Aulton Rd,
Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire AB42 0NN
Office
+44 (0)1779 812 285Pro shop
+44 (0)1779 812 414Fax
+44 (0)1779 812 945Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Neil Murray (PGA Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original layout by Old Tom Morris, with significant redevelopment in 1926 by Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler.
Above distances are for the championship course. Also at Cruden Bay is the 9-hole St Olaf course (par-32; 2,463 yds; SSS 32).
57.413391
-1.863706
22 miles NE of Aberdeen
From the bridge over the River Don in the north of Aberdeen, follow the A90 north for 8.4 miles, then turn R. onto the A975 direction Newburgh / Cruden Bay. After 12.3 miles, just on entering Cruden Bay, golf club is on your R.
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay Golf Club: There are few finer tracks of seaside links golf than those laid out before you at Cruden Bay. In bygone days, towering sand dunes piled-up behind Cruden Bay's beautiful sandy beach. These dunes now provide the wonderfully natural setting for this world-class links, and some of the finest coastal views you'll see from a Scottish golf course.
An array of challenging and often dramatic golf holes grace this renowned course on Aberdeenshire's North Sea coast. Each hole is an individual delight, assuming the weather is not too "raw" and your golf game is in reasonable fettle. A stiff North Sea wind and wayward hitting are not the ideal combination, but stunning scenery is ever-present, even if your A-game is not.
Among this sublime collection of golf holes, the testing par-3 4th (Port Erroll) clings to the side of the dunes while overlooking delightful Port Erroll harbour. Magnificent views and a significant drop-off await at the par-4 10th (Scaurs). The pencil-thin fairway of the par-4 15th (Whins) leads you to a wonderfully sunken green, while the blind doglegging (yes, doglegging!) par-3 15th (Blin' Dunt) also leaves an indelible impression.
On the cliffs to the north, stands the impressive ruin of Slain's Castle. It was here that Bram Stoker's infamous fictional character Count Dracula took form ... but better to sink your teeth into this stunning links layout. As the legendary Tom Watson said of Cruden Bay "it's a jewel, a true links, a true pleasure."
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Contact club for full details, discounts, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available if pre-booked. Golf carts cannot be used due to the terrain.
Excellent
It is claimed that golf was played in the village of Cruden Bay as early as 1791. The original course, on the present site, was commissioned by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR) following the expansion of the railways at the end of the 19th century. The course was designed by Old Tom Morris of St Andrews, and opened in 1899.
From the course the impressive ruins you'll see to the north are those of Slains Castle. It was here that author Bram Stoker first imagined his infamous fictional character, Count Dracula.
Scotland's 8th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Britain & Ireland's 21st best course (Golf World, 2025).
World's 56th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 30th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
Bridge St, Cruden Bay, By Peterhead AB42 0HD
+44 (0)1779 812 213
Visit websiteLocated in the centre of the coastal village of Cruden Bay and only 800m from the world renowned Cruden Bay Golf Course, the hotel offers an excellent base for golf, angling, riding, walking, shooting or visiting the spectacular beach, whisky and castle trails.
No
Cruden Bay; Newburgh-on-Ythan
Trump Aberdeen; Peterhead; Murcar; Royal Aberdeen.
Aulton Rd, Cruden Bay, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire AB42 0NN
+44 (0)1779 813 130
Visit websiteThe St Olaf Hotel stands on the edge of the world renowned Cruden Bay golf course, offering panoramic views of the historic Aberdeenshire coast line. St Olaf's offers excellent food and all 5 rooms have comfortable en suite accommodation.
Cruden Bay
Newburgh-on-Ythan
Trump Aberdeen; Peterhead; Murcar; Royal Aberdeen.
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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