Hopeman

Hopeman Golf Club, located in the Moray region of Scotland, is a short, but testing links course on the northeastern coastline of the country. 

Originally a 9-hole layout for its first 75 years, it became an 18-hole venue in 1985, and is now well known for being a testing links course. 

Although it is only 5,600 yards in length, there are gorse-lined fairways, plenty of bunkers and even a 100-foot drop on one of the par 3s – there is something for everyone.  

Visit Hopeman’s website here. 

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1909 saw the founding of Hopeman Golf Club, though it was actually just a nine-hole layout for the first 75 years of its history. 

The course was extended to an 18-holer in the mid-1980s, and in recent years, there have been some staged upgrades to the course thanks to Tom MacKenzie.

It might not be as well-known as some venues in the region, but Hopeman will certainly provide a stern test for golfers of all abilities. Following its extension to 18 holes, the course remains shy of 5,700 yards, but that does not mean that it isn’t tough. It is only a par 68, with plenty of quirky dog-legs, and a great set or par 3s. 

It begins with a pair of medium-length par 3s, and if you can keep your drives on the straight and narrow, then there is the chance of scoring well to start. A burn runs across in front of the 2nd green. The first of the five short holes comes at the 3rd. It is 170 yards from the tips, and played to a green guarded by a large tree front left, along with two bunkers to the front right. The only par 5 at Hopeman comes at the 4th. Depending on the distance off the tee, the ideal drive will either be to the right of the trees, or straight over them and over the corner of the dog-leg. There is OOB down the right side, but it requires a very wayward tee shot to find it. That OOB continues throughout the hole, with anything right of the green being in danger. 

5 and 6 are both quirky dog-legs to the right. The former is on the card at 330 yards, and the turn is almost a 90-degree angle. Play out to the left for safety, and to give yourself the best angle to the green. The 6th is the Stroke Index 1, featuring a left-to-right dogleg fairway and a new water hazard right in front of the tee. To make matters trickier, the fairway on this 380-yard par 4 is protected by out of bounds and bunkers, while the green is also heavily guarded. The 7th is a tough par 3, one of 190 yards, and with a burn running around the back of the green. A bunker front left adds to the danger. 

The quartet of par 4s around the turn all offer scoring chances. Avoid the bunkers down the right and the heather down the left, and you’ll be left with a good view of the green. The 9th is only 300 yards, and again, if you can avoid the three bunkers that cut info the fairway on the left side, then you’re in with a great chance. The back nine also begins with a 300-yard par 4, and the safe play is staying short of the two fairway bunkers – one on either side. From there, the approach will be around 100 yards into a generous putting surface. 11 features the most undulating fairway on the layout, giving you the proper links feel. It is around the 365-yard mark, but with a good drive, it offers up another scoring opportunity. 

The 12th is the signature hole at Hopeman. Named ‘Prieshach’, the green on this 150-yard par 3 sits roughly 100 feet below the tee box. The elevated tee box offers spectacular views over the Moray Firth, where on a clear day you can see the local dolphins playing, but don’t let that distract you from the tricky task at hand. 13 and 14 are both medium-length par 4s, with fairways that are lined on either side with gorse. 15 is the shortest hole on the course at just 135 yards, but the green is protected by gorse at its back, and three bunkers in front of the surface. 

Gorse also lines the 16th, a 380-yard par 4 that moves slightly from left to right. The drive should be aimed down the left side, but make sure you work out the distance to the gorse on the left side of the dog-leg, otherwise you will run out of fairway. Two bunkers protect the pear-shaped green. The penultimate hole at Hopeman is also the last of the par 3s. The tee shot can be run up on to the surface, but anything long will be swallowed up by the gorse. The 18th is a dog-leg left, and avoiding the bunker on the inside corner of the dog-leg is the key. A water hazard sits in front of the putting surface, while the car park looms in the background. A tough finishing hole, but one that rewards good approach shots.

Where is Hopeman Golf Club located?

Hopeman Golf Club is situated in the Moray region of Scotland, in the northeastern corner of the country. It is on the coastline of the North Sea, sitting to the east of the seaside village of Hopeman. The club is just six miles from the town of Lossiemouth, while Elgin and the A96 are around ten miles south. The cities of Inverness and Aberdeen are both within a two-hour drive from Hopeman.

For those using the Scottish rail service, Elgin is the nearest train station, situated in the centre of the town – ten miles from the golf club. For international visitors, Inverness Airport is the nearest major airport, sitting around 30 miles to the west of the golf club. Aberdeen Airport is within 70 miles, while Edinburgh Airport – the busiest in the country – is 170 miles to the south of Hopeman.

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

The northeastern corner of Scotland is home to amazing golfing venues, many of which are on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Moray, with its Old Course and New Course, along with Elgin, are all within a few miles of Hopeman. Nairn Dunbar and Nairn are also within 20 miles, with Grantown-on-Spey, Duff House Royal and the Castle Stuart Course at Cabot Highlands all within 40 miles of Hopeman.

What golf facilities does Hopeman Golf Club offer?

There is not a full driving range at Hopeman, but there is a short practice area to the side of the 18th hole. There is a short game area, including a practice bunker, while there is also a putting green next to the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Hopeman Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Hopeman 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 Hopeman, visit their website here.