Cruden Bay Golf Club… For many it is a transcendent, almost magical, place to play the game. There simply never has been – nor will there ever be – anything else like it. But what is it about this little course north of Aberdeen that makes it a must-play on so many Scotland golf trips?
Any attempt to put the essence of Cruden Bay Golf Club into words is sure to come up short, yet we offer up a small sample of the sights and sounds that shouldn’t be missed along the way.
3rd Hole
One of The Major’s Fab Fours on Three, the 3rd at Cruden Bay is everything a great short par-4 should be. It’s blind off the tee, with a small wooden post that marks the pin position providing the only guide for what’s found ahead. The hole is reachable with favorable wind, but fail to execute and a bogey or worse will find your card with ease. On a course filled with numerous spectacular views, cresting the peak of the fairway to look down on the green, the town of Port Erroll, and the ruins of Slains Castle is as thrilling and memorable as they come.
4th Hole
The 4th hole at Cruden Bay Golf Club is one of the best par-3s in Scotland. The hole plays nearly 200-yards, uphill, and often into the wind. Nothing less than one of your best swings of the day will find the putting surface. The daunting task is partially offset by the picturesque harbor and village of Port Erroll along the left-side of the hole.
9th Hole
Speaking of Cruden Bay’s spectacular views, the 9th tee serves up the finest of them all. The 9th in its present form is still a brand new hole, having been redesigned by the club in 2015. As part of the work, the tee was moved closer to the sea making the views of Slains Castle and the coast all the more dramatic. More importantly, it took a rather ordinary hole and replaced it with a far superior one.
The Castle
The aforementioned Slains Castle is believed to have been the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. The ruins loom over Cruden Bay from a distance, and stand in the backdrop of most obligatory group photos from the 9th tee. From afar they are an inspiring sight. Up close, some may find them a little bleak. But the clifftop setting along the North Sea looking back toward the links makes the visit entirely worthwhile.
14th Hole
Like the 3rd hole, the only indication from the tee of what this par-4 holds is found on the little wooden post marking the pin position. The approach here is completely blind, however that is unlikely to be what’s remembered most about this hole. That distinction is sure to go to the bathtub green… As unique of a putting surface as you’ll ever find, and one that is quintessential Cruden Bay.
15th Hole
In yet another “Only at Cruden Bay” moment, the 15th has a feature that you wouldn’t typically expect on a par-3… A dogleg. The hole is completely blind off the tee and wraps around a towering dune. Take plenty of club and don’t forget to ring the bell…
Pro Tip from The Major: Throughout your round at Cruden Bay, pay special attention to the pin position when on the tee. It’s valuable information when navigating the blind shots around Cruden Bay.
The Good Life
This corner of Scotland offers plenty of the Good Life after your round at Cruden Bay.
You’ll find it at places like The Meldrum House… A 13th century baronial mansion turned country hotel. In addition to its rich history and exquisite accommodations, The Meldrum House is also home to one of the best 19th holes in Scotland: the aptly named Cave Bar. All of which combines to make The Meldrum House an excellent home base during a golf trip to Scotland and the Aberdeen area.
For more insight on planning your Scottish golf tour, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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