Hole 2 - Par 4

From the tees on the second hole a spectacular view of the North Sea is revealed. Menie Burn, which bisects the hole, can be carried on the drive by the strongest players seeking a shorter second shot. The green is very gently contoured and around the green a few but severe hollows will test the players missing the green on their approach shot.

  Hole 3 - Par 3

This hole produces great excitement as the player walks towards the green down a sunken grass path, slowly becoming aware of the sound of waves, as the magnificent North Sea is revealed. A favourite spot on the golf course, the hole is sheltered by the surrounding dunes and is the closest point on the course to the sea, as it laps against the sandy shore-line just a few feet from the green.

  Hole 4 - Par 5

A great par 5 played to a high green set into a dune gap that forms part of the escarpment leading up to the Balmedie Mobile dune system. The high tees reveal spectacular views of the North Sea and Aberdeen city in the distance.


A great feature of this hole is Blairton Burn which runs the full length of the hole. The green is sensational, the most contoured green on the links and a favourite of the designer, Dr Martin Hawtree.

  Hole 5 - Par 4

From this elevated tee the view exposes the extent of the site and most of the coast-line towards Cruden Bay. To the left of the hole a large field of heather create an ambiance of heath-land; combine this with the links landscape on the right and it makes for a truly unique setting.

  Hole 6 - Par 3

A gem of a par three, this is the shortest hole on the course. It is a magical hole with the green tucked into a valley of dunes, guarded by a cavernous drop to Blairton Burn on the right and a dramatic dune on the left. In a strong south-westerly wind, the line of play over the dune needs careful consideration.

  Hole 7 - Par 4

A short par 4, the green is reachable on the drive. The green looks a tempting target; however, a rise short of the green hides the deep swales and hollows surrounding the green awaiting any misplaced shots. The green is the smallest on the course emphasising precision from the players.

  Hole 8 - Par 4

Following the shortest is the longest par 4 on the course. The fairway winds its way towards the green along a large wet-land which separates the fairway from the second hole.


The green sits below a series of dunes and through a small gap there is a concealed view of the 1st green. The green is not protected by any bunkers, but the surrounding contours, which intersects into the green surface, makes it a challenging green.

  Hole 9 - Par 4

The drive is deceivingly narrow with the landing area opening up slightly on the right-hand-side. The green is long and narrow and the pin position will affect the choice of club for the approach dramatically. The green is guarded by three bunkers of which only one or two are visible from the fairway.

Behind the green is an ancient ice-hut to store fish which was used by local fishermen; the ice would keep the fish fresh for longer.

  Hole 10 - Par 5

This Par 5 is played from tees set amongst an area of native heather, past a winter loch onwards and upwards towards the green which is set through a narrow pass flanked by towering marram-clad dunes on both sides. 

The green sits in a natural amphitheatre created by the surrounding dunes. It is probably one of the most iconic sites of a green on the course and was identified very early in the planning of the course.

  Hole 11 - Par 4

The 11th hole features the highest elevated tee on the course with stunning views from which most of the site is visible. It is a slight dog-leg right and the long and brave players can try to cut the corner slightly off the tee.

The approach to the green has to be precisely negotiated with deep bunkers on the left and steep run-off to the right-hand-side.

  Hole 12 - Par 4

There are very highly elevated tees as well as low tees on this hole which turns back into the prevailing wind. From the high tees the views are fantastic; however, if the wind is blowing the tee shot becomes a daunting exercise even though the fairway is very generous. From the lower tees the wind plays less of a factor but the fairway is slightly elevated.

The approach to the green offers sensational panoramic views. Played across a small ravine and as on many other holes the sheer scale of the surrounding dunes makes the judging of the distance incredibly difficult.

  Hole 13 - Par 3

This is an incredible hole that plays west to east. “I have tried to emphasise this sudden change in direction by a spectacular valley hole, played from any of the tees this hole cascades down the slope into a “river” of marram grass” (Martin Hawtree, 2012)

The walk from the 13th Green to the 14th Tees, through the dunes with the emerging views and sounds of the North Sea waves, is one of the most engaging and scintillating experiences throughout the links.

  Hole 14 - Par 4

On approaching the tees, the vastness of the North Sea and greatness of the dunes come together and provide an awe-inspiring hole unlike any other. The fairway follows a valley surrounded by the dunes to the green and appears deceivingly narrow against the incredible amphitheatre of dunes.

  Hole 15 - Par 4

The last hole before the course turns back to the clubhouse is a short par 4 which presents the player with several strategic options. The extreme variation in the tee positions offers very different challenges for the tee shot. The very wide fairway lies in a valley bordered by dunes which some have described could have been part of a set from a western movie.

  Hole 16 - Par 3

The last three holes turn the players back into the prevailing wind heading towards the clubhouse. The tee complex offers the players different options for length and angles to the green which makes the hole play very different from each tee.

The green is protected by no less than 7 bunkers and sets an intimidating tone for the tee shot. The green is generous in size and will easily hold a well struck ball.

  Hole 17 - Par 4

The penultimate hole is a par 4 rising steadily from tee to green. A valley follows the left-hand-side of the fairway and anybody looking to shorten the hole by playing straight towards the green will be faced with a difficult recovery shot out of the valley. The long and relatively narrow three tiered green is among the larger on the course.

  Hole 18 - Par 5

The final hole on the course is also the longest. The elevated tees offer an exhilarating experience with the coast and sky line of Aberdeen in view. To the left of the fairway are two large winter lakes very much as part of the natural dune landscape on the site.