Balnaglack Farmhouse, Dalcross,
nr Inverness, Inverness-shire IV2 7JL
Office
+44 (0)1463 796 111 (bookings)Pro shop
+44 (0)1463 795 440Fax
+44 (0)1463 796 127Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Gillian Stewart (multiple Ladies European Tour winner).The Course:
18 holes. Coastal links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb
Surroundings:
Seaside and rural countryside.
Designer:
Mark Parsinen & Gil Hanse
57.529096
-4.098758
6 miles NE of Inverness
From Inverness follow the A96 east, direction Nairn. After 4 miles turn left onto the B9039, direction Castle Stuart. After 1.5 mls golf entrance is on your left.
Castle Stuart
Castle Stuart Golf Links has given the Scottish Highlands another world-class coastal treasure, joining an impressive list of golf courses that includes the likes of Royal Dornoch, Nairn and the private Skibo Castle. Just a stone's throw from the infamous battlefield of Culloden, Castle Stuart commands spectacular views from all its wonderfully crafted holes.
Whether at the sea's edge, as on the first three holes of each nine-hole loop, or up on the course's higher elevations, the views here are stunning beyond compare. The ever-present spectacular vistas take in the Moray Firth, Chanonry Peninsula (and lighthouse), Black Isle, Highland mountain ranges and the Kessock Bridge, which crosses the Beauly Firth at Inverness. As you play round Castle Stuart you are never without a spectacular view to admire.
The layout itself combines the smooth lines of a modern-day design with the rugged character and features of a much older layout. Several "infinity" greens provide spectacular tee and approach shots, with the Firth, the mountains or Castle Stuart itself providing scenic backdrops to several greens. "Ease of play" considerations and the layout's exposed position directly alongside the Firth, encouraged designers Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse to incorporate wide fairways into the layout. Some of the fairways are so generous, you'd be seriously embarrassed to miss them.
Large and extravagantly undulating greens are matched by the exuberance of some of the bunkering. A mix of revetted pot bunkers and more expansive rustic bunkering reaches epic proportions with an elaborate sand hazard separating the long par-4 5th and par-5 6th fairways. There's also a dramatic sand cliff flanking the tee-boxes of the fabulous par-4 13th. Castle Stuart is as scenic as any golf course in Scotland, and right up there with the best. This might explain the fairly hefty green fee, making it one of the most expensive courses to play among its esteemed Highland peers!
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends during golf season (April thru' mid-Nov).
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, day tickets, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2019].
Castle Stuart is a walking-only course; golf carts are not available. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Excellent
The construction of the Castle Stuart (the castle) was started by Mary Queen of Scots' half-brother, James Stuart, the 1st Earl of Moray. He was unfortunately murdered, as was the 2nd Earl, so the castle was eventually finished in 1625 by James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray. The castle fell into decline later in the 1600s, and for 300 years remained a derelict ruin. Its wonderful recent restoration is the inspiration of two current day members of this noble Scottish lineage, Charles and Elizabeth Stuart.
Castle Stuart Golf Links opened for play in July 2009, and now offers its own onsite accommodation. The original Castle Stuart, which is adjacent to the golf course, offers 8 historic guest-rooms.
World: 66th best course in the world (GOLF magazine, 2020/21).
GB&I: 33rd best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2020/21).
Scotland: 16th best course in Scotland (Golf World, 2021).
Balnaglack Farmhouse, Dalcross, nr Inverness IV2 7JL.
+44 1463 796 111
Visit websiteCastle Stuart offers a range of onsite accommodation, including the Farmhouse (sleeps 8), Golf Lodge (sleeps 6) and Castle Cottage (sleeps 8). All have been recently refurbished and offer comfortable onsite accommodation. The actual castle itself (Castle Stuart) is a classic Scottish baronial castle, currently being refurbished. In future it will offer 5-star luxury boutique-style hotel accommodation.
Castle Stuart
No
Inverness; Nairn; Nairn Dunbar
Culloden, Inverness IV2 7BZ
+44 (0)1463 790 461
Visit websiteCulloden House Hotel is one of the finest luxury hotels in Scotland, and the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for its accommodations and fine cuisine. The house is a fine Georgian mansion incorporating much of the original fortified house/castle within its structure.
No
Castle Stuart; Inverness
Nairn; Nairn Dunbar
Tournaments:
Women’s major championships: the month of June sees two women’s majors: the US Women’s Open (June 3-6), with A Lim Kim defending, and the Women’s PGA Championship (June 24-27), with Sei Young Kim defending.
Senior PGA Championship: the revered Southern Hills in Oklahoma hosts the 81st staging of this event (May 27-30); Ken Tanigawa holds the title from its last playing in 2019.
Who's Who:
Phil Mickelson: in winning the 2021 PGA Championship, the world’s most famous “leftie” became the oldest winner of a golf major championship.
Hideki Matsuyama: became the first Japanese professional to win a men’s major championship, when he triumphed in this year’s Masters Tournament.
New 27-hole golf complex to be built in southern Belgium
A new golf complex in southern Belgium, close to the border with Luxembourg, will start construction in June 2021.
American Dunes opens for play following Nicklaus transformation
Nicklaus Design has transformed the former Grand Haven Golf Club in Michigan into the American Dunes Golf Club, a new public course that is now open for play
New course opens for play at Barnbougle
Bill Coore designs 14-hole layout with “sporty” holes on dune ridge above Lost Farm (golf carts allowed).
Gamble Sands opens short course:
David McLay Kidd’s 14-hole QuickSands short course has opened for play at Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington.
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