Cruden Bay

Opened: 1899
Designer: Tom Morris & Archie Simpson / Tom Simpson & Herbert Fowler
Par: 70
Length: 6,287 yards


​The jaw-dropping setting for Cruden Bay is unsurpassed by any course in Scotland. The massive, golden dunes set upon a backdrop of the North Sea are more akin to the land seen in southwest Ireland.

The original holes were laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1899 but the course today is largely the work of Englishman Tom Simpson in 1926, who was famous for riding from course to course in a chauffer driven Rolls Royce.

Somewhat unconventional even by links golf standards, Cruden Bay is not for the faint of heart. Although not of great length, the course challenges us with its rolling and tumbling terrain that seems to funnel balls in all directions.

Famous golf architect, Pete Dye, calls Cruden Bay one of his 5 favourite courses.