Spey Bay

Spey Bay Golf Club is almost one of a kind in the Moray region of Scotland, and it plays on that uniqueness incredibly well. 

Founded in 1907 and designed originally by the legendary Ben Sayers, the course is currently undergoing a stunning transformation. 

This out-and-back links will soon be fully reversible, with 22 greens and five different routings, making it one of the most unique true links courses in the world. 

Visit Spey Bay’s website here.

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Spey Bay, like many venues in this part of Scotland, dates back well over 100 years. The course was first laid out in 1907.

The legendary Ben Sayers – runner-up in the 1888 Open Championship – was the man behind the out and back design of the golf course.

In recent years, Clayton, DeVries and Pont have been brought in to oversee significant changes to the golf course. The plan is to see 22 green complexes and five different routings for the course, one that will be fully reversible when completed.

The course is a picturesque, undulating links with a long beach on one side. The fairways are lined with swathes of gorse and heather while shingle and the beach also form a border at some holes. Each hole at Spey Bay requires a good deal of thought from the tee and a deft touch around the greens. Although just over 6,200 yards long, it presents a challenge worthy of any keen golfer. 

The opening six holes all run in a straight line on the inner half of the property, with gorse lining much of the right side throughout. It begins with one of its toughest holes, a 425-yard par 4 that requires a lengthy and accurate drive. 2 and 3 are very similar, both moving from right to left, with gorse on either side. The 3rd has extra danger, in the former of the quartet of fairway bunkers that sit on the inside corner of the hole. The first of the par 3s at Spey Bay comes at the 4th. Anything long will find itself in trouble, with thick trees and gorse sitting just feet from the edge of the putting surface. The miss is short right on this 195-yard par 3. 

The 5th is another lengthy par 4, but one that has a relatively wide fairway to attack. Heather to the left and gorse to the right make it feel narrower than it actually is. The green on this 440-yard hole is protected by a pair of bunkers that line either side of the surface. The dog-leg left that lies in front of you may well fool you off the 6th tee. Although it is only 325 yards, it still requires two solid shots to find the green. The tee shot must be down the right side to open out the hole and give you the best view. From there, the approach is played over a burn to a very small target. Avoiding the fairway bunkers down the left side is the key on the 7th. If you can do so, this becomes a birdie opportunity, but again, finding the green is a must. 

The 8th is the smallest hole on the course and sits at the very far end of the property. The tee is almost on the beach, and you play inland from the North Sea to a green that is incredibly shallow and perched on a hillock. Club selection is crucial despite the hole being less than 140 yards. With OOB down the left, the 9th is one of the few holes where a miss to the right off the tee is not the worst thing. It is a par 5 of 470 yards, and offers up a good birdie chance. The 10th is another – a par 4 of just 340 yards. Again, like on 7, avoiding the fairway bunkers is vital. 

The 11th brings the North Sean into play properly for the first time, though you end up playing away from it with your approach. Akin to the 6th, it is a dog-leg left but there is a much wider fairway to aim for. A solitary pot bunker sits front right of a small, circular putting surface. 12 is the longest par 4 on the back nine, pushing towards 420 yards from the tips. A fairway bunker on the right side needs to be avoided if you are to make it in regulation. 13 is the first of the short holes on the back side at Spey Bay, and with no bunkers, heather or gorse in play, it feels like a generous hole to play. However, at almost 200 yards, par is no mean feat. The 14th is another slight dog-leg left which takes you away from the beach. Aim over the heather on the left side for the shortest line to the fairway, before attacking the long, narrow and rectangular green with your approach. 

The closing stretch begins with the last of the par 3s, the 15th. Playing with the North Sea as its backdrop, it is the signature hole on the property. There are four sand traps, with the biggest of those being the beach that sits just a few yards behind the green. 16 is the longest hole on the course at 520 yards, but it is a par 5 that is reachable with your second if you can get a good drive away down the left side. The 17th is another good birdie chance on your way home. At just 340 yards and with one of the widest fairways on the course, this is a green light off the tee. The closing hole at Spey Bay is a par 4 of more than 400 yards. The miss is left, onto the 1st, if any. Anything right will flirt with the OOB where the practice area lies. The green is protected by three bunkers, two of which sit behind the surface.

Where is Spey Bay located?  

Spey Bay Golf Club is situated in the Moray region of Scotland, along the northeastern coastline of the country. The golf course looks out over the North Sea, with the water coming into play throughout the back nine. It is right next to Spey Bay Beach, and the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre. Inland, the town of Fochabers is around five miles away, while the city of Inverness is around 50 miles to the west. 

Inverness is also the home of the nearest airport to Spey Bay – around 45 miles away from the club, with the airport sitting on the eastern side of the city. Aberdeen International Airport is also within 60 miles, while Edinburgh Airport – the nation’s largest and busiest airport – is around 175 miles to the south. The closest train stations are in either Elgin or Keith, both a 15-mile drive from Spey Bay. The two stops sit on the same line, which runs between Inverness and Aberdeen.

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

The Moray coastline of Scotland is home to a number of venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Elgin and Moray – with its Old Course and New Course – are both within 15 miles of Spey Bay, while the likes of Nairn, Nairn Dunbar and Duff House Royal are also within 35 miles.

What golf facilities does Spey Bay offer?

There is a small practice facility at Spey Bay, which sits between the closing hole and the beach. It is around 120 yards long, and perfect for those who want to work on their wedge play before taking to the course. There is also a small putting green by the opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Spey Bay? 

The price of a green fee at Spey Bay 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 Spey Bay, visit their booking website here.