Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay | NCG Top 100s : GB & Ireland Golf Courses
Rankings
5.0
1st
8th
18th
21st
Strap yourselves in. Whether you find it unforgettable, or a complete mystery, a round at Cruden Bay is never boring.
Take a peek from a drone shot and you might wonder what the fuss is all about - these links, found on the rugged coastline of North East Scotland, look almost benevolent.
But what you see when your club is approaching the top of its backswing, is something completely different. This is a course that can't be judged through the prism of media, it needs to be experienced to be understood.
And there is plenty to grab you. Whatever people might say about Cruden Bay, awe-inspiring is going to be one of the adjective. As looks go, this is stunning, and it is well worth the trip past Aberdeen.
But what you see when your club is approaching the top of its backswing, is something completely different. This is a course that can't be judged through the prism of media, it needs to be experienced to be understood.
And there is plenty to grab you. Whatever people might say about Cruden Bay, awe-inspiring is going to be one of the adjective. As looks go, this is stunning, and it is well worth the trip past Aberdeen.
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A Brief History of Cruden Bay Golf Club
The links at Cruden Bay was commissioned by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company in 1894.
Designed by Old Tom Morris and Archie Simpson, it opened as one of the leisure activities of Cruden Bay Hotel in 1899 with the 'Ladies Course' of 9-holes opening on the inner of the main course at the same time.
The Cruden Bay Golf Club officially formed in around 1900. In 1926, Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler redesigned the course as well as the St Olaf Course, which opened at the same time, leaving many of Tom Morris' original elements.
More recently, the duo of Mackenzie and Ebert were brought in to modernise the course, working mainly on the 9th, 10th and 16th holes.
Designed by Old Tom Morris and Archie Simpson, it opened as one of the leisure activities of Cruden Bay Hotel in 1899 with the 'Ladies Course' of 9-holes opening on the inner of the main course at the same time.
The Cruden Bay Golf Club officially formed in around 1900. In 1926, Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler redesigned the course as well as the St Olaf Course, which opened at the same time, leaving many of Tom Morris' original elements.
More recently, the duo of Mackenzie and Ebert were brought in to modernise the course, working mainly on the 9th, 10th and 16th holes.
Cruden Bay Golf Club Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses
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Deemed quirky by some, a classic by others, Cruden Bay is a paradox - feted and under-rated at the same time. Golf has been played on the land since the late 18th century, but it was Old Tom Morris, in 1899, who formalised the original layout before, in 1926, Tom Simpson and Hebert Fowler produced the magnificent sand hill paradise we play today. If your passion is for links golf, you surely can’t fail to be inspired. Huge dunescapes, tees from which you can see the whole vista of the bay, rolls and ridges for fairways which conjure and conspire to send your ball in all kinds of different directions, it is nothing if not sensational on the eye.
The course begins with three par 4s that sit inland to get you down to the North Sea coastline. The opener is pretty straightforward, providing you avoid the pot bunker on the left side of the fairway. 2 and 3 are both slight dog-legs, the 2nd to the left and the 3rd to the right, but both are less than 375 yards, and offer up good scoring chances if you can find the fairway off the tee.
The par 3 4th is named 'Port Erroll' after the village found near to the course. Looking out towards the sea, and the prevailing wind, it kicks off a short run of holes around the coast. The green is elevated, looking like it was always part of the Aberdeenshire shore, while just one formidable pot bunker protects those looking for a safer line. Too far left is gone, too short and balls will come to grief in the depression that stretches from the tee to the green.
You then comes to one of the longest stretches on the course to take you to the turn. However, with a trio of par 5s, you might make some birdies... Those come at 5, 6 and 9, with the first two both being more than 500 yards. The 6th green sits way off to the left from the fairway, so if you're laying up short of the burn, make sure to stay to the right to give yourself the best angle. At just 460 yards from the tips, the 9th provides a great scoring chance, with many being able to reach the green in two. Four bunkers surrounding the green may deter those who fancy their chances, though.
The 7th is a tough par 4, one of more than 450 yards. The ideal line is over the sandscape that sits in front of the tee. From there, it will be a long approach into a narrow green. Though there is no sand to avoid, the width of the putting surface is the problem here. Along with the par 5s, the 8th is a good scoring chance as well, at just 250 yards. The play is to take it on, with space short and right of the surface.
A burn comes into play on 10, but only for the longest hitters. Otherwise, it is an easy drive down the middle, avoiding the two bunkers on the left side, before a wedge or low iron to the green. 11 is the first of three par 3s on the back nine on the Championship Course at Cruden Bay, and plays back over the same burn. At just 155 yards, though, it shouldn't be that difficult, right? 12 is narrow, but short at 315 yards. Driver is not necessarily needed, especially with all the trouble down the right side.
You then come to the longest hole on the property, the 565-yard par 5 13th. It is a hole that winds its way around the coastline, with the North Sea constantly in play on your right side. A burn around the 280-yard mark is also in play for the longer hitters, though most will be able to stay short and then knock it over with their second. There is no danger on the lay up providing you're far enough to the left, before an approach to a deep green. 14 is also right by the beach, and a tough par 4 at 430 yards. Gorse on the left makes it feel even narrower.
The closing stretch on the Championship Course starts with back-to-back par 3s. 15 pushes past the 200-yard mark, but it has a large, round green to attack. 16 is 175 yards, and almost a carbon copy. Neither has sand, and both have plenty of space if you do miss the green. 17 and 18 are par 4s of 420 yards in length, and a real test to finish. The penultimate hole has a mound in the centre of the fairway. That is your line off the tee. Cruden Bay's closer is a dog-leg right, with the aiming point being just to the right of the fairway bunker. There is also only one trap by the green, and it is another large surface to deal with, should you end up far from the flag.
Our Panellists Notes for 2026
Ian Woods: The course with the most frequent wow factor I've played this year. Breathtaking design. The incredible view from the 9th tee makes the climb worthwhile. Enjoyed every moment.
Peter Rudd: Excellent course with some stunning holes. The location is also really memorable.
Sean Arble: I am as impressed with Cruden Bay today as I was when first visiting over 20 years ago. Cruden Bay's immense variety is rarely matched and for this reason alone it is one of the top courses in Scotland.
Neil White: This round of golf left me in awe. The vistas were breathtaking, and the sheer imagination required to design these quirky, devilish holes was remarkable.
Andi White: Our most fun round of the year. So many left us wondering: "How did they think of creating a hole there?"
David Walker: A traditional links which starts slowly but once you reach the 4th, this is a stunning ride of quirky traditional links course through towering dunes where strategy is more important than length.
Read more about our panellists here.
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FAQs about Cruden Bay Golf Club
Where is Cruden Bay Golf Club located?
Cruden Bay sits in the northeastern corner of Aberdeen, overlooking the North Sea. The course is located in Cruden Bay, a small village known for its stunning coastline, sandy beaches, and natural beauty. The venue is just shy of ten miles south of Peterhead, while the city of Aberdeen is round 20 miels to the south along the A90.
For international visitors, Aberdeen Airport is the closest major international airport, sitting around 20 miles from Cruden Bay. Dyce, which is at the airport, is also the nearest train station. Edinburgh Airport, which services the nation's capital, is 150 miles south of Cruden Bay.
Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Along with the Championship Course, Cruden Bay is also home to the 9-hole St Olaf Course, which also occupies a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Peterhead's Craigewan Course, Trump International, Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen are all within 20 miles of Cruden Bay.
What golf facilities does Cruden Bay offer?
Along with the Championship Course, the 9-hole St Olaf Course is a great way to spend 90 minutes to both test and improve your game. The venue also has a full-length driving range to the southwest, along with a cracking short game area and putting green.
Along with the Championship Course, Cruden Bay is also home to the 9-hole St Olaf Course, which also occupies a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Peterhead's Craigewan Course, Trump International, Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen are all within 20 miles of Cruden Bay.
What golf facilities does Cruden Bay offer?
Along with the Championship Course, the 9-hole St Olaf Course is a great way to spend 90 minutes to both test and improve your game. The venue also has a full-length driving range to the southwest, along with a cracking short game area and putting green.
What are the green fees at Cruden Bay?
The price of a green fee at Cruden Bay changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
The price of a green fee at Cruden Bay changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
For more information on current green fees at Cruden Bay, visit their website here.
Course Reviews
5.0 | 1 reviews
| 3 months ago
The course with the most frequent wow factor I’ve played this year. Even when I struggled on a few holes, I was still entranced….and thankfully I recovered my game to get the most out of it. 3rd hole - just as well as it's a blind tee shot…because seeing the green would make your knees tremble. And the challenge of the par 5 6th….careful the Bloody Burn doesn’t become that effing Burn! The incredible view from the 9th tee makes the climb worthwhile. Enjoyed every moment even as the sun went down and it became chilly.
Ian Woods
3 months on
