Cruden Bay Golf Club
Today was a choice between Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay; I had already played Royal Aberdeen so it was a no brainer to tick Cruden Bay off my list and as the coach pulls up to drop us off I am so glad I did. The view over the course is breath-taking but it’s the backdrop of the Bay of Cruden and the pure sandy beach and the old castle ruins that turns a breath-taking view into a truly magnificent view.
After checking in at the pro shop, and a chat with Hamish the starter who gave us a complimentary bottle of whiskey, I slam my tee shot down the middle, so far so good I think to myself as my second shot heads towards the flag but one bounce later and its heading down the bank leaving me a tricky chip shot, this was to become the theme of the day.
Top: 16th green looking out to the Cruden Bay. Above LtoR: 3rd, 11th and 14th holes
The 2nd hole is played to an elevated green and you guessed it, I went over the back and down the other side! The 3rd is a driveable par 4 that uses a traffic light system as it’s a blind shot through the dunes – if you are a longer hitter I would use 3-wood here as I put my ball through the green but chipped and putted for a birdie.
Next up is a stunning par three, played again to a raised green, my tee shot is a foot short of the putting surface and I have to smile as my ball gently rolls down the hill. Cruden Bay produces stunning hole after stunning hole and when you thought it couldn’t get any better you walk up to the 9th tee and everyone has their cameras out.
As I stand and survey the course from this magnificent vantage point looking out over the course and the deserted beach that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean, I not only know I made the right choice in playing this course today, but it has shot straight into the Top 10 courses I have ever played for visual appeal.
Walking off the 18th green I must have had the biggest smile on my face, the Ocean One Expedition cruise seems to have surpassed its self each day and Cruden Bay was a fitting finale to what has been a golfers dream cruise.
Above: Stone bridge crossing the burn to get to the 6th green
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