Murcar Links Golf Club

Murcar Links Golf Club used to be one of golf’s best ‘hidden gems’. It’s less of a secret nowadays, as it was only a matter of time before its quality garnered the attention it deserves. 

When you play GB&I Top 100 staple Royal Aberdeen you might spot what looks to be yet more agreeable linksland over its northern boundary. Its name is Murcar and you will be very pleased to formally meet.

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It is one of those courses people bore you about for years on end after visiting, thinking they have somehow unearthed a ‘hidden gem’ that few other golfers ever have experienced.

Or at least they used to, because Murcar is getting a little more credit these days, despite sitting in one of the most well-endowed areas in British golf.

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It is hard to understand why Murcar has not always got the attention it deserves because it is a very fine links with fast-running crumpled fairways, gorgeous turf and an array of impressive holes.

If our ranking in our GB&I Links Top 100 and Scottish Top 100 results in a spike in visitors, we can only apologise to those who cherish it as their own little secret.

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Murcar might be less exciting just after the turn but don’t let that put you off; it is a fine links, and with the added attraction of a sensible green fee and an especially warm welcome from members and staff pleased you’ve chosen to visit their course.

So you can enjoy the sporty par 4s, the blind shots, the reachable par 5s and the pot bunkers (sort of) – but do make sure you arrive expecting to run up the odd big score out of absolutely nowhere.

This is no pitch and putt and the small greens and acute run-offs have caused even good short games to disintegrate.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Great Quirky Course 19 March 2014

  By Mark Nicholas

  Wonderful course if you like quirky links golf, very well maintained. With an ever changing wind the course never plays the same way twice, club selection is important, as is course management. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, would recommend to anyone who's in the area.

• 4.5 out of 5 Wow!! 19 May 2009

  By ian15

  What an amazing place. Everything about it is just superb. Friendly staff, practice facilities to envy anywhere, and just the most fantastic course layout you could wish for. With a wind in your face, or right behind, make the most of when it helps you. Driveable par fours and unreachable par threes depending on the wind makes for a great thinking game and challenging club selection. Proper links golf with a great Scottish welcome. What more could you want. Brilliant!!