While it may not have the same level of recognition as its illustrious neighbours, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is a fantastic links course that offers a true test of golf, demanding guile, accuracy, shot shaping, and a touch of luck to score well.
A Rich History of Golf and Resilience
Golf was first played at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club in 1899. Initially a modest 9-hole course, it expanded to 18 holes by 1924 and continued to evolve until the outbreak of World War II. The war took its toll on the course, as defensive structures were built, and the beach was heavily mined. Astonishingly, despite the obvious dangers, golf persisted throughout the war. The post-war years saw an immense effort by greenkeepers and local volunteers to restore the course to its former glory.
A Course Steeped in Natural Beauty and Sustainability
Though similar in length to its renowned neighbour, Nairn Dunbar offers a different links experience, with rolling fairways and challenging greens but without direct views of the adjacent beach—except at high tide when the Moray Firth encroaches on the far end of the course. The club has received global recognition for its commitment to sustainability, winning the 2021 Environmental Golf Course of the Year Award—beating 36,000 other courses worldwide.
Former Course Manager Richard Johnstone, one of only 87 Master Greenkeepers globally, spearheaded the restoration of the original links layout using sustainable management practices, ensuring firm, fast, and smooth greens through the reintroduction of fine-leaved grasses. Richard is now the Course Manager at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
A True Test of Links Golf
The 1st hole
Normally, when you are faced with a 420-yard par 4 as your first hole, you would think that’s a tough start. However, when it pays slightly downhill and the course is fast and running, that’s not the case. Hit the fairway and the ball runs for miles. Your challenge is avoiding bunkers that normally would be out of reach. A decent drive will leave you a mid to short iron to the green.
The 2nd and 3rd are short holes. The 2nd is a short par 4 where your approach shot is played to a green you can’t see. Judging your second shot is key to having a decent birdie chance.
The 3rd hole
The 3rd is a 190-yard par 3 with three bunkers guarding the front of the green. Make sure you take enough club to get to the middle of the green. If you do that you may have a good look at birdie.
Hard Stretch
The four-hole stretch from the 4th through the 7th is the hardest run of holes on the course. Holes 4 and 5 are 450-yard par 4’s. The 4th has a narrow fairway with trees and bushes on the left and gorse bushes on the right. It’s a terrific hole but you have to find the fairway off the tee. Find a bush off the tee and you can easily run up a high number.
The 5th green
The 5th is the most difficult hole on the course. Three bunkers guard the left side of the fairway and there is more gorse on the right. Add in that the green is long and narrow means it’s a tough par 4.
Aim Right
There is not much of a let-up on the 6th. Two bunkers on the left of the fairway mean you should favour the right side. Go too far right and there are bushes to contend with. Your approach shot is then played to a sloping green that sits 20 feet above you.
The 7th is slightly shorter at just under 400 yards but is no pushover. A slight dogleg right, the corner is protected by wetlands on the left and a bunker on the right of the fairway. Oh, and there’s out-of-bounds right and bushes on both sides. If your approach shot to the green is not up it will feed off left where a large bunker awaits.
The 8th hole
The 8th is a medium length par 3. Four bunkers guard the small green which you can’t see as it sits in a bowl. Judging the distance is imperative as anything short of the putting surface and over the bunkers will kick to the back left of the green. Anything long and you can forget about getting a par.
After the tough run of holes, the front nine ends with a great birdie opportunity. The first of four par 5’s on the course, the 9th is reachable in two if you miss the bushes just off the fairway on the right side. The green slopes right to left, any shot that lands in the left half of the green will end up in a run-off area.
Turning for Home
The 10th hole, a dogleg left has only one bunker, right on the corner but it also has a stream running down the left of the hole and past the green. If you avoid it off the tee, the danger isn’t over as a ball landing on the left side of the green could easily run off and into the burn. It’s not the second most difficult hole on the course for nothing.
Birdie Chances
While holes 4 through 7 were the hardest, holes 11 through 16 offer birdies. There are two reachable par 5’s, two shorter par 4’s and a 160-yard par 3.
The 13th hole
The 13th is the longest par 5 on the course at 530 yards. A burn runs diagonally across the fairway and is reachable for the longer hitter. The burn also continues up the left side. It’s an easier birdie chance if you lay up short of the green which has a ridge running through it. a good pitch shot to the right level gives you a makeable putt for birdie and at worst, an easy par 5.
Holes 14 and 15 offer realistic birdie chances. The 14th is a short par 4 which is all about position off the tee. Resist the temptation to open the shoulders with a driver as trouble awaits down the right side. Middle of the fairway with a 3 wood or hybrid leaves a short iron in and a putt for a 3. The 15th is the last par 3. The front half of the green is protected by 5 bunkers so take enough club. A shot to the heart of the green should give you a great birdie chance.
The 16th green
The 16th is a par 5 of just over 500 yards. You have to contend with four bunkers and a burn across the fairway which means it’s a difficult tee shot. Find the fairway and you have to decide whether to lay up or take on the green. Another four bunkers around the green and bushes and out of bounds to the right might mean a layup is your best option. It’s a great risk or reward hole.
Tough Finish
The 17th is all about the tee shot. You must lay up if you can’t carry the wide burn at 225 yards. The burn also runs down the right side of the fairway. Laying up short of the burn leaves a long second shot to a green that is difficult to judge. Take enough club to reach the centre of the putting surface, anything short will run off.
The 18th hole
The 500-yard par 5 18th is certainly not an easy birdie chance. Gorse bushes run all the way down the right side. Find the fairway and neither a layup, or going for the green is straightforward. A layup leaves a blind 3rd shot to a green that’s above you, over an embankment. Go for it and you have to favour the left side as anything short and right could end up out of bounds.
Beyond the Course: Local Attractions & Hospitality
Nairn Dunbar offers more than just great golf. The charming town of Nairn, known for its golden beaches and historic landmarks, is a fantastic place to explore. Cawdor Castle, a short drive away, is a must-visit, famous for its Shakespearean connection to Macbeth. Whisky lovers can tour the renowned Benromach Distillery in nearby Forres, while nature enthusiasts can take a boat trip to see dolphins in the Moray Firth.
The clubhouse at Nairn Dunbar provides a warm, traditional Scottish welcome, with excellent food and a well-stocked bar to enjoy post-round refreshments. The pro shop is staffed by knowledgeable professionals who ensure every golfer feels at home.
In Our Opinion
Playing at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club was an absolute pleasure. The course was in superb condition, with firm fairways, fast greens, and a brilliant balance of challenge and playability. A standout feature is the practice range, open 24/7, and accessible to members and visitors alike. The club’s initiative to collect and donate balls left on the range to junior golfers is a wonderful touch, promoting the future of the game.
For those seeking an authentic Scottish links experience without the crowds, Nairn Dunbar is an outstanding choice.
At a Glance:
- 18 holes of Championship Links golf
- Award-winning environmental course management
- Practice range (open 24/7)
- Practice green & bunkers
- Historic local attractions nearby
- Welcoming clubhouse & pro shop
- View the Nairn Dunbar website here
If you’re planning a golf trip to the Moray Firth, be sure to add Nairn Dunbar Golf Club to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed.
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If you want to reach over 400,000 golfers who love to travel, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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