Buchan St,
Macduff Aberdeenshire AB44 1TA
Office
+44 (0)1261 832 897Pro shop
+44 (0)1261 832 897Fax
+44 (0)1261 833 455Website
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NoneThe Course:
18 holes. Open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Clifftop course with abundant North Sea views.
Designer:
Original layout designed by George Smith (golf professional of Lossiemouth).
57.670501
-2.480901
o.5 mi E of Macduff / 44 mi NW of Aberdeen.
Royal Tarlair
Royal Tarlair Golf Club: situated in the town of Macduff, this clifftop seaside golf course commands panoramic views of the rugged North Sea coastline. Only a few miles along from the clubhouse is the village of Pennan, made famous by the film "Local Hero." In the case of Royal Tarlair, the "local heroes" who made the course a possibility in 1923 were the trustees of the Duke of Fife's estate. The trustees generously gifted this tract of land to the people of Macduff for the purpose of constructing a golf course.
Although parts of the course are lightly bunkered and a bit featureless, one hole not to be missed is the very scenic signature par-3 13th (known as the "Clivet"). This exhilarating hole will test your nerve to the limit, with a tee shot over a yawning gully. The North Sea provides the green with its immensely scenic backdrop.
This clifftop parkland layout presents a worthy challenge for the more serious golfer. It also offers enjoyable golf in a scenic seaside setting that golfers of all levels will enjoy. Potentially not so scenic are the club's plans for some housing development alongside the course and the installation of wind turbines, which could seriously take the edge of this otherwise very scenic course.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Players generally walk this course.
Limited
George V conferred the Royal prefix on the club in its founding year (1926), based on the patronage of his eldest daughter Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife. By royal prerogative, 10 Scottish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Aberdeen, Royal & Ancient (St Andrews), Burgess, Dornoch, Duff House, Montrose, Musselburgh, Perth, Tarlair and Troon.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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