I had already had a terrific start to the day with my wicked round at the Moray New Course. In the afternoon, I got the option to play Nairn Golf Club. Nairn is just 40 minutes by car from Moray, so I wasn’t in a hurry. Somehow, I was early enough to relax in the clubhouse before I walked to the first tee. Following my last Scottish trip, Nairn was already on my ‘must-play’ list, as I hadn’t had time to play it.

As I am sure you can imagine, I was excited to play it. From the first tee on, what a blast! The condition of the  course was incredible and incredibly tough. Nairn has a stunning and awesome setting along the coast with fantastic views over the Moray Firth and over to the Black Isle. What a special place!

It was very interesting to hear that if your ball ends up on the beach, well its not out of bounds so you have to play it as it lies. Over the course of time James Braid, Old Tom Morris Jnr and Ben Sayers have all had a hand in the course. The first hole I really want to talk about was No.4 called „Bunker“ with 160 yards from the white tees a mid length par 3 straight into a stiff ocean breeze.

The bunkering is very scary.  From the tee, you have no idea that the bunkers are there. Anyhow you have to treat all the bunkers over the course with respect as they can be real hazards.  Also, the course itself has a good amount of gorse on it, keep it straight and you will mainly stay out of trouble.

No.5 or call it „Nets“ has its tee box just behind the fourth green. It’s reachable for the long ones among us. But, with all the bunkers in front of the green that’s too tough for me. I played some decent golf though, Ok there was no wind at all but once again its Nairn Golf Club so I was really pleased.

A very important part of Nairn Golf Club is The historic Bothy, situated between the 9th green and the 10th tee it was accutally an Icehouse, for the purpose of catching and storing salmon.

Today the buildings have recently had a facelift and the Bothy has been transformed into a halfway house.

Another interesting hole from my point of view is No.13 aka. „Crown“. A long beast of a par4 with its 431 yards from the white tees. It turns inland and from the elevated green you have a brilliant view over the whole course. Unbeatable. The next interesting tester is No.16 „Road“. Again, a very long hole with 425 yards from white tees. I hit a terrible drive and ended up somewhere on the left side. From here I had to play a recovery shot back on the fairway.

Well, almost an advantage because of the typical ditch crossing the fairway in front of the green. 16 has a very mean special feature. Just after the ditch there are three defending pot bunkers. Shame on me, I walked off the green with a double bogey.

But, in summary, after 18 holes of fantastic links golf I headed towards the 19th with my special goodsundays.com smile. Nairn Golf Club is a brilliant course with a stunning stretch of holes from the 4th all the way to the 17th. Nairn should be on your Scotland list!