Nairn Golf Club: The country club links in the Highlands of Scotland

Jason Scott Deegan

August 4, 2015

NAIRN, Scotland -- Nairn Golf Club has the look and feel of a polished country club in the Scottish Highlands.

Everything about Nairn, founded in 1887, delivers a first-class day. The welcome in the clubhouse is warm. The history room upstairs is a one-of-a-kind collection of golf artifacts.

Outside, the 6,774-yard links tied to Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Ben Sayers is groomed to near perfection. The greens run as fast as any in Scotland.

Nairn, host of the 1999 Walker Cup and 2012 Curtis Cup, starts off with seven fine holes along the Moray Firth.

The most interesting stretch of golf, however, actually plays perpendicular to the shore. The 13th hole, the no. 1 handicap, climbs uphill to an elevated green. When the wind blows in, the 219-yard 14th hole, a gorgeous downhill par 3, and the 306-yard risk-reward 15th hole play oh-so difficult. Burns on the 16th and 17th and 10 bunkers on the par-5 18th formulate a stern finish.

Golfers can find shelter at the Golf View Hotel & Spa just down the road.

Jason Scott Deegan

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,000 courses and written about golf destinations in 20 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.

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