Where Castle Stuart plays with drama and coastal theatre, Old Petty offers something altogether different — and equally compelling. Designed by Tom Doak and his lead associate Clyde Johnson, and officially opened in May 2026, this walking-only course threads across gently rolling farmland and tidal estuary terrain that feels as if it has been waiting centuries for golf to arrive.

The routing is intimate and historically rooted — the course plays alongside the Old Petty Church, built in 1839, and from 13 of its 18 holes you can see the 400-year-old Castle Stuart across the Moray Firth, the landscape connecting past and present in a way that feels genuinely moving. Doak's design favours natural contours over manufactured drama, with mostly created features that blend seamlessly into the Highlands setting. Standout moments include sweeping coastal views from the 10th, a dramatic short par-3 at the 17th, and a memorable return to the Firth on the 14th.

The opening and closing holes criss-cross near the clubhouse, adding a sense of occasion that bookends the round beautifully. A course that rewards patience, observation and shot-making — and one we expect will earn global recognition very quickly.