Cʀᴜᴅᴇɴ Bᴀʏ (Sᴛ Oʟᴀғ)

This is a bit of a ‘bonus’ post. Plenty of the recently featured Scottish courses have some kind of second course - either a full 18 or a short course. I’ve generally focussed on the main courses, but wanted to make an exception for Cruden Bay’s second course - the St Olaf.

It’s a 9 hole course that plays inside the front 9 loop of the main course, and it really is excellent. If you’re visiting to play the main course - you can play the St Olaf for no additional green fee.

The first few are classic second course stuff - quite short and tight, plenty of gorse to keep you focussed. But the last few holes are truly excellent. The dogleg Sixth plays up and over a large dune ridge. It’s a stunning hole and it’s worth playing St Olaf for this one alone.

The following par 3 would also be strong enough to feature on the main course, and would probably improve a lot of courses around the country.

Finally Eight and Nine (photos 2 and 1 respectively) provide a testing finish. Eight is representative of the early St Olaf holes, while Nine is a charming par 3 set amongst the whins.

If you’re venturing to Cruden Bay, please don’t forget to play this great little 9.