Cruden Bay vs. Royal Aberdeen

[Shane Wright]

If you are in this region of Scotland and only have ONE round to play, which course would you choose and why?

 

[David_Tepper]

Shane -

I played one round on each course in 2000. I believe some changes have been made on the back-9 of Royal Aberdeen since then. I think a few holes on the back-9 at Cruden Bay have been changed since then as well.

If you are looking to play a classic, straight-forward, links course, I would recommend Royal Aberdeen. If you are looking for quirk, unusual holes, blind shots, etc., I would recommend Cruden Bay.

DT

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

David is the better man on this. I am Cruden Bay 100%. CB is fun great golf.

[Kevin Pallier]

CB

Because of the uniqueness and fun factor

[Mark_F]

Royal Aberdeen - assuming you can find it.

The front nine is wonderful, the back nine only a little less so. 

Too much dull stuff at Cruden Bay.

[Matthew Schulte]

Shane:

100% vote for Royal Aberdeen!  The front 9 is truly exceptional and the back 9 is better than advertised. 

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Calling Mr. Anthony Gray...

[Sean_A]

I think Aberdeen is the stronger course, but I prefer Cruden Bay for its variety even with its few dud holes.  If you have already seen championship type links than Aberdeen is another version of that, very good golf, but not anything unusual.  CB on the other hand is quite unique.

Ciao

[Brian Phillips]

I think Aberdeen is the stronger course, but I prefer Cruden Bay for its variety even with its few dud holes.  If you have already seen championship type links than Aberdeen is another version of that, very good golf, but not anything unusual.  CB on the other hand is quite unique.

Ciao

This sums up my thoughts perfectly.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I think Aberdeen is the stronger course, but I prefer Cruden Bay for its variety even with its few dud holes.  If you have already seen championship type links than Aberdeen is another version of that, very good golf, but not anything unusual.  CB on the other hand is quite unique.

Ciao

This sums up my thoughts perfectly.

+1

[Andrew Mitchell]

I think Aberdeen is the stronger course, but I prefer Cruden Bay for its variety even with its few dud holes.  If you have already seen championship type links than Aberdeen is another version of that, very good golf, but not anything unusual.  CB on the other hand is quite unique.

Ciao

This sums up my thoughts perfectly.

+1

Add me to that list as well

[Jeff Dawson]

Aberdeen is a great championship course.  Cruden Bay will stir your soul.

[Colin Macqueen]

Cruden Bay for me. I have played neither. However Cruden Bay tugs at my heartstrings as my dear ol' Mum used to holiday there when a wee girl as she lived in Aberdeen and used to rabbit on about it to us kids.......a bit like that chap Anthony I guess.

Colin

[Steve Kline]

Cruden Bay

Although the front nine at Aberdeen is all world.

[Jim Eder]

Add me to the list of the others. There is something special, unique at Cruden Bay that puts it ahead of Royal Aberdeen in my eyes. Cruden Bay does have a few holes that are a bit "not there" but the uniqueness supercedes those issues. Royal Aberdeen is a terrific course, a stronger course, a better challenge to me. I agree with Mark that the back nine is better than what many say.  I think the front is so strong that in a relative sense the back pales a bit but in an absolute sense the back nine at Royal Aberdeen is still very fine. To be honest if you sentenced me to play only one of them for the rest of my life I would say thank you and enjoy my golf those following years.

[Doug Wright]

Royal Aberdeen is a classy course and the front nine is excellent, but Cruden Bay is one of my favorite courses in Scotland. The variety, interest, beauty and fun at Cruden Bay is hard to beat.

[Gary Slatter]

impossible to go wrong, both are great golf experiences.  I'd prefer RA 6 to 4 for 10 rounds.   But don't rush through the area, the surrounds add to he charm of both.  and don't let anyone say the back nine at RA is not good, because it is excellent!

[Sev K-H Keil]

No contest: Cruden Bay --- probably the course I enjoy the most in Scotland (next to RD) --- it's interesting, unique, a little quirky, but great fun --- also, very friendly atmosphere

[ward peyronnin]

Shane

You could play both in the same day with no problem.

But Cruden Bay has more character no only on design side but
1) A castle ruins that glows when lit by the afternoon sun
2) The blokes there are more good ol Scot's boys; RA can be stuffy and proud.
3) While it is fun to be right up on the first tee when in the lounge at RA the view from the CB clubhouse is breathtaknig
4) CB has the bones of 1000 yr old Viking warriors buried under the 17th fairway.
5) CB does not have the hideous high rises backing almost the entire back nine 
6) Cb has a very fun small course you could also play, St Olafs altho RA has Murcar
7) RA does not have Port Errol

But then I am an overseas member for a  reason

Ward

[Anthony Gray]

  Shane,

  Cruden Bay but only if you are a fan of Golf Course Architecture.Old Tom even has his hand print there.It fits the land perfectly.And if you are into top 100 lists your only choice is Cruden Bay.If you own a Confidential Guide by Tom Doak you'll find a picture of Cruden Bay on the cover.If you play golf for fun Cruden Bay would be your choice.If these don't interest you than drive a little to the south,but don't expect a face lick.

  Anthony

[Melvyn Morrow]

Hands off Gray saw it before you - Its a great golf club too.

Melvyn

[Shane Wright]

Anthony - classic

Gentlemen- thank you for the great responses. Unfortunately, next August, it is only going to work out to play one of them.  Rest assured, I will be back many more times.  I'd love to see every links course in the U.K....slowly by surely.


But I'll report back for those interested!

Shane

[Yancey_Beamer]

CB
My favorite course on this entire planet.

[Niall C]

I've only played Cruden Bay so not really qualified to comment but what the hell, this is GCA right ? If Royal Aberdeen is as good as they say it is a considerably better than Cruden Bay and if its not I would be sorely disappointed. Take away the supposed "charm" of CB and you find that the back nine are a grave let down after the first 6 or 7 holes which are excellent.

Niall

[Sean_A]

I've only played Cruden Bay so not really qualified to comment but what the hell, this is GCA right ? If Royal Aberdeen is as good as they say it is a considerably better than Cruden Bay and if its not I would be sorely disappointed. Take away the supposed "charm" of CB and you find that the back nine are a grave let down after the first 6 or 7 holes which are excellent.

Niall

Niall

Not for my money.  #s 1, 2, 9 (the worst of all - just a boring slog) & 15 are the weak links and what keep me from really placing Cruden Bay among the very elite links.  These holes are also the reason I think Aberdeen is a stronger course.  It doesn't have the highs of Cruden Bay, but neither does it have the lows - much more consistent high quality golf hole. 

Ciao