MURCAR LINKS GOLF CLUB - 16 POINTS
Murcar Links is a classic Scottish links golf course set on the coast just north of Aberdeen
In recent years Aberdeen has become a booming golf tourism destination. Cruden Bay has shot up the Top 100 lists, Royal Aberdeen’s profile has been raised thanks to hosting the Walker Cup and Scottish Open and Trump International has courted both controversy and acclaim. While these three stand above all the others in the area, Murcar is definitely a course to consider if you are looking to add a fourth course to a trip.
Murcar sits right next to Royal Aberdeen - the third green is just a few yards away from its neighbour - so you can expect a links roll on this turf. And this is classic Scottish links golf. The fairways can take the ball left or right where gorse awaits, greens are well protected by revetted pot bunkers and the greens have a fair bit of nuance.
This is not a course for the faint-hearted. You will need to drive accurately and be able to really control your ball to get close to pins. I wasn’t really prepared for the test that Murcar gives. The scorecard shows that playing off the members’ yellow tees it is a 5,875 yard course, but the real kicker is that it is a par 69. Go back to the white tees and it becomes a more conventional 6,300 yard par 71. The reason for the difference is that the two par 5s become par 4s from the yellow tees. I played the course with 15 par 4s which was unusual!
Don’t come to Murcar expecting an easy ride. Even if the wind doesn’t blow, this is a pretty tough golf course off the tee. Brute force won’t work - getting the ball in play and knowing where it is from the tee is important and some of the fairways are pretty tight.
It is a course of two nines. The first two holes are there predominantly to get you out to the dunes, which you reach properly on the 3rd green. From the fourth tee through to the ninth you play through these wonderful dunes along the coastline, although the dunes will prevent you from really seeing the beach much.
On this section of the course you will find the strongest holes. The 5th may only measure 150 yards but I played it with a 3 club crosswind which made the carry to the ‘plateau’ the hole is named after quite a challenge.
Had signature holes been a thing when the course was opened at the beginning of the 20th century that label would have been slapped on the 7th hole, ‘Serpentine’. From the tee you need to hit over a burn avoiding the wetlands on the right and gorse laden hill on the left. From there you will have a long second shot as the hole winds up a slope to a green protected with bunkers short left and right and more gorse if you are any wider on the left. This hole wouldn’t be out of place on any of the great links courses in the land.
The 8th and 9th continue with the theme of punishing gorse on the dunes to the left. The 9th is a great short par 4 - only 286 yards - but tweak one left and you will be likely to lose your ball. Hit a draw that starts on the right of the fairway though and you may well find the green.
I had been warned that this was a game of two halves and not to expect too much as the course moved inland for the back nine. The land there is certainly different. Rather than dunes, there is flatter land with adjoining fields on some holes that really changes the nature of the course.
However, the quality didn’t drop over these holes as much as I had expected. There’s a little loop of 10, 11 and 12 with some fun elevation changes before you head back towards the clubhouse, south all the way from the 13th.
There was a very strong southerly wind when I played so it wasn’t the easiest finish, but there were some really good holes. The 15th is unusual for this course. It is has an elevated tee down the hill with everything laid out before you, before a shot back up to the elevated green. Then the 16th is a really good par 3 across a ravine to a green where you have to hit enough club or you will be dead short. It is only 136 yards but played every single yard of it.
The 18th is a good finishing hole - plenty of bunkers if you’re not straight but not so long that a birdie is out of the equation!
So don’t fret about the back 9 not being of the same standard as the front - in fact, they are a little more accessible while still being a good enough test.
Overall I can see why Murcar’s reputation has grown in recent years. The course will test you but keep you entertained too. You will need to keep it in play though - errant hitters are likely to spend plenty of time looking for their ball. I imagine those who keep a good handicap here don’t feel much fear when they visit other courses!
BOOKING THE COURSE
There has been quite some green fee inflation at Murcar in recent years - £130 during the week and £150 at the weekend now. There is no indication on the website whether there are any reductions in the winter but it’s worth checking the booking engine here as some deals do appear.
If you are looking for a weekend game on a trip to Aberdeen then £150 does feel like rather a lot. Murcar is a good course for sure but this still feels really steep. If you have some flexibility and can plan in advance then you should try to play in one of the ‘Open’ events held at Murcar. A few times a year it is possible to play in one of these competitions for around £30 a round - well worth checking out! Details are available here.
Prices correct as of August 2023.
TOUR TIPS
Murcar is just a fifteen minute drive north of Aberdeen city centre so it makes sense to stay in the centre of town and then travel the short journey north.
You will get the normal Premier Inn/Travelodge options but I would recommend the Sandman hotel if you can get a good price. It is a recent renovation and the quality of the beds, room and general service was really good. Prices will depend on how many businessmen are in town at the time but it’s worth checking out and there are good deals to be had. You will be close to a plethora of good restaurants, pubs and clubs and on the right side of the city for getting to the golf courses which all lie to the north.
When it comes to the golf, there are three pretty clear options for your itinerary if you are going all out for the ultimate trip. Firstly, Cruden Bay is 63rd in the world and a favourite of many. It’s a proper Scottish links with quirks and history galore. It’s about a 30 minute drive north of Aberdeen.
Right next to Murcar is Royal Aberdeen (75th in the World). This is old-school Scottish golf. A formidable links that has hosted both the Walker Cup and Scottish Open.
The other course to consider is Trump International - between Murcar and Cruden Bay. The course is set in the most spectacular dunes you will find anywhere in Scotland and, while it has none of the charm or quirkiness of Cruden Bay, it is golf on a grand scale, manicured to a very high standard. It’s not a cheap tee-time though, and obviously some will have qualms about playing here given the ownership.
Aberdeen may seem a long way from anywhere but if you are based in the south of England, or flying in internationally, there are regular flights from London, so for many it will be just as easy to as Edinburgh or Glasgow. If you are looking to make a longer trip then it’s only a couple of hours drive up to Inverness where the delights of Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch and many others lie - make sure you stop off at Moray on the way!
CONTACT DETAILS
Murcar Links Golf Club,
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8BD
Web - www.murcarlinks.com
Phone - +44 (0)1224 704354
Email - golf@murcarlinks.com
