Our History

“If you don’t add Golspie to the list you are missing a real treat.”

Golspie has a reputation as one of Scotland’s top golf destinations, with some of the best holes in the Highlands amongst some of the most striking landscapes the country has to offer. And although the club was founded in 1889, the area’s golfing credentials stretch even further back into the history of the sport…

A Historic Location

The Sutherland Golfing Society regularly held events in the shadow of Ben Bhraggie, dating back decades before Golspie Golf Club officially came into being. The Field magazine reported in 1878, for instance, that 17 competitors battled fierce conditions to compete for a silver medal presented by Dr Gunn of the Indian Army.

And as the region’s reputation grew, Society members took it upon themselves to found the club to cement its place in golfing history.

By 1895, The Golfer’s Guide for the United Kingdom hailed Golspie as “an excellent course of nine holes” which, by 1905, was extended to a full 18 and opened by the Duchess of Sutherland.

Innovative Course Design

The greenkeepers continued to make improvements to the course over the following years and, in 1925, famed golf course designer James Braid was invited to make his mark on the course.

His improvements – which included adjusting the layout, adding a number of bunkers and relocating some greens – were completed by 1926.

The Cup green, which once sat in the hollow short of the present-day 13th green, was moved to its current position; the Fields green was moved, allowing the Tattie Pits tee to be set to influence drivers over second shots; and at the Cairngorms, Braid envisioned a two-tier green, set behind its then-location.

These holes are still in play to this day as laid out by Braid, under the watchful eye of The Mannie on nearby Ben Bhraggie.

The clubhouse, sited at various locations over the years, found its current home in 1967 where is continues to offer a warm 19th hole welcome to all those who venture out onto the course.

Golf at Golspie Today

Today, almost a century after Braid’s improvements were made, the layout of the course has changed very little – a testament to the strength of its design and popularity with golfers.

In December 2012, the nearby North Sea wrought its wrath on the course – flooding he lower areas of the course. But some gentle improvements, all the while maintaining the spirit of the course, saw it quickly returned to its full glory.

Most recently, the course was lengthened to 6021 yards with a par of 70, achieved by lengthening the Backies and Fields to par fives. Its historic composition is complemented by modern touches by the dedicated greenkeeping team, with the toughening of bunkers on many holes increasing the challenge of the course.

The Future of Golf

Golspie offers a unique proposition for golfers, blending a historic layout with a touch of modern gameplay.

For the golfers who travel from all around the world to play its mix of links and parkland, Golspie Golf Club has become a symbol of everything to look for in a golf club. And it is set to for many more years to come…

BECOME A MEMBER OF GOLSPIE GOLF CLUB

Golspie Golf Club welcomes applications for all grades of membership