Ballater Golf Club

Ballater Golf Club was originally conceived as a nine-hole course, built in 1892 on land owned by the laird of Invercauld. The course was expanded to 18 holes when adjacent farmland became available in 1905. The extension of the course and the construction of a new pavilion was marked by a celebratory match between two leading golfers of the era, James Braid and Harry Vardon.

A mildly undulating, medium-length golf course, Ballater runs along the picturesque River Dee, a particularly beautiful stretch of Upper Deeside. Around 40 miles west of Aberdeen, the surrounding hills hint at the stunning scenery of the Cairngorms beyond.

When at the river’s edge, Ballater is a classic heathland, though further from the water the layout is more akin to a parkland course. Built on an area that was once an ancient flood plain, river terraces undulate throughout the course and in many cases naturally dictate the shape of the holes.

A challenging opening six holes, including two difficult par-3s, are to be navigated carefully to set the foundation for the rest of the round. However, with the beautiful scenery, dominated by Lochnagar to the west, and the fresh Highland air, it is a welcoming challenge.