Cruden Bay

The opening hole’s close proximity to town and the daunting tabletop green at the 2nd make a warm introduction to Cruden Bay. What lies ahead, however, is a world-class stretch of golf that will rival any on the planet. The reachable par-4 3rd toys with the gusto of the big hitter. Meanwhile, the uphill par-3 that follows, nestled beside the village of Port Erroll, will likely require more of the same. The “Bluidy Burn” which crosses the par-5 6th - so named after a violent battle between the Scots and the Danes in the year 1012 - is sure to present a conundrum on approach. While ahead on the 8th - another reachable par-4 - three seems predestined on the tee, but many walk away wondering how a five proved to be so easy.

There’s an unmistakable sense of anticipation as one climbs from the 8th green to the 9th tee, the effort eventually yielding one of the finest panoramas in golf. A new tee box on the 9th and a redesigned 10th has sprung a previously dull portion of the course back to life, while taking full advantage of those seaside views. Cruden Bay’s eccentric personality is on full display at the par-4 14th, with its approach to a sunken bathtub green, and continues at the 15th - a blind, dogleg par-3. After executing the running approach required at the par-3 16th, this puzzling, yet delightful, trio of holes may produce a wry smile and the same twinkle that appeared in Old Tom’s eye all those years ago.

For the golfer who prefers courses that fit neatly into a standardized box, Cruden Bay may not be their particular brand of vodka. There are multiple reachable par-4s, blind tee shots, back-to-back par-3s, blind par-3s, a bathtub green, and an ancient burial ground. But for most, it’s those very traits, combined with the spectacular setting, that make Cruden Bay a transcendent - almost magical - place to play the game. There simply never has been, nor will there ever be, anything else like it.