Cruden Bay (Championship) - North East Scotland - Scotland

The most interesting feature of the championship links at Cruden Bay is the routing, originally laid out by Old Tom Morris. The journey of the golfer through the links is a memorable one that weaves in and out of the natural links landscape, through the magnificent dunes and along the sea. The view on the 10th tee is especially great of holes 10-14 and of the sea (Bay of Cruden). The quirkiness and blind shots of some of the holes is expressive of the true nature of classic links courses and found in a profound manner here at Cruden Bay.

It is easy to imagine how the landscape would have looked when Old Tom Morris walked the site and put stakes in the ground to indicate tee and green sites. The site feels very natural and like the topography wasn’t touched in order for golf to be played on it today. I think the excellent landscape integration of the course is a very unique feature of the course and sets it apart from many links courses. The routing of the 15th hole is especially special being a long blind par 3. Not only is the hole blind but it is right along the coast and the wind has a major effect on the ball as it enters through the tall dunes as it nears the green. While it is rare to aim for a stake and not the green on a par 3, this is just another unique quality of Cruden Bay. It is interesting to hit your shot and speculate its fate, and as golfers approach the green the result of their shot is revealed to them. This surprise can be a good one or frustrating for those who thought they hit a great shot right over the aiming stake and cannot find their ball amongst the dunes and long native grass.

Another surprise that golfers face is on the 6th hole, where a blind burn winds around the front of the green. First time golfers at Cruden Bay don’t realize the hazard comes very much into play on the 525 yard par 5. The burn and the green are both blind from the left side of the fairway which makes the hole play very difficult, especially for first timers. But, for those who have played the hole often the burn is at a good distance that forces longer hitters to consider laying up or trying to hit their second shots over the burn and toward the green. The features of the golf hole may frustrate golfers the first time they play it but keeps them coming back to challenge Bluidy Burn, which is a characteristic all architects strive for when designing golf holes.

I think it is interesting that the climax of the golf journey at Cruden Bay is actually from holes 10-15, which start with an excellent driving hole on the tenth tee and finish with an interesting 200 yard par 3, and plays along the sea in between. The winding burn feature in the 13th fairway is also a very interesting natural feature on the course that both forces golfers to make a decision as well as being very aesthetically pleasing. But after playing these 6 holes the last 3 holes definitely do not live up to the quality of the previous 6.

The 17th and 18th holes are pretty average par 4’s in comparison to many of the outstanding golf holes on the course that wind between the dunes and offer great views to the sea and have quirky features that make them interesting, while the last two holes don’t offer any of these features. The elevated 17th tee does offer decent views to most of the first 7 holes and features a large dune in the middle of the fairway but still feels like a left over hole that is there just to get golfers back to the clubhouse. The last hole lacks any real features to make it an exciting finishing hole besides the clubhouse towering above the right side that offers great views for those watching golfers come up the final hole.

A round here is unforgetable. Simply a delight. Links golf at its very best with some superb holes. The only ho;e that is ordinary is the 9th. but a necessary link. The setting is beautiful. Having played all the great links courses in Scotland and some in England and Ireland I rate this as one of the best.

One of the most idyllic days of golf I can remember. Two wonderful rounds, with a pause at lunch for great haddock and chips and guinness. The course is well-enough described in the reviews below. All I'd add is that the 4th and 5th immediately became two of my favourite holes of golf (if the walk from the 4th tee to green doesn't make you glad to be alive you're in trouble), the 13th is a great par 5 and, even though I'm no great lover of blind shots, the sunken green on the 14th makes that hole something special. The only hole I thought a little weak was the 9th - relatively featureless because of its height above sea-level - but even that rewards you with a beautiful view of the bay as you reach the crest of the hill. It's a stunningly-beautiful, testing, thought-provoking course: sure, not every hole is brutally-tough, but with everything else going for it it doesn't need to be. I agree with others below that Royal Aberdeen is a truly great course, not always getting the regard it deserves, but it seems a shame to knock Cruden Bay for others' neglect. RA, Cruden Bay and Murcar are all within a 25 mile stretch of coast (and there's even a bus from Aberdeen central station that drops you/picks you up from virtually outside the clubhouse). I can't think of a better way to spend a few days than playing all three.

This is my favourite course in the world. There are no two holes which look or play the same way. Blind shots, elevated tees, small greens, humps in the middle of a faairway, beach in play and gorse everywhere make for a fascinating game. I love the quirkiness and breathtaking beauty of the place. Golf as it was meant to be played.

I first played Cruden in 1999. I have since returned 8 times, and the love affair will last forever.... the most fun I've ever had playing golf. I have played all of the Open courses except Royal Troon, but Cruden and The Old Course stand at the top. Tip; google "The Battle of Cruden Bay", and read the facinating history of this ground that took place in 1012. This is one of the few courses that I would fly over from Canada to play, and you will have wonderful memories our your time on this wonderful golf links.

I just don’t get it. I played this course and also an additional 17 on my recent trip to Scotland and I would put Cruden Bay in my top five. I played every course in Scotland ranked 40th or better in this publication and the only courses I thought were more fun or interesting than Cruden Bay were maybe Turnberry, North Berrick West, Royal Dornoch and Royal Aberdeen. I think the raking of Cruden Bay is truly justified and I do not understand how one could feel this course does not deserve its ranking. If you like elevation change, beautiful views and truly unique golf holes that you will see no where else in the world, this is the place to play. I thought the back-9 holes along the beach, especially #14, #15 & #16 were some of the most interesting and unique holes of golf I have ever played. I will never forget them.

Fantastic golf course. Visually stunning and very difficult rough. Make the effort to come here, you will not be disappointed.

As hilly a course as I have ever played. I enjoyed the variety of holes and generally enjoyed the course. I really cannot see it as one of the best in the world. The view from the 10th Tee was terrific, but the holes on the back nine did not make me want to come back for more. I had fun, but playing Cruden Bay once is probably enough for me. Give me Royal Dornoch, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns again. Mardo.

Sublime links golf ! Wanted to go out again straight after the best ever fish and chips in the clubhouse.Will be back ,miss it like an old friend.

Here is my advice for Cruden Bay... Go into the lovely club house, enjoy a wee beer and a good lunch, enjoy the fantastic views but surely don't play the course!!! What a disappointment... If that course was rated as a gem, then my opinion would probably be different... But that high?? You must be kidding!! Higher than Royal Aberdeen, you must be kiddidng again!! F air enough, the course was in good condition (apart from a winter green and a winter tee on the back nine). Greens were pretty slow, especially on the back nine... The view from the first tee as mentionned above is as fantastic as it gets but I am afraid that's about it... First 3 holes are uninteresting. 4th and 5th are ok...9th stroke index one is really poor and starts your official entry to farmer's field land, no links land over there!! One thing I don't understand is why they don't use the middle gorse area for the main course and develop a few holes into the gigantic and beautiful dunes in the back... Quirky is the word that comes over and over again about Cruden Bay and I like quirky; I loved Old Prestwick!!! No Cruden Bay is definitely my biggest disappointment ever in golf... No Championship Links golf to be played there...Cédric