Our Favourite Scottish 9-Hole Courses
Murrayshall Country Estate - Lynedoch Course
Golf in Scotland, the sport’s spiritual home, is renowned for its historic links courses, breathtaking landscapes, and variety of challenges for players. While many focus on the legendary 18-hole courses like Royal Troon or Carnoustie, there’s an underrated charm to the 9-hole courses scattered across the country. These courses often provide a more relaxed pace, but no less beauty or test of skill. Here’s a look at some of our favourite 9-hole courses in Scotland, all worth a visit for their character, scenic allure, and enjoyable play.
Comrie Golf Club (Perthshire)
Nestled in the village of Comrie, Perthshire, this 9-hole course is a gem for those who appreciate a traditional James Braid experience. Comrie Golf Club’s rolling hills and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside offer a tranquil and picturesque setting. The layout is deceivingly tricky, with well-placed bunkers and some tricky par 3s requiring accurate tee shots. A round here feels like a walk through nature. You’ll find mature birch, pine, and larch trees throughout the course, and there’s always the chance to spot red squirrels, woodpeckers, and roe deer, all adding to its unique charm
St Fillans Golf Club (Perthshire)
Located just a short drive from Comrie, St Fillans Golf Club is another Perthshire jewel. Nestled in the heart of the Trossachs, the course, which was designed by St. Andrews’ professional and Open Champion Willie Auchterlonie, is set within a valley that provides stunning views of the surrounding hills including The Birran. St Fillans is ideal for golfers who appreciate a peaceful round amidst nature, as the fairways are lined with trees, and a burn (small stream) that crosses the second hole adds to the challenge and beauty. Voted Scotland’s Best 9 Hole Course in 2019 and 2022.
St. Fillans Golf Club
Crieff Golf Club (Dornock Course) (Perthshire)
Crieff Golf Club’s Dornock Course offers a different flavour from its neighbouring courses in the region. It’s a compact yet challenging layout that includes five of Simpson and Braid’s original holes. Its narrow fairways and strategically placed hazards require precision and shot-making ability. Well placed mature trees add both aesthetic appeal and difficulty. With its peaceful environment and beautifully maintained greens, it’s easy to see why Dornock has become a favourite.
Murrayshall (Lynedoch Course) (Perthshire)
Not quite a 9-holer, but set in the Murrayshall Estate near Perth, the Lynedoch Course is an excellent 10-hole course that offers a true test of a golfer’s short game. While relatively short in length, the course is peppered with hazards, and the natural contours of the landscape require a thoughtful approach on every hole. The tree-lined fairways and well-kept greens ensure an enjoyable round, while the backdrop of rolling hills and the Perthshire countryside adds to the experience.
Blairgowrie Golf Club (Wee Course) (Perthshire)
The Blairgowrie Golf Club is renowned for its two championship courses, but its 9-hole Wee Course shouldn’t be overlooked. A delightful mix of parkland and woodland holes, it’s perfect for a quick yet challenging round. This course may be small, but it is perfectly formed, offering golfers the chance to test their skills on undulating greens and tight fairways. The peaceful surroundings of tall trees and well-manicured landscaping enhance the experience.
Blairgowrie Golf Club - Wee Course
Anstruther Golf Club (Fife)
Known for having the “hardest par-3 in Britain,” Anstruther Golf Club, located in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife, offers stunning coastal views and a variety of challenges. The 9-hole layout is compact but tricky, with its signature 5th hole, "Rockies," being infamous for the combination of narrow fairways, rocky outcrops, and swirling winds from the nearby North Sea. Anstruther delivers an authentic links experience in a beautiful seaside setting.
Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course (Fife)
Stepping onto Kingarrock is like stepping back in time. This unique 9-hole course in Fife offers a historic experience, allowing golfers to play with original hickory clubs, just as the game was played a century ago. Set in the stunning grounds of Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse, the course is a well-maintained parkland layout. Playing with hickory clubs adds a fascinating twist to the round, and the rolling greens and strategically placed bunkers provide a great test of skill.
Cruden Bay (St Olaf Course) (Aberdeenshire)
The Cruden Bay Golf Club is famous for its championship links course, but its 9-hole St Olaf course is a delightful gem. St Olaf offers a traditional links experience, with undulating fairways, tricky pot bunkers, and coastal winds providing a stern test. Set against the backdrop of the North Sea, this course is perfect for those who want to enjoy a shorter round without missing out on the spectacular coastal scenery that Cruden Bay is known for.
Cruden Bay
Covesea Links (Moray)
Perched on the coast of Moray, Covesea Links is a compact and charming course that hugs the shoreline, offering a quintessential seaside golfing experience. With views of the Moray Firth and the iconic Covesea Lighthouse, the course offers both scenic beauty and golfing challenges, particularly when the wind picks up. The natural terrain of sandy dunes and grassy mounds provides a true links experience, making Covesea Links a hidden gem for golf enthusiasts.
Isle of Skye Golf Club (Highlands)
The Isle of Skye Golf Club is one of the most scenic 9-hole courses in Scotland. Located in Sconser, the course offers stunning views of the Cuillin Mountains and the surrounding coastline. The layout is relatively simple, but the wind and natural features of the landscape add a degree of difficulty that makes the course a joy to play. The raw beauty of the Isle of Skye enhances the golfing experience, and the course is a perfect complement to the island’s natural splendour.
Isle of Skye Golf Club
Traigh Golf Club (Highlands)
Set in one of the most beautiful locations in the Highlands, Traigh Golf Club is a spectacular 9-hole course that overlooks the Sound of Sleat. The layout is a mix of traditional links and rugged Highland terrain, with sandy dunes, rolling fairways, and stunning views of the Hebridean islands. Traigh is a course for those who love nature and don’t mind a challenge, as the natural contours of the land make for some unpredictable bounces and tricky lies.
Carrbridge Golf Club (Highlands)
Carrbridge Golf Club, located in the Cairngorms National Park, is a beautiful and well-maintained 9-hole course that offers a true Highland golfing experience. The course is short but technical, with tight fairways and small, tricky greens. The surrounding forest and mountainous backdrop make for a stunning setting, and the layout is enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. Carrbridge is perfect for those looking for a relaxed round in a breathtaking environment.
Abernethy Golf Club (Highlands)
Another gem in the Highlands, Abernethy Golf Club is a traditional 9-hole course located near the village of Nethy Bridge. The course offers a mix of parkland and heathland holes, with the surrounding forests and distant mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Abernethy is known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming members, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful round in the Highlands.
Abernethy Golf Club
Durness Golf Club (Highlands)
Durness Golf Club, located in the far northwest of Scotland, is as remote as it is beautiful. The 9-hole course offers some of the most dramatic coastal views in the country, with the final hole featuring a tee shot over a cliff to a green surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and the challenging layout make Durness a must-visit for adventurous golfers.
Musselburgh Links (East Lothian)
Musselburgh Links is the oldest continuously played golf course in the world, with a history dating back to 1672. The 9-hole course offers a chance to walk in the footsteps of golfing legends while playing a round on a traditional links layout. The flat fairways and small greens provide a challenge, and the course’s historic significance adds to the experience.
Gifford Golf Club (East Lothian)
Gifford Golf Club, located on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Gifford near Haddington. It’s a charming 9-hole parkland course with lovely views of the Lammermuir Hills and the beautiful East Lothian countryside. The course is short but challenging, with tight fairways and well-protected greens. The peaceful setting and friendly atmosphere make Gifford a popular destination for golfers of all abilities.
Carradale Golf Club (Argyll)
Carradale Golf Club, located on the Kintyre Peninsula, is a stunning 9-hole course with views over the Isle of Arran. The course is a mix of links and parkland, with undulating fairways and tricky greens. The coastal setting and natural beauty make Carradale an absolute gem for those seeking a unique golfing experience in Argyll.
Carradale Golf Club
These courses, spread across Scotland, offer a diverse range of golfing experiences. From historic links layouts to scenic parkland courses, these 9-hole gems are perfect for golfers looking to experience Scotland’s golfing heritage on a smaller scale. Whether you're seeking a challenge or simply want to enjoy a round in stunning surroundings, these courses provide an excellent taste of Scotland's golfing diversity.