134 - Cruden Bay

Rating: 8.8

Honestly I don’t think I have enjoyed a round of golf more than I did here at Cruden Bay. The design is just the coolest and one of the most funnest (pretty sure that’s not a word). Even if you’re having a bad day I do not think you’re going to have a miserable time around here.

Cruden Bay has the prestige and quality of fairways & greens that you’d expect of a top 100 course but the layout is such that it isn’t like Royal Aberdeen or Trump where you have to be so so accurate to play well. Some of the fairways are generous in width, the greens were all relatively flat and it is not disgustingly long in length.

There are such drastic changes in heights though that you do have to think about your shots. The second hole for example is a shortish par 4 but has a very high raised green that requires a very accurate wedge shot. The third again is a short par 4 and for those that have played there before might be able to drive the green with some local knowledge but it goes up and over a ridge, dog legging slightly to the right. The seventh has a wonderful approach to another raised green through a very narrow neck of two high dunes protecting the green from errand shots. Eight is another short par 4 where most people should be getting close if not driving the green but I think it is once you reach the 9th hole you truly start to get mesmerized by the course. It’s a steep climb to the tee boxes but once you’re up there the views are remarkable, you’ll probably need a minute or two to catch your breath anyway but it’s a moment to stop and really appreciate the beauty that is Cruden Bay. The 14th is another notable hole with a coffin type green that sinks into the dunes.

I could go on but Cruden Bay is probably one of the only courses I’ve played once that I could genuinely real off all 18 holes on the course, they’re all unique and super fun to play.

Aside from the course the driving range has unlimited balls and there’s a huge green where you can putt and chip.

It’s a bucket list course that I’ll definitely be planning to return to one day!