Portlethen opened in 1990 and was designed by Donald Steel. The course is a good example of a parkland layout with many excellent natural features. The par five 485-yard fourth hole is a hole that requires caution, instead of valour.

Here, you face the decision whether to lay up short of the burn or attempt the carry to set up a birdie chance. The 15th is undoubtedly the signature hole of the course.

The tee shot has to be placed accurately to cope with the right-to-left dogleg and then the approach shot, from a downhill lie, has to carry the Findhorn burn that protects the green.