right, plus runoffs at the back and right of the green – you have to be accurate with a long club in hand.

The closing stretch at Elgin begins with another long and tough par 4. The 16th is 420 yards, and moves slightly round to the right. A good drive will find the fairway, but might still be blocked from seeing the green due to the large hump and the tree sitting front right of the surface. 17 is another scoring chance at just 340 yards. With three bunkers in play off the tee, driver might not necessarily be the play. Four more traps sit in front of the surface, so make sure you take enough club to cover those. The closing hole is a strong, 450-yard par 4. Again, like several others around the layout, the green sits above the surface of the fairway, and requires a high approach shot to hold it. Do so, and there is a chance at birdie in front of the clubhouse.

Where is Elgin Golf Club located?

Elgin Golf Club sits just to the south of the town of Elgin, in the Scottish region of Moray. The coastline of the country is just eight miles to the north, in the town of Lossiemouth, with the course sitting just a mile from the A96 – which runs from Inverness in the west through to Aberdeen on the eastern coastline. The former is 40 miles away, while Aberdeen is around 65 miles to the southeast.

Elgin Station sits in the centre of the town, with trains following the A96, running between Inverness and Aberdeen on an irregular basis each day. Those two cities also have their own airports, with Aberdeen International Airport seeing more than two million passengers being serviced each year. Aberdeen International is 60 miles to the southeast of Elgin, while Edinburgh Airport – the country’s largest airport – is around 175 miles to the south.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

Elgin is one of several courses on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list that sits on close to the northeastern coastline of Scotland. Moray, with both its Old and New layouts, is only seven miles to the north. Nairn, Nairn Dunbar and Cabot Highlands are within 35 miles to the west, with Duff House Royal the same distance along the coast to the east. The trio of Grantown-on-Spey, Boat of Garten and Spey Valley are also within 50 miles inland to the south.

What golf facilities does Elgin Golf Club offer?

Along with the 18-hole championship offering, Elgin also has some great practice facilities. The driving range and long game area sit opposite the 3rd tee, and do require driving to from the clubhouse, with balls available at the pro shop. There is a great short game area behind the clubhouse, with a practice bunker and large green to work with. The putting green sits next to the clubhouse, and on the walk towards the opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Elgin Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Elgin Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Elgin, visit their website here.