Castle Stuart, Inverness, Scotland

www.castlestuartgolf.com


Par all tees 72






Opened in 2009 by the American developer who built Kingsbarns in Fife, Castle Stuart golf links lies along the southern shore of the Moray Firth near Inverness.  It was designed by its developer, Mark Parsinen and US golf architect Gil Hanse and is a modern links course with some original links golf features such as a combination of revetted and natural bunkers and rumpling of fairways and approaches to greens.  Modern features include 'infinity' greens which lead the eye to distracting views of the Moray Firth and beyond.  The course is designed with holes screened by mounds so that it feels like a private golf course.

The par 3 4th with Castle Stuart in the background

The first nine holes lie on the west side of the art deco style clubhouse and the second nine to the east.  On each nine the first three holes hug the coastline and the rest are on a higher level with commanding 360 degree views.  One of the best holes is the 3rd which is a short par 4 finishing on a small promontory.  Placement of the drive rather than length is paramount or your ball will end up in a deep swale from which a par is unlikely.  The 4th is a pretty par 3 framed by the eponymous Castle Stuart, a 16th century tower house with links to Mary, Queen of Scots and the Earls of Moray. The course finishes with a downhill sweeping par 5 which for ladies is reachable in two with a favourable wind.  The fairways are generous but the greens are difficult or scary depending on the pin positions - a pin at the back of an infinity green with a following wind is particularly daunting.

This is a really good test of golf combined with a warm welcome from the staff.  On a windy autumn day don't miss the soup at the halfway house!

An infinity green at the 13th with Kessock Bridge at Inverness in the distance