The Pit versus The Bathtub

[Ira Fishman]

We played Cruden Bay today and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same is true of playing North Berwick a few years ago. I have been debating (with myself) for the past few hours whether 13 at NB or 14 at CB is the more successful use of an unusual/quirky natural green site.


Ira

[Tim Gallant]

I love everything about Cruden Bay - it's such a wonderful place, and you can't go wrong with either. I've played Pit a few more times, and in that time, here's just a few of the things I've seen:


- Someone banking a putt off the opening in the wall to get it close to the pin
- Someone stand on one side of the wall, reach over, and hit their shot
- Someone sit on the wall and play a shot
- A ball hit the top of the wall and ricochet onto the beach
- Playing a recovery from a beach blanket
- A ball bounce three times on the wall, and end-up 3 feet from the pin
- A dunked approach for a 2


For sheer variety, it's tough to beat. But I imagine those that call CB home have seen some wild things as well. It's what makes them both so good

[Ken Moum]

Personally,  I think that just up the road at Fraserburgh, the bathtub in front of the green works better. But that's just me.


The Pit is pretty cool, however.

[Thomas Dai]

I played with a visitor at CB whose second to the 14th went sooo far wide right onto the beach that he attempted to play his next shot from the water which given the tide was fully out at the time is a loooong way off-line.
Also recall an approach shot to the 14th somehow ending up inside a small wooden shelter that was adjacent to the 15th tee.
And playing late at night cross country golf going direct from the 13th tee to the 18th green bi-passing the 14th and other greens entirely.
I believe although I’m not entirely sure that at some stage maybe 35 yrs or so ago the level of the 14th green may have been raised.
Atb

[Ira Fishman]

Personally,  I think that just up the road at Fraserburgh, the bathtub in front of the green works better. But that's just me.


The Pit is pretty cool, however.

On the way to Fraserburgh. I will let you know.


Ira

[Niall C]

There's a few courses up that way with sunken greens; 2nd Moray Old, one of the greens on Buckpool (can't recall which) and one other that I can't recall.


Niall

[Mark Pearce]

We played Cruden Bay today and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same is true of playing North Berwick a few years ago. I have been debating (with myself) for the past few hours whether 13 at NB or 14 at CB is the more successful use of an unusual/quirky natural green site.

Of those two, 13 at NB is the better hole.


But (and I'm likely to be thrown off the site for this), 14 at Goswick is a better hole than both and has a similar (if only slightly less quirky) natural greensite).

[Ira Fishman]

Personally,  I think that just up the road at Fraserburgh, the bathtub in front of the green works better. But that's just me.


The Pit is pretty cool, however.

Ken we had a wonderful day on Fraserburgh even in a 2-3 Club win (or perhaps because of it). I understand why number 1 and 18 affect people’s view of the course, but as you know, the variety of holes and land movement from 3 through 17 are superb.


I highly recommend the course to any one who loves links and travels to the Aberdeen area (it was less than an hour from downtown Aberdeen. Plus the green fee is a bargain for the quality of the course.


Ken, however, our caddies looked at us funny when we asked about the bathtub, and one of them has played there for over 50 years (and was the club champion). We tried to guess which hole but with no real confidence. 10 seemed closest to fitting the bill.


Ira

[Sean_A]

We played Cruden Bay today and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same is true of playing North Berwick a few years ago. I have been debating (with myself) for the past few hours whether 13 at NB or 14 at CB is the more successful use of an unusual/quirky natural green site.

Of those two, 13 at NB is the better hole.


But (and I'm likely to be thrown off the site for this), 14 at Goswick is a better hole than both and has a similar (if only slightly less quirky) natural greensite).

14 Goswick is a good hole for sure. However, I don't think it has the thrill of Pit's drive with fairway leaning toward bunkers and the wall or approach over the wall. 14 Goswick, however, does allow for a grounder to get on the green, no small matter for shorter hitters into a wind. It's also possible to get close to most hole locations from most approach positions. The two are very different holes.

Ciao