Course Review
History
Royal Aberdeen GC dates from 1780 when the Society of Golfers of Aberdeen was founded, and the Society became the Aberdeen GC in 1815.
The club was awarded Royal status in 1903.
Originally the club played at The Queen's Links in Aberdeen and moved to the current site known as Balgownie links in 1888
The course was originally designed by Archie & Robert Simpson from Carnoustie.
James Braid later lengthened and rebunkered the course, and in more recent times Donald Steel and Martin Hawtree have made further upgrades.
Championships
Over the years Royal Aberdeen has played host to many championships including the 2005 British Senior Open Championship (won by Tom Watson) the 2011 Walker Cup and the 2014 Scottish Open (won by Justin Rose)
Course
The Balgownie links contains some wonderful golfing terrain in large dunes right on the North Sea.
It is widely accepted that the front nine is world class, but that the back nine suffers by comparison, and I agree.
The round commences with the first hole heading directly to the sea. It's a nice hole, but things go up a notch on the 2nd tee.
Holes 2-9 each play north parallel to the sea and each hole is surrounded by the impressive dunes.
There is nice variety in the holes, with the constants being long rough, rumpled fairways and greens amply defended by deep revetted bunkers.
It is wild links golf, not unlike Cruden Bay in parts, and it is exciting!
The back nine turns back south for the road home, and heads inland away from the dunes.
The terrain is less inspiring but is higher and has sea views and is exposed more to the weather.
The golf is decent without the immediate appeal of the front nine.
Having said that I liked the par 3's at eleven and seventeen
Royal Aberdeen is an exhilarating links experience in a natural wild dunes environment not unlike Machrihanish or Cruden Bay
This is my type of course.
Notable Holes
Hole 2 - a lovely par 5, and a wonderful introduction to the dunes.
Hole 3 - a long long testing par 3 in a gorgeous setting.
Royal Aberdeen GC- hole 3
Hole 4 - a longer par 4, and the hardest hole on the course.
Hole 5 - a short tricky par 4 where the areas of play seem almost overwhelmed at times by the rough and bunkering.
Royal Aberdeen GC- hole 5
Hole 6 - a shorter par 5 where accuracy and course management are critical
Hole 8 - a magnificent par 3 with ten bunkers protecting the green (see pic top of page)
Hole 14 - a strong par 4 with burn potentially in play off the tee
Hole 15 - with it's 'donut' bunker!
Royal Aberdeen GC- hole 14
Royal Aberdeen GC- hole 15
Hole 17 - a strong par 3 heading back toward the sea
Golf Tours
Royal Aberdeen is part of our escorted tour to Northern Scotland in June 2027.
Check out our tour here.
Or we can organise a game for you at Royal Aberdeen when next you head to Scotland.
We are here to help.
The Travelling Golfer specialises in small group tours and customised self-led tours. We are based in Melbourne Australia and have over 35 years experience organising golf tours to places throughout the world.
Contact us now for a free consultation.
