Cullen Links - Old Tom Trails
Founded in 1780, Cullen Golf Club sits on a very unique plot of land, as it plays its way up and down the escarpment that overlooks the bay, and in and out of the Cullen quartzite formation, with those red-stone outcrops provide the backdrop for your round. First things first with Cullen; this is not a championship golf course, it’s not got a sub-air system, and there will be holes where ‘Lady Luck’ needs to be on your side, but we believe that’s the great thing about Cullen.
Blind shots and severe slopes make it a thrilling experience, even if you’re not always happy with where the next shot has to be played from. Playing at 4,623 from the tippy tips, par of 63 – you could be forgiven for thinking 59 watch is open the cards but we highly doubt that’s within reach. What Cullen lacks in length, it makes up for with its par 3 holes. 10 in total, played anywhere between 120 and 240 yards, up the escarpment or back down it, you very quickly get the sense that hitting the green and two putting is as good as it will get.
Playing a simple form of 2 vs 2 betterball, which is the only way to play Cullen. It’s a great fun matchplay course owing to the number of par 3 holes, and the stretch from 11 to 14, where you play around the rock formation. They are exceptionally fun golf holes! One thing that’s quite interesting in the evolution of Cullen, is the extension to 18 holes. The plot of land is nowhere near big enough to accommodate 18 holes of acceptable length in todays game by medal standards, and as such the course feels like more of a holiday / recreational golf course – which is certainly no bad thing – however you cannot help but wonder if the course was left at 9 or 12 holes what it would feel like and how it would be perceived?
Cullen has a great feeling around it – welcoming, accessible and embedded in the local community’s it is exactly the type of course that Golf needs more. Green fee’s at £30 in peak times on this beautiful coastal town, it’s sustainable golf.