Dalfaber Village,
Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1PN
Office
+44 (0)1479 815 100Pro shop
+44 (0)1479 811 725Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David MacMullen (Director of Golf).The Course:
18 holes. Heathland course. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb (and two longish tee-to-green walks).
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Dave Thomas
57.200828
-3.810299
30 miles SE of Inverness
From the North (Inverness): leave the A9 Perth - Inverness road at the B9152 (Aviemore) exit. After 300 yds turn right direction Aviemore. After 1 mile, just as you enter Aviemore, turn left into Dalfaber Drive. After o.5 miles turn right into Golf Club.
From the South (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth): leave the A9 at the B970 (Aviemore) exit. Follow the road through Aviemore. Just as you are leaving Aviemore turn right into Dalfaber Drive, direction Spey Valley GC. After o.5 miles turn right into Golf Club.
Spey Valley
Spey Valley Golf Course at Macdonald Aviemore Resort: Rare indeed for a golf course designer to be presented with such a pristine area of unspoilt natural beauty. Realising his good fortune, Dave Thomas set about designing Spey Valley with great enthusiasm and much respect for the natural environment. From a blank canvas he produced an outstanding golf course, which attractively complements the breathtaking Scottish Highland scenery.
The par-4 1st and 18th holes are not the most impressive in the layout, but these "bookends" get you to and from some glorious golf holes. At times tight and tree-lined (unmercifully so at the long par-4 12th), and at other times more forgiving and open in character, few courses can boast as much heather as you'll find here. The free-flowing and trout-filled River Spey flows alongside the early holes, before you turn into the wild splendour of open moorland and Caledonian pine forests.
The layout's copious bunkering is gently rounded, reflecting the smooth lines of the Grampian mountains that encircle the course. The greens, usually large and undulating, also seem to take their cue from the continually rolling terrain. There's only one significant water hazard to worry about, which comes dangerously into play alongside the par-4 15th and the exquisite long par-3 16th.
Spey Valley offers a great golfing opportunity from which to appreciate the glorious Scottish Highlands, with its mountains, moorland and rivers all playing their part. If you are able to catch this course on a sunny summer's day when the heather is in full bloom, then a very special Highland treat awaits.
Stay&Play at Spey Valley: luxury onsite accommodation available at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort; see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts (buggies) available for hire. Caddies available if requested in advance.
Good
Spey Valley is just outside the Scottish Highland resort of Aviemore, one of Scotland's most popular outdoor activity centres. The area is a magnet for walkers, climbers, skiers, anglers, kayakers, bird-watchers and nature lovers. With Boat of Garten and Kingussie golf clubs also close-by, the number of visiting golfers also looks set to rise, especially with Spey Valley now established alongside the existing brace of Highland courses.
Scotland's 58th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 195th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1PN
+44 (0)1479 815 100
Visit websiteMacdonald Aviemore Resort comprises a selection of self-catering accommodation, and four 4-star hotels in the centre of Aviemore itself: Highlands Hotel, Morlich Hotel, Aviemore Hotel and the Woodland Lodges. These offer a range of accommodation types, with the Woodland Lodges set amidst an ancient Caledonian pine forest, providing a real home from home experience.
No
Spey Valley; Boat of Garten.
Kingussie
Scotsburn Road, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PR
+44 (0)1862 892 051
Visit websiteMansfield Castle is an imposing Victorian building set in 3.5 acres of picturesque countryside, with award winning cuisine and magnificent oak panelling throughout.
No
Tain
Royal Dornoch; Brora (22 miles).
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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