Castle Stuart Golf Club

Castle Stuart is one of the best golf courses in Scotland, providing a good challenge for talented golfers while being playable for high handicappers, both of whom will enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery the country has to offer. 

Castle Stuart is the new star of Highlands golf and a feted host of the Scottish Open.

The most pertinent statement one can make about this modern links is that it has added something new and interesting to an area already blessed with golfing brilliance.

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And although it proved a challenge to the world’s finest in a couple of summers, it does not beast high handicap amateurs, as some new championship links do.

As BBC commentator Maureen Madill told Golf World: “Castle Stuart is a lovely course and it doesn’t totally destroy you. There are some nice elevated tees where you feel you can hit through the ball and the fairways are generous.

“If you want to get your approach shot close you need to favour certain sides of the fairway off the tee but if you’re happy to just hit fairways and then take your chances from there, as I am, it is excellent.”

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The brainchild of Mark Parsinen, the man behind Kingsbarns, it was designed by American Gil Hanse.

Hanse’s philosophy here was clear; get everyone in play off the tee. The fairways are astonishingly wide and even the most nervous driver will find some confidence on the tee.

But even if you find short grass, you will not necessarily have an attractive approach, because Castle Stuart is all about angles, and try to find greens from the wrong side of the fairway and you will face Mission: Improbable.

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The skilled and clever player will work back from the green to decide where to hit their drive. The rest of us can enjoy the short-game challenges our failed approaches will lead to. There are domed greens, bunkers and evil little ‘eyebrow’ tufts around the putting surfaces to confound you.

But Castle Stuart gives you every chance to score, and even if that fails, the coastal scenery is spectacular – it has few peers in Scotland.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course does not have: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course does not have: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Simply the Best 07 June 2012

  By chris banner

   I've played a few prestige courses in my time but Castle Stuart has to be the best of all.  We were blessed with beautiful weather and the experience was a dream.  Every hole has something special, we stood on most tees and said "Oh my God-how good is this"!  The views of the Moray Firth, Castle Stuart itself and the clubhouse are stunning.   Don't expect to score 36 points because it is not easy; the fairways,however, are wide so you do have to open your shoulders off the tee.  Greens were being protected and slightly slow  prior to the Scottich Open but I'd guess they could be superb on other occasions.  It's difficult to speak highly enough of Castle Stuart, whatever it costs, it's worth it!!