Have a go at croquet

Aberdeen and Crathes Croquet Club will hold Have a Go Days between 11am and 4pm on Saturday at Crathes Castle in Banchory and on Sunday at Albury Sports Centre in Ferryhill. All equipment will be provided. No previous experience is necessary and players of all ages and physical ability compete on equal terms. Golf may be a good walk spoiled according to the American author Mark Twain, but there are few better places to take a stretch than the ninth hole at Cruden Bay.

The signature hole at the Aberdeenshire course boasts the best view in Scottish golf according to opinion poll carried out by VisitScotland.

While Cruden Bay may enjoy the best vista, the closing hole at St Andrew’s Old Course was voted as the best golf hole in Scotland.

The poll asked golfers to vote for the best opening and closing holes, a best par 3, 4 and 5, as well as a best view and a best overall hole from a selection of shortlisted holes across the country.

Cruden Bay’s 462yd par 4, which was redesigned three years ago, topped the

“Golfers can see 16 holes of the championship course”

best view category, receiving a 20% share of the vote.

The course, which enjoys views across the Bay of Cruden and Slains Castle, pipped the Castle Course at St Andrews, Machrihanish Dunes and Gullane Golf Club for the award.

Cruden Bay general manager Les Durno said: “We are absolutely delighted.

“We had a new tee installed, moved the fairway and put in a new green in the winter of 2014.

“That was designed by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert. They have worked on Turnberry and Royal Portrush and a host of other courses.

“It has been a real success as golfers can see 16 holes of the championship course from the ninth tee and I don’t think that is matched anywhere else.

“On top of that you can also see six holes of the St Olaf course.

“Considering the other winners, such as the Old Course at St Andrews and Royal Troon, it is not bad to be in such company and we are really pleased to have been recognised.”

The Machrihanish Golf Club on the Mull of Kintyre confirmed its status as the owners of the best opening hole in the world, The Battery while Moray Golf Club’s closing hole, overlooking the Moray Firth, came second in its category, ahead of both Carnoustie and Turnberry.

The 12th hole at neighbouring Hopeman Golf Club, received more than 120 votes for the best view, despite not being shortlisted.

The Postage Stamp eighth at Troon was voted the best par 3 in Scotland, while the 12th hole at Kingsbarns in Fife was voted the best par 5, finishing ahead of the 18th at Castle Stuart, the 16th at Gleneagles and the recently redesigned 10th at Trump Turnberry.