A Journey Through Portlethen: The Rising Star of Scottish Golf
When it comes to Scottish golf, Portlethen Golf Club is quickly making its mark as a premier location. Located on Badentoy Road in Portlethen, Aberdeen, this members-only club has escalated its profile remarkably over the years. Notably, the club co-hosted the 2021 Scottish Amateur Mens Championship and was the venue for the Scottish PGA Northern Open. The golfing community has come to recognize it as one of the North East of Scotland's finest parkland courses, thanks to its robust natural features and challenging design.
A round at Portlethen is anything but dull. The 18-hole, par-72 course, stretching over 6663 yards, offers a blend of strategy, beauty, and natural hazards. The Findon burn is a key feature, cutting across five holes on the front nine and adding an element of complexity to both tee and approach shots. Take the 460-yard par-5 fourth hole, for example; the burn crosses 90 yards short of the green, leaving golfers with a difficult choice for their second shots. Veer off-course, and you'll find yourself dealing with water or trees - there's little margin for error.
The inward nine may present fewer hazards, but don't be fooled. The Findon burn continues to make appearances, most notably at the fifteenth and eighteenth holes. The fifteenth hole, often considered the course's "signature hole," demands precision from start to finish. It features a right-to-left dogleg and requires a deft approach shot to clear the Findon burn that guards the green's entrance. The finishing eighteenth hole offers a last bout of drama. A perilous 502-yard par 5, it sports a drystone dyke running down the left, menacing golfers with the threat of going out of bounds on every swing. To add another layer of difficulty, the Findon burn lies 100 yards before the green, making the choice of a second shot a real quandary.
Off the course, Portlethen doesn't disappoint either. A welcoming clubhouse serves as a sanctuary for post-round reflection or celebration, complete with a bar, restaurant, and rooms for hire. The club also offers an array of amenities, from a pro shop helmed by Professional David Pocock to a four-bay driving range, putting green, and chipping facilities for those looking to perfect their game.
With its intriguing blend of natural obstacles and man-made challenges, Portlethen Golf Club is capturing the attention of golf enthusiasts across Scotland and beyond. Established in 1981, the club may not have centuries of history behind it like some other Scottish courses, but what it lacks in age, it more than makes up for in ambition and quality. It's no wonder that Portlethen has been chosen as the venue for prestigious events; it is a course that demands your best, while inviting you back time and again to conquer its unique challenges.
