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Why a nine-hole golf course broke into our Scotland top 100 list

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Small in size but rich in quality. Here’s why nine-hole courses should be considered when we think of the best golf courses

‘I think a lot of golf courses would be all the better if they were 16 holes or 15 holes,’ said NCG Top 100s Podcast host Tom Irwin.

When you think of the 100 best courses in Scotland, do any nine-holers spring to mind?

They did for the National Club Golfer who ranked the St Olaf at Cruden Bay 84th in their top 100s Scotland rankings.

Musselburgh Old nine-hole course

The nine-hole course sits in the centre of the property as has done since opening in 1920. Despite its lack of coastal holes, it has been credited for its numerous pot bunkers and littering of gorse in offering a true links test.

Irwin and his fellow NCG Top 100s Podcast host, Dan Murphy, spoke about how this Aberdeenshire nine-hole golf course nestled itself amongst Scotland’s elite.

“We don’t mind at all, we just judge the course for what it is,” said Murphy.

“Courses in the top 10 (of the rankings) often have weak holes, it’s very rare you find a course without a weak hole.

“We are very much (of the opinion), come one come all, in terms of the number of holes and it is a shame we have become codified about 18 holes.

“I would say, almost without exception, looking down this list you could make a very strong argument that each course you could make better by taking out the odd hole here or there. 

“It is so difficult to get 18 great holes. So I am well up for those courses that have not been too greedy and are happy being nine or in one case 12 holes.”

The inclusion of a nine-hole golf course has caused some controversy and debate, with its merit being called into question.

Cruden Bay St Olaf

“There has been a number of people saying ‘what are you doing ranking nine holers in top 100 lists when there’s plenty of good 18 holers to go at’”, claimed Irwin.

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“To say we’re just going to consider the course on the merit of the holes it has got is the right position.”

“I kind of like our position on this because I think a lot of golf courses would be all the better if they were 16 holes or 15 holes.

“You can count on several fingers the places where you go that have 14 brilliant holes but four weak ones. County Down would be a great example. That could be the best 14 hole golf course in the world.”

NCG stance of courses that don’t have 18 holes

“I think it is the right stance personally because otherwise what do you do with an amazing nine-holer? Do you just ignore it?

Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast

HAVE YOUR SAY

What do you think of nine-hole golf courses? Do they have a place in golf or should golf clubs stick to championing 18-hole venues? Have you played the St Olaf course at Cruden Bay? If so, what did you think of it? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!

About the author

Max Mcvittie

A bit of a late bloomer to the game of golf, Max fell in love with the sport when he attended Saturday coaching sessions down at his local golf club after being inspired by friends and family members.

Max has remained a member of Eden Golf Club in Carlisle for a number of years now as he looks to get his handicap down into single figures. Most of his golfing career has been spent battling a permanent slice off the tee, which has led to some ugly rounds.

Having studied at the University of Sunderland, Max is starting out his dream career in sports journalism. During his time at university, he picked up valuable work experience at Reach PLC, BBC Radio Cumbria and GiveMeSport, whilst also getting work published in the Teesside Live. He also spent time working at a local weekly newspaper, Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser, as a general news reporter partially covering some local sport just north of the border in Langholm.

Max has just started his journey with the NCG working as the assistant equipment editor. He looks forwarded to reviewing the latest golf equipment, taking up an interest in reviews when buying his first golf club, a Cleveland RTX wedge.

With his bag not going under too many changes throughout the last few years, Max carries an M3 driver, Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood, M2 hybrid, a set of M2 irons, Callaway Jaws wedges and a TaylorMade Spider putter. And yes, Max is a bit of a self-proclaimed TaylorMade fan boy.

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