Glencruitten Golf Club - Oban (Argyll and Bute)

 

By far the most unusual golf course on this blog, the hidden gem Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban is quirky yet challenging. Being the home club of Scottish professional golfer Robert Macintyre, it is clear to see how he became such a good golfer with this being his stomping grounds. With 10 tricky Par 3's, some being over 200 yards, it is quite clear how Robert became such a great iron player.

You would think it would be easy at just under 4,500 yards, with only five holes over 300 yards, but this par 61 is no walk in the park. Playing this course, it felt like I was hitting up a cliff for one shot and then hitting off a cliff for the next! we experienced 4 seasons in one day at Glencruitten, from rain to hailstones and back to sunshine. 

With its extremely demanding blind shots, narrow fairways and small greens, it is fair to say I haven’t played many courses like this one. I played here a few summers ago with my girlfriend and my girlfriend’s uncle who is a member, whilst visiting her family up here. It’s safe to say - if I didn’t have a local with me, I might’ve lost a few more balls than I did. At one point you get to walk past Bob Macintyre’s family home, which was pretty cool. The course was in great condition during a typically wet Scottish summer. 

My favourite hole of the day was the short par 3 15^th as pictured above. The views from up on the tee were very nice, however, there are not many holes at Glencruitten where the views aren't. By the end of the round my legs were killing me from going up so many steep hills, the next time I get to play here I will  definitely try to remember my motocaddy.