Drawing Blood at Cruden Bay Golf Club: Surviving the Challenges of Scottish Links Golf

by Sandy Glenn

A true test of ones skill, or lack thereof, can be found while navigating a Scottish links course. Case in point is Cruden Bay Golf Club. About 20 miles north of Aberdeen on the east coast of Scotland, a rugged coastline hugs the North Sea. Set among breathtaking cliffs and a small, windswept village, Cruden Bay awaits its next victim. The layout affords the most spectacular views of golden sand beaches and grassy dunes, and set against a stormy sky, the sobering ruins of Slain’s Castle. The ruins bring to mind visions of vampire’s and all things dark and scary, so it was no surprise to learn that Bram Stoker had been a guest of the castle in the late 1800’s and began to write his most famous novel, Dracula, while staying there.

At 6,395 yards, Cruden Bay wouldn’t be considered lengthy, but it is a dearly clever riddle to be solved. Originally designed by Old Tom Morris, it was redeveloped in the 1920’s by Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler, and it becomes increasingly obvious that their common goal was to challenge the player with their disguised layout.

Narrow fairways lined with gorse-covered hills cruelly remind the player that an accurate tee shot is imperative. With most of the greens deceptively hidden or engineered to a high degree of difficulty, a well placed second shot seemed just as important. Having a local caddy should have been helpful, but his thick, Scottish brogue was such that I never did decipher his name, let alone any of his expert advice. As to be expected, I typically found trouble. My husband, on the other hand,fared much better by not only being a vastly more skilled golfer, but a far better listener and linguist.

Each hole was a mixture of heaven and hell, but two standouts come to mind. Number 8, Arden Draught, is a short 232 yard par four that requires an accurate tee shot down the narrow fairway and a controlled second shot in order to avoid a treacherous putting experience. I failed miserably and was swiftly humbled by my 4 putt from the high side of the green.

The second mental twister was number 15, Blin’ Dunt, a 200 yard blind par 3 (par 4 for the ladies). Expectations were to drive our shots over a large hill to the blind green sunk at the base of a dune. Accuracy is everything, but sorely missing in my game that day. Even so, a high score accompanied by 40 mph winds and a wicked, intermittent downpour did not manage to dampen my spirits. Besides, the 19

If given the chance, challenge your skills at this very special place called Cruden Bay. Just don’t forget your rain gear, your sense of humor, and a Scottish translator.