Grantown-on-Spey

Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club is one of several high-class golfing venues in the Scottish Highlands, with the course sitting on the River Spey.

The club began life as a 9-holer back in 1890, with A.C. Brown designing the course. Willie Park Jr then extended the course to 18 holes, with the great James Braid improving the layout in the 1920s.

Today, it is a course that has three distinct sections. There is a flat parkland section to begin with, before a woodland run and then some hilly parkland holes to finish. 

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Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club dates back to the 19th Century, having been established as a 9-hole course in 1890.

A.C. Brown was the man behind the design of the original course, which was then extended by Willie Park Jr in the 1910s.

Five-time Open Champion James Braid then visited a decade later to provide his expertise, and the improvements that followed have remained relatively unchanged in the century that has past.

Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club is rather unique in its makeup, as it consists of three distinct sections. The first third is fairly flat parkland before the middle holes wind through woodland. Finally it emerges in to a more hilly parkland phase. All while under the watching eyes of the Cairngorms National Park. It is certainly not the longest course in the world, at well under 6,000 yards, but this par 70 does have its quirks and challenges.

It begins with five consecutive par 4s, all of which are very different. The opening hole is only 287 yards, so those feeling confident may well take out the driver with their first tee shot and go for the green. The 2nd is the longest par 4 on the course, and the Stroke Index 2 at Grantown-on-Spey. Bunkers are dotted down this 440-yard hole, including two by the green. The 3rd is also just over 400 yards, with the tee shot played over a water hazard which then runs down the left side of the fairway. It is also in play at the green, along with the thick bunch of trees on the right.

You turn back towards the club to play the 4th and 5th, both of which are birdie chances. The former is only 308 yards from the back tees, so driver might not be necessary. A bunker on either side of the fairway needs to be avoided off the tee, with three more by the green. 5 is slightly longer, at 360 yards, and with a total of seven bunkers in play. Three of those are cross bunkers some 50 yards shy of the green, so check your distance to the green with your approach to not get fooled by those. The 6th is the only par 5 on the property, and there is a water hazard running across the fairway. Make sure your tee shot stays short of that before having a crack at this green with your second shot.

The same water hazard runs across the 7th, but it should not be in play off the tee. Four bunkers and water on either side of the green make the approach difficult. The 8th is the first of three par 3s at Grantown-on-Spey. It is 160 yards, and plays to a small target, guarded by two bunkers. The 9th is the second short par 4 on the course at just 275 yards. Again, driveable, but whether you want to risk it is the decision to be made – especially with the River Spey on your right. The river is also in play down the right of the 10th, along with the same burn that has run across 6 and 7. That runs around 50 yards in front of the green, so take that into account on your approach.

The 11th is one of two par 3s on the back side at Grantown-on-Spey, and the longest of the 3s at 191 yards. A bunker on the left of the green is the danger. The 12th is the Stroke Index 1, and the tee shot is played over the previous green, and the same burn you have encountered several times. Two fairway bunkers on the inside corner of this dog-leg right make the hole even more difficult. 13 is the first of four sub-300-yard par 4s in the closing stretch, which offers up plenty of chances on the run for home. At 295 yards, it is not necessarily drivable, especially with the bunkers that guard the surface. The 14th is the longest hole you will find in the last section of the layout, at almost 390 yards. Avoid the water that comes into play down the left side and you will have a shot at the green, one with bunkers on either side.

265 yards is all that lies in front of you on the par 4 15th. However, the green is hidden behind trees on this dog-leg right. Although it is such a short hole, the play is down the left side with a long iron, before knocking a wedge close for birdie. 16 is the shortest hole on the property at just 140 yards, but there are six bunkers awaiting anything mishit on the final par 3 of the day. The 17th is 275 yards, and three cross bunkers situated in front of the green might stop some from taking it on. The closing hole at Grantown-on-Spey is another short par 4, one of just 290 yards. The road runs across this fairway some 60 yards from the green, so work out whether you want to try and carry that or play short of it with your tee shot. The final green is inviting, even with the two bunkers protecting the surface.

Where is Grantown-on-Spey located?

Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club is located just outside the town of Grantown-on-Spey in the Scottish Highlands. It sits on the banks of the River Spey, with the water coming into play on several occasions throughout a round. Aviemore is 15 miles to the southwest, while Inverness is the nearest major city, some 35 miles to the northwest of Grantown-on-Spey.

For international travellers, Inverness is also the home to the nearest airport, while Aberdeen International Airport is 75 miles to the east. The country’s largest airport – Edinburgh Airport – is 140 miles of the south. Carrbridge is the closest train station to Grantown-on-Spey, but that is ten miles to the west. Trains run between Glasgow Queen Street and Inverness via Carrbridge on a regular basis.

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

Along with Grantown-on-Spey, Boat of Garten and Spey Valley are both in the same region. Both are within 15 miles from Grantown-on-Spey. To the north, the likes of Nairn Dunbar, Nairn, Cabot Highlands and Elgin are all within 35 miles.

What golf facilities does Grantown-on-Spey offer?

The practice area at Grantown-on-Spey runs along the side of the 2nd fairway, to the eastern side of the clubhouse. There is also a short game area by the clubhouse, with the practice putting green between the clubhouse and the opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Grantown-on-Spey?

The price of a green fee at Grantown-on-Spey 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 Grantown-on-Spey, visit their booking portal here.