Cruden Bay Golf Club: Championship Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Cruden Bay Golf Club Key Information

Cruden Bay Golf Club is very much a one-off, and while not everyone is a fan of everything about the design here, one thing on which almost everyone seems to agree is that it’s a course packed with fun and is more than worth of its spot in the Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland.

It has all that is great and challenging about an old-fashioned links combined with a great deal of variety including plateau greens, undulating fairways, blind shots, streams and gorse. I am convinced that as far as golfing escapism goes, this is one of the very best

As well being a traditional links with a strong heritage, the real joy of the Championship Course at Cruden Bay is that it is something way more as well. Due to its undulations and elevated dunes, it serves up the most wonderful, panoramic views and is one of the best golf courses in Scotland.

Back in 1894, the Great North of Scotland Railway Company decided that a golf course here would be just the thing to accompany thet hotel it was constructing at the same time. Both the hotel and the course, designed by the godfather of course architecture Old Tom Morris along with Archie Simpson, were opened in 1899.

The following year, the golf club was formed, and a quarter of a century later the course was upgraded by Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler who in the main kept the original greens and routing. In more recent times there have been a few other changes, particularly at the ninth and sixteenth, which have continued to improve a really interesting course that was already hugely enjoyable. I really do believe it is one of the most fun courses in the rankings.

The opening holes head eastwards over the most inland part of the course towards the river. This, in turn, borders the very pretty par-3 fourth, before the course then accelerates its way southwards with a series of interesting and very entertaining holes.

There are three potentially driveable par 4s - at least from the forward tees, though perhaps not for me! - at the third, eighth and twelfth - and four quite varied and very attractive short holes, two of which come back-to-back at fifteen and sixteen. Water will have a say in your strategy on the two par 5s, but unless you are playing off the very back tees, length is not the issue here. It is more a question of negotiating the burns, bunkers and humps and bumps.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...

Andrew Oliver

A fantastic piece of land used to the fullest effect with some of the most original links holes in the country. I didn’t find it in sublime condition and have rated as such, but it was still every bit a memorable occasion with several wow moments which made me stop walking and just look around in awe at the surroundings and good fortune I had to be here. A truly special golfing experience.

Cathal Devlin

It is so uniquely itself which is probably one of the reasons why it’s so good. There’s nothing really like it that I’ve seen before. Just an absolute thrill ride from start to finish.

Cruden Bay Golf Club Location

Cruden Bay Golf Club Championship Course scorecard

Best Golf Courses Near Cruden Bay

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL LINKS, SCOTLAND

One of the finest and indeed toughest new designs, this spectacular and no-holds-barred links is a remarkable achievement with Martin Hawtree belying the adage that you cannot create an instant classic. His rollercoaster ride through the towering dunes is enormous fun, and unusually for such a course, every hole is distinct and memorable.

MURCAR LINKS

Close enough to Royal Aberdeen to shake hands, Murcar Links is a fabulous and traditional links with elevated tees, gorse and wide views out to sea. Perhaps a shade more forgiving than its neighbour, scoring is dependent upon how well you manage the tough par 4s.

Places To Stay Near To Cruden Bay

St. Olaf Hotel - Book now via Booking.com

St. Olaf Hotel is right by the golf club and has a garden, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. Some rooms have a sea view. The restaurant and lounge bar are popular with locals, with much of the food sourced locally including fish from Peterhead, and meat from Ellon and Aberdeen.

Seaview Hotel, Peterhead - Book now via Booking.com

This hotel has a restaurant and bar, and the rooms are fitted with a coffee machine and an iPod docking station. The kitchen serves a large varied menu, comprising of dishes made with fresh local fish, beef, chicken and seasonal vegetables, from local suppliers.

Cruden Bay Gallery

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Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

• 2025/26 - 58
• 2023/24 - 66
• 2021/22 - 69
• 2019/20 - 71
• 2017/18 - 76
• 2015/16 - 89
• 2013/14 - 89
• 2011/12 - 89
• 2009/10 - 88

Frequently Asked Questions