16-05-2025
The hidden gem golf course where PGA Tour star Robert MacIntyre grew up playing
Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban is known for its fun, eccentric layout despite being a tough walk.
Tucked away on the outskirts of Oban and overlooking the breathtaking Argyll and Bute coastline lies Glencruitten Golf Club, a compact, character-filled course that helped forge the career of PGA Tour star Robert MacIntyre.
The 27-year-old, who is competing in this week's PGA Championship, grew up playing on Glencruitten's hilly fairways. And while it may be under the radar compared to the famous names in Scottish golf, the course is far from ordinary.
At less than 4,500 yards and with a par of just 62, Glencruitten might sound short on paper, but visitors quickly learn it is anything but a pushover.
Packed with blind tee shots, dramatic elevation changes and what some call 'big dipper fairways', the course is regularly described as one of the most unique in the country.
According to the golf review site Top100Courses, it's 'one of the most unique 18-hole layouts you will play anywhere'.
The site goes on to say that calling Glencruitten 'hilly parkland' or 'eccentric and sporting' fails to capture its full character.
'As unique golfing venues go, this is up there with the very best and not to be missed if you like your golf to be both entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable,' the review adds.
Designed by five-time Open champion James Braid, Glencruitten proudly refers to itself as a 'hidden gem', and it certainly lives up to the label.
While it may not carry the fame of the Old Course at St Andrews or Gleneagles, its links to the top levels of the sport make it a must-visit for anyone keen to walk in the footsteps of legends without breaking the bank.
With green fees generally quoted at around £60, Glencruitten offers a rare chance to play a truly distinctive Scottish course at an affordable price.
The club boasts a strong TripAdvisor rating of 4.2, with glowing reviews highlighting both the challenge and charm of the layout.
One golfer called it the 'best course in the west of Scotland', while another wrote: 'Great short course, if you carry your bag take as little as possible, or use electric buggy, very hilly but great Course some tricky short uphill and some tricky downhill par 3s very scenic. Staff are really friendly'.
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Even if your golf is off-form, the sweeping views across Oban Bay are enough to lift the spirits.
And the immaculate condition of the course owes much to MacIntyre's father, Dougie, who works as Glencruitten's head greenkeeper.
Dougie famously caddied for his son when he secured his first PGA Tour title at the 2023 Canadian Open.
Glencruitten is open to visitors and, while green fees are not listed on its website, the quality and quirkiness of the course make it one of Scotland's best-kept golfing secrets, and an unforgettable experience for anyone willing to take on its slopes.
