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.
World: 63rd best course in the world (GOLF magazine, 2020/21).
GB&I: 24th best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2020/21).
Scotland: 8th best course in Scotland (Golf World, 2021).
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:
2021 Opens: whether by accident or design, four of the top five mens’ Open Championships played in the British Isles occupy consecutive weeks in July: the Irish Open (1-4), Scottish Open (8-11), The Open (15-18) and Wales Open (22-25). The recently relaunched English Open is scheduled for early-August.
Hoag Classic: Ernie Els defends his title in this prestigious PGA Tour Champions event, played since 1991 at the Newport Beach Country Club, CA (Mar 5-7).
Who's Who:
Brooks Koepka: won his second Phoenix Open title, with a chip-in eagle at TPC Scottsdale’s short par-4 17th included in his final round.
Annika Sörenstam: the legendary Swede makes a return to the LPGA Tour in the Gainbridge LPGA, to be played at Lake Nona, her home club (Feb 25-28).
New course opens for play at Barnbougle
Bill Coore designs 14-hole layout with “sporty” holes on dune ridge above Lost Farm.
New links course planned for Scottish Highlands. Landowner aims to appoint a ‘world-class architect’ to work on site next to Cromarty Firth.
New Faldo Design layout in Vietnam set for summer completion. Nine holes of the course at Thanh Lanh are routed across a the lake peninsula.
Dundonald Links Scotland: Construction work is in progress on new practice facilities and course changes at Dundonald Links in Irvine, Scotland, as part of a £25 million investment by new owners Darwin Escapes that also includes the construction of a new clubhouse with rooms, plus eighteen lodges. Read more ...
R&A submits planning application for new golf facility in Glasgow.
Look up the Top Golf Courses in Scotland.
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