Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Murcar Links Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

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Harald Hallen (Sweden) 26/07/07

This was the seventh and last stop on a golf tour in July 2007 by four Swedish golfers.

It's difficult for me to give a fair assessment of Murcar because my own game was a long way from its best on this particular day. Before going on to the course itself, I'd like to say that we received a warm welcome in the pro shop and the clubhouse was definitely the best we've seen on our tour. The BLT baguette that I bought to take with me on the course was the yummiest I've ever had!

We has a pre-booked tee time, and although there was at least one competition going on and the course was full of players, there was never a sense of being hurried. We hardly ever had to wait on tee and there was no pressure from behind, either.

It may be due to my poor play on this day, but my impression is that Murcar is one of the most difficult courses I've ever played. The holes are not very long, but they require accuracy. Unlike the other links courses we played during our tour, Murcar is totally merciless if you veer off the fairway. Nowehere else (Brora, Tain, R. Dornoch, Strathlene, Fraserburgh) did we find such dense gorse and broom thickets so close to the fairways.

At the same time, it has to be said that Murcar has many very fine golf holes. I'd like to play it again on a day when my game is in better shape. I especially liked the first four holes which are close to Royal Aberdeen, with their hummocks, undulations and bunkers. The front nine as a whole was definitely better than the back nine, in my opinion.

The course was in good, but not exceptional condition. I think it's a bit overpriced, but I suppose that has a lot to do with its proximity to Aberdeen.

Value for Money	5
Challenge	10
Off Course	9

John Murray (England) 01/12/06

I recently played Murcar for the first time after having read favourable reports from other contributors and I wasn't disappointed. The pro' was very friendly and helpful and he assured me I was playing on a typical 'links day' which I didn't fully grasp the meaning of until I got out on the course - the wind. It wasn't blowing a gale, although it felt like it at times, but to someone used to playing on inland parkland courses it made for a real challenge. The course isn't particularly long and the fairways are well defined and generously wide on lots of holes but the rough can be treacherous - bracken, heather and gorse. I'd say the back nine are easier than the front nine but when I played the wind assisted me on the front nine and was against me on the back nine. On some holes I was taking two clubs more than I normally would and still came up short. I'd guess the signature hole is the 7th on which you need to carry a burn with your drive. There are several blind tee shots with marker posts to guide you. The 13th is a really difficult test - a blind uphill tee shot into a strong wind and then an elevated green protected by a burn which of course I found. The 14th was just as difficult and despite a good tee shot I came up 50 yds short of the green with my second despite clubbing up by two. There are 3 par 3's the most difficult being the 12th. The course is well provided for bunkers and some are so deep I took the coward's way out and played sideways. The weather was beautiful, despite the wind, and for most of the round I didn't see another golfer. The grren fee was £30 which is reasonable for a course like this. The only slight drawback was that winter mats were in use (£10 deposit required) and as I hadn't used these before it took me a little while to get used to them. Nice modern clubhouse with good food at a reasonable price. Overall, a really enjoyable visit and one I'd definitely repeat.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Patrick Phelan (England) 19/04/05

A group of us came over from Ireland to Aberdeen for a couple of days and literally stumbled across Murcar a couple of days before and were we glad we did.

The course was a pleasure to play on. Fabulous condition and exceptionally testing. Hole after hole we were not only blown away by the course but scenery was stunning also.

Murcar dispells the misconception that a so called short course is any less of a challenge. We were glued to the stroke savers and I don't think I took my woods out all through the round.

Murcar is golf at its pinpoint, accurate best. Showboating is punished and consistancy is rewarded.

To top the whole day off the welcome we recieved in the bar was one which I personally have never experienced before. They just couldn't do enough for us.

Murcar has to be top of any golf trip to Aberdeen.

Bill Crain (USA) 02/11/04

On this trip we had played Royal Dornoch, Nairn, and Cruden Bay (all of which were return visits)and several other courses, when we had Murcar and Royal Aberdeen scheduled for the same day.

Little did we know that Murcar would turn out to be our "find" of the trip. We teed off at 8:00 AM and the only caddy available was the caddy master. He joined us, made us feel truly welcome and was terrific. Even in a gale wind we loved the course. The dunes and views were spectacular. The greens were excellent. The par 4's were particularly outstanding. But, one had better stay on the fairway, or it is a long day.

Murcar is why Scottish golf is so rewarding -- a relatively unknown course that turns out to be even better than some of its better known neighbors!

We can't wait to schedule a match on our next trip.

Scott Matchette (USA) 27/07/04

This course is absolutely outstanding. The front nine is likely the best contiguous nine holes I've played. The inward nine is good too. We recently played Royal Aberdeen as well as this one. Loved both, but we all liked Murcar more. Just a great place and a can't miss if you're in the Aberdeen area.

James McCann (Scotland) 05/08/03

Played the Murcar Open on 3rd August 2003. Arrived late the night before and the clubhouse staff could not have been more accomodating in providing a meal and a terrific welcome.

Many of the holes are on a par with its more illustrious neighbour, Royal Aberdeen, next door (I know for a fact as I played that course last October). It really is an excellent test of golf.

Was going well on a beautiful day for playing golf, with not

more than a five on the card until losing a ball in the gorse on both holes 13 and 14. Punishment is severe for going too far astray and this keeps you on your toes throughout!

'Hidden gems' is a much used phrase in golfing books, but

believe me, because it is overshadowed by Royal Aberdeen

and Cruden Bay, this links is truly a hidden gem, up there in my top five or six courses played.