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Home Scottish Links Golf a different game The Basics Detailed information AFSD - how to determine the real length of a golf course Helpful Websites Platinum Page Upscale places, products & services Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands Cruden Bay Murcar Royal Aberdeen Stonehaven Ayrshire Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick... Just east of Edinburgh Scotland's Golf Coast North Berwick, Muirfield, Gullane... Northern Highlands Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn... St. Andrews area Other golf courses Machrihanish, Pitlochry... Links Lite Great links golf for the not-so-great golfer Donate What others say |
Cruden Bay Golf Club©
Never have I seen a links golf course or
any golf course for that matter so intimidating
on first viewing. A first look at Western Gailes will raise your pulse a few notches, but
Cruden Bay is downright scary! Maybe it's the way you
approach it from high above looking down
at the layout. Maybe it's Cruden Bay's reputation--rated No. 52 in Golf Magazine's World's Top 100. Maybe it's the Bay of Cruden, that crescent of water bordering the golf course.
Maybe it's the dramatic marram-crested sand
dunes and deep valleys. Whatever it is, Cruden Bay is the fiercest-looking golf course in Scotland
and certainly one of the finest. Cruden Bay is a golf course Nature built, the architect
just decided where to place the holes.
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| Hard holes, easy holes and fun holes It's been said that a good golf course should have six hard holes, six easy holes and six holes for fun. I'm not sure there are any "easy" ones on this golf course but there are a few legitimate chances for birdies. Take them, because there are just as many chances for bogies and doubles. And there are more than 6 fun holes. I shot a poor round when I played--couldn't get off the tee and couldn't sink a putt--but I still had a fantastic time.
The view from the first tee should give you a hint of what's in store. Off in the distance is the lovely Port Erroll village but also visible are the ruins of Slains Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's DRACULA. Hmmmm...is there a monster lurking here? You'll keep these ruins in view until you finish the third hole. Then you turn toward the sea and the village of Port Erroll. That's when you encounter as fine a par 3 as you'll see in Scotland--and one of the most beautiful. Teeing off directly toward the sea, you may need to take out your driver to reach this elevated green 183 yards away if the wind is blowing at you. If it's behind you, an eight or nine iron may be your choice-- who knows? But choose well because short will leave you with a devilish second shot. From the sixth hole on, you will be on a roller-coaster of hills and valleys and burns (creeks). The sixth, like the 13th, is a par 5 that is almost impossible to get on in two. Both are great holes.
So integrated into the environment is this golf course that you'll feel as much a part of nature as if you were out for a hike. Although not a short course (AFSD is 188 yards from the medal tees and 177 yards from the Gents' tees), length is not stressed at Cruden Bay. Accuracy is paramount. Typical of all Scottish links golf courses, if you do not approach the green at the optimum angle, you will have a much more difficult shot.
There are quite a few blind shots on this
golf course and I'm a bit conflicted about
what I think of them. I don't at all mind
a blind tee shot if you are given something
to aim at. Some of the greatest golf holes
in the world have blind tee shots, including
the fabulous #8 at Pebble Beach and # 17
(the Road Hole) at The Old Course at St.
Andrews. But blind shots to the green? I
don't think so! And there are two in a row
on Cruden Bay. The 14th is a double whammy with a blind
tee shot toward an aiming box on the fairway,
followed by a completely blind shot to the
green. This is followed by a blind par 3
at the 15th. But that's my only complaint
about this layout and, really, it's not that
big a deal since, while these holes may not
necessarily be fair, they are great fun.
In fact, Rosemary Pittendrigh, the Managing Secretary,
tells me that "...these holes are enjoyed greatly by visitors,
not so by members." She also said that most visitors would like
to play the course again immediately but,
too often, their itinerary does not allow.
(This is a perfect example of why we always
advise leaving an entire day for a round
of golf and not scheduling two separate golf
courses in one day. The second round at the
same course allows you to take advantage
of the knowledge you just acquired.)
As with most Scottish links layouts, wind is hugely influential in club selection. Whether in your face or at your back, you'll be compensating for it all day. Don't let it play with your mind, though. Consider it a challenge not a liability, and you'll be just fine.
Cruden Bay is a great example of a golf course that the independent golf traveler will play and the player on a structured tour will seldom see. And friend, Cruden Bay is a must play. From the time you look down on the golf course from above it until the time you knock in your final putt on the 18th, you will know you've played one of the truly great golf courses in the world. There are excellent insights into playing the golf course by the Club Professional, Robbie Stewart. You can find them at http://www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk/robbie.htm Golf Nook Scotland rating = a solid EAGLE. www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk For What To Do All Day please see Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands |
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