Cruden Bay Golf Course

Last week, I wrote about Morton Hall. And in this week, I will talk about the Cruden Bay links course. On this course, I was impressed because of its majestic and fantastic routing. In 1926 the course was redesigned to the current layout by Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler. They also redesigned the St Olaf course which was opened at the same time. In routing the course, the first goal should be to explore the property and to direct the golfer to its most dramatic spots. Totally, I could appreciate the characteristic property and the fantastic dramatic views on routed spots.

This course begins with three holes below the town’s main street, which plays tantalizingly away from the ocean. On the tee of first hole, golfers cannot realize that this course is links course. There is only the land with rolling slop and gorse. However, the intention of architects might hide the surprising dramatic view on the course.

1st hole on the tee

1st hole on the fairway

On the first and second hole, the interesting point is that golfers on the tee 1st hole can appreciate both greens (1st and 2nd hole). On second hole, the plateau green is the feature of this hole with bunkers on the left and a big fall away on the right. This is very similar to my last project (par 5 hole on Gullane project), as the landing area of the fairway was two area (high level, and low level). High level landing area requires the accuracy of driving shot. And on this area golfer can hit the second shot easily to the green. But because of the bunker on mid-fairway, it is not easy to hit tee shot to the high level. Even the slop of high level is tilted, which makes this hole difficult. I can see the intention of preserving existing natural slop and using it as strategy.

2nd hole on the tee

4th hole on the tee

And this course turns to the sea alongside Cruden Water at the wonderful par-3 4th, where golfers are beginning a journey with leaving civilization. And next this course plows through huge dunes.

5th hole on the tee

From 5th to 8th, those holes were designed with using the huge dunes. On the second, the plateau tee offers a beautiful view. Personally, this hole is the best hole showing the characteristic topography by using the sand dunes. Especially, two sand dunes in front of the tee not only stimulate golfers’ curiosity, but also express their picturesque landscape. Strategically, the left side fairway is good position to approach the green. Two long accurate shots can reach the green. 5th hole on the fairway

On 6th hole (par 5, 525yds), there is a creek, called ‘Bluidy Burn’, which was disguised from the tee and even fairway. It can be demanding to the Golfers trying to approach the green in two shots because of the burn.

6th hole on the fairway





7th hole on the tee

On 7th hole, I could not see the green on the tee. But on the wide fairway, I could see the green elevated between two mounds.
7th hole on the fairway

And then the routing crossed over itself into the par 3, 8th hole. This is a shot par 4. This is not only a hole, but a huge natural amphitheater, which excites golfers. This hole was the climax enough to show the characters from 4th to 8th.

8th hole on the tee

After the 8th hole, When I stood on the tee, all I would want to do is admiring the view. To appreciate this majestic sea-scape, it seemed that I had walked around the site. Especially, on 10th hole, driving shot was very impressing. But it seems difficult for golfer to fall pass the burn(creek).

10th hole on the tee

Drop dramatically back to the links and play out to the far end at the 12th green; run the narrow gauntlet between the dunes and the high hill from the 14th through 16th holes, completing the southern loop of the figure-eight routing; and finally head inland to finish below the clubhouse. On the routing of Cruden Bay, the most interesting point is that the golf course is routed exactly the way I might be inclined to wander the property if there were no golf course there. This course is not only golf course, but the attraction of naturally inherited Cruden Bay.


Routing of Cruden Bay

In summary, Cruden Bay golf course took the greatest advantage of the property’s existing natural asset. These days, many modern courses, relegated to unpromising ground, rely upon the creative skills of the architect utilizing earthmovers, and the lay of the land may be of little consequence. But this course shows the correct routing through the natural terrain without the big construction. I could not find the artificial trace of the golf course. It is absolutely harmonized with the nature. On the other hands, there is a host of blind tee shorts and hidden greens. Especially, 15th hole (200yds.) was special on me, as par3 blind hole is not common. I though it was not reasonable. However, what wonderful, natural and compelling golf it is. This hole was also only the route to appreciate the landscape of Cruden Bay.

15th hole, par 3 on the tee

I will remember the Cruden bay as one of natural original courses, such as St Andrews, which let me know how much important the natural heritage and its use was.