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.
9-hole par-32 St Olaf Course (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." [To tour the Cruden Bay course click on the video below].
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Credit cards accepted. [Last updated: 2019].
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.
2019 Golf World rating: 24th best course in Britain & Ireland; 10th best in Scotland.
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.
Tournaments:
PGA Championship: the first men’s major of the year will be contested at TPC Harding Park, without spectators being present (Aug 6-9).
European Senior (Staysure) Tour: the Europe-based over-50s tour for men has taken the reluctant step of cancelling the entire 2020 season, based on the additional coronavirus risk associated with the age demographic of the players.
Who's Who:
Miguel Ángel Jiménez: recorded his 707th European Tour start at the English Open in July, surpassing Sam Torrance’s record for the most appearances on the Tour.
Brooks Koepka: the former world No.1 defends his title at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind in Memphis (July 30-Aug 2).
Traigh Golf Course (pronounced "try", and meaning "beach" in Gaelic): You'll find this nine-hole seaside gem on the scenic coast road (as opposed to the more inland and quicker A830) between Arisaig and Morar. Although not on the well-beaten path of Scotland's "trophy" courses, if you are passing through this area, it's a must play.
Read More...
Cullen Links Golf Club: "immensely scenic", "quirky as golf can get", "short!", "hugely enjoyable" ... Cullen Links attracts as wide a variety of comments as it lays down golfing challenges. Shoehorned into this 4,600 yard treasure trove are ten par-3s, seven par-4s and a good-length par-5. Here you'll find all the seaside scenery a golfer could ask for, and a lot more besides. Read More...
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