Course Review
Murcar GC is located right next door to Royal Aberdeen GC, set in magnificent dunesland right on the coast just north of Aberdeen.
The course was first developed by Archie Simpson in 1909, and underwent significant remodelling again in 1926 under the watchful eye of none other than James Braid. The result is a course that is both challenging and invigorating at the same time. Make no mistake this is a stern test of golf!
It is probably fair to say that some course knowledge around Murcar is absolutely essential. Playing for the first time without a caddy will inevitably lead to pain and suffering.
It is without a doubt the most demanding 'driving' course I have ever encountered. We had an almost calm day, perfect for golf, and all of our group struggled. (I have since found out that Murcar Links hosted an amateur tournament just prior to our visit, and had deliberately tightened the fairways for the event)
Granted, lack of local knowledge was a factor, but the carries were long, many were blind or semi blind shots, and the heavy rough intruded into the driving lines on most holes.
Murcar has a gorgeous site for golf, right on the sea, with some wild dunesland which the course weaves through.
The fairways rock and roll, the revetted pot bunkers are strategically placed, and the green complexes are solid, if not spectacular.
But it is finding the fairways off the tee that defines a round at Murcar.
.
All in all, I really enjoyed Murcar, and would play again anytime. I just thought the fairways were too tight!
Notable Holes
After a relatively quiet first hole, where care is taken to hit short of fairway bunkers, the course builds nicely as it progresses.
Hole 4, par 4 - wildly undulating fairway, and green sited in a pretty dell below for a mid iron approach.
Hole 7, par 4 - named 'Serpentine', it requires quite a long carry from an elevated tee over a burn, to a fairway protected down the right side by water. You have to carry long and left to be safe, but the long second shot is really only achievable from mid right. This is a very strong hole, but strategically sound.
Murcar Links- hole 7
Hole 15, short par 4 - also a favourite with elevated tee shot, and everything laid out below for you to see - quite unlike the rest of the course, but lovely all the same. You can assess the out of bounds down the right, the burn crossing the fairway teasing the big drive, and then the approach to an elevated green tucked in the dunes. And adding to the interest, the hole crosses the tough mid length par 3 sixteenth. A carry goes right over the previous fairway to another elevated green. It's a really good hole.
Murcar Links- hole 15
Golf Tours
Murcar should be included in your golf tour to Aberdeen in Northern Scotland. There are many great courses near by, including Royal Aberdeen GC is right next door, the wonderful Cruden Bay and the two spectacular Trump Courses, to name just a few.
We can organise a golf tour to Aberdeen and surrounds for you and your golfing mates. Just ask us.
The Travelling Golfer specialises in small group tours and customised self-led tours. We are based in Melbourne Australia and have over 35 years experience organising golf tours to places throughout the world.
Contact us now for a free consultation.
