Stonehaven

Stonehaven may well be one of the shortest courses in the region, but it is also one of the most picturesque thanks to its location. 

It sits around 15 miles south of Aberdeen, with the course perched on the clifftops and overlooking the North Sea. If you’re lucky, you might catch the odd dolphin frolicking around in the water below. 

It is only 5,100 yards, but with just the one par 5 compared to the seven par 3s, a trio of which come back-to-back in the back nine, there is plenty to test you throughout a round at Stonehaven. 

Visit Stonehaven’s website here.

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The history of Stonehaven Golf Club dates to 1888, with the first clubhouse opening a year later. The original chimney stack still stands by the 7th tee.

The course originally had 10 holes, before being reduced to nine holes in 1890. Seven years later, the “new” course and clubhouse on the present site was opened. 

The great James Braid – five-times a winner of the Open Championship - played a challenge match here on August 18, 1906 against his nephew Archie Simpson, the professional at Royal Aberdeen. Afterwards, Braid and Simpson together planned improvements to the course.

During the Second World War, a German aircraft, fleeing home after a raid, dropped a bomb on the course only a hundred yards or so from the clubhouse. The crater it left, known as Hitler’s Bunker, remains clearly visible today – and is very much in play between the 1st and 2nd fairways.

Stonehaven features a number of dramatic short holes played over deep gullies and along the top of steep cliffs. The lush inland-turf fairways and greens are renowned for being among the best in the north east of Scotland. The course provides stunning views of the North Sea, Stonehaven Bay and the town itself – including the ancient fortress of Dunnottar Castle. Porpoises, dolphins and seals can often be seen in the bay – though if your concentration is on the next shot then you may not notice them. It is one of the shortest courses on the NCG Top 100s website, coming in at just 5,100 yards from the tips, but this par 66 still has a bite to it. 

Those aforementioned views can take your breath away from the off, on the opening tee box. The longer hitters might fancy their chances on this 305-yard par 4, but with cliffs looming on the right, the safe play is to just find the fairway and to leave yourself with a simple shot to the green. The 2nd tee sits right atop the cliffs, and it is the best place on the course to spot any dolphins roaming the North Sea. However, you need to focus on the task at hand, as the 2nd is a 205-yard par 3 that require all your attention, and a very solid shot. The 3rd is another good birdie chance with a decent drive down the left side. A burn and OOB both run down the right side, so make sure that you aim out to the left for safety, especially as the fairway also cambers from left to right as well. 

The 4th features a blind shot, with the aiming point being just to the left of the marker post. The green sits above you, so take an extra club for your approach as being short will leave a tricky up and down. The 5th tee takes you over a gully, which is part of the Highland Fault Line. At just 250 yards, this par 4 is easily the Stroke Index 18 and a bogey here will really feel like a nightmare. The 6th is the first of back-to-back par 3s on the front side at Stonehaven, with the approach to the green being played over the 5th green as well. Right is the miss here, as anything left will see you reaching into your bag for another golf ball. 7 is the signature hole, another par 3 but this time played back over the Highland Fault Line to a green that is also guarded by several bunkers. 

You cross the railway line to take on the next section of the course, one that takes you through a quintet of different par 4s. The tracks run down the left side of the 398-yard 8th, but should only come into play if you really pull one in that direction... The fairway does camber towards the tracks, so aim down the right side for the best line in to the green. 9 and 10 give you chances to score. Again, the miss is right off the 9th tee, with plenty of space on that side. Long hitters might get close to this green, and will aim to leave themselves with a simple up and down for birdie. At 272 yards, the 10th is another drivable short par 4, but it does play as a slight dog-leg left around the trees. Bunkers in the fairway, and by the green, add to the difficulty. 

The 11th is the only par 4 on the property of more than 400 yards. It is arrow straight, but anything left off the tee will be in trouble, with OOB running down the entirety of the left side. A fairway bunker also sits on the right side, just to add to the troubles you face off this tee. The approach really needs to be carried all the way to the putting surface. You then cross back over the railway line again, with your tee shot on 12 taking you across the 4th and 16th fairways. Centre of the green is all you need here to give yourself the best shot at walking away with a par. 

Stonehaven then has the very rare trio of par 3s throughout the middle of the back nine. 13 is the first, and longest of those at 190 yards. It is a blind hole, with two marker posts. From the back tees, the one on the left is the line for the centre of the green, and you’ll be happy to hit it! Although 14 might be 20 yards shorter, the difficulty is arguably higher thanks to the burn running across the front and the right side of the putting surface. Anything right of this green will find itself in deep trouble, so the miss is left, even if you find the greenside bunker. The 15th green sits in a little bowl, so it is more forgiving than on first look. At 160 yards, it is the shortest of the trio of par 3s, and offers a good chance for birdie. 

The closing stretch at Stonehaven begins with the course’s only par 5. The 16th is the longest hole on the property at 482 yards, and features the railway track down the right side throughout. Left is okay off the tee, so don't be afraid to aim a little further left just in case. Longer hitters will definitely fancy their chances of making it home in two. 17 is another great birdie chance at just 310 yards. Big hitters can reach, but for us mere mortals, there is a generous fairway to find which whatever club you choose. Anything long of this green might find itself running into the car park. The final hole is the longest and toughest of the par 3s, especially if you have a good score in your pocket. At 211 yards, it requires a long and solid approach shot to a green guarded by sand. Long is no good, but there is plenty of space short of the green.

Where is Stonehaven Golf Club located?  

Stonehaven Golf Club sits on the eastern side of Scotland, just to the north of the town of Stonehaven. The course overlooks Craigeven Bay and the North Sea, while the A92 runs alongside the western side of the property. The course is also of interest to geologists as it lies on the Highland Fault Line, which divides Scotland from west to east. The city of Aberdeen is around 15 miles away to the north of Stonehaven. 

Thanks to its proximity to the city, Aberdeen International Airport is the closest airport to the golf club. It is within 20 miles of Stonehaven, and Aberdeen is the third busiest airport in the country – behind only Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stonehaven has its own train station, which sits on the line that runs between Aberdeen and Perth. Trains run in both directions on a regular basis.

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

There is plenty of amazing golf in the northeastern region of Scotland. The likes of Trump International, Murcar Links, Royal Aberdeen and Newmachar’s Hawkshill Course are all within 25 miles to the north of Stonehaven, while Montrose (1562) and Edzell (Old) are within 30 miles to the southwest.

What golf facilities does Stonehaven Golf Club offer?

There is not a driving range at Stonehaven due to the limited space on the coastline of Scotland, but the club does have hitting nets and a putting green to allow golfers to get a feel for the course.

What are the green fees at Stonehaven Golf Club?  

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