Victoria Rd,
Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5LX
Office
+44 (0)13397 55 567Pro shop
+44 (0)13397 55 658Fax
+44 (0)13397 55 057Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Bill YuleThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Residential setting.
Designer:
James Braid
57.045154
-3.048749
42 miles W of Aberdeen
From Aberdeen follow the A93 Deeside Road for approximately 45 miles, through Banchory and Aboyne, to Ballater. In the centre of Ballater turn left into Golf Road, and follow road for less than 1 mile to golf.
Ballater
Ballater Golf Club: On the edge of the Cairngorm mountains in the Scottish Highlands, the golf course at Ballater is laid out alongside the banks of the River Dee. This part-open, part-wooded course provides a fine test for golfers of all levels, and is a favourite with local and visiting golfers alike.
The well-maintained fairways and greens are arranged over gently undulating terrain, more in-keeping with its riverside location, than reflecting the steeper contours of the picturesque wooded hills beyond the course.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire
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Approx eight miles to the west of Ballater is the royal residence of Balmoral, where the royal family have traditionally spent their summer holidays. The turrets of Balmoral Castle can be glimpsed from the A93 (Deeside Road).
Braemer Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5UX
+44 (0)13397 55 443
Visit websiteLocated in fashionable Royal Deeside, Darroch Learg boasts a wonderful vantage point above Ballater, on the slopes of Craigendarroch, the rocky 'Hill of Oaks' which creates such a fine backdrop to the village. The house was built in 1888 as a country residence; it still retains the ambience and relaxing informality which makes you feel like a house guest in a private mansion.
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Ballater
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Braemar Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5RQ
+44 (0)13397 55 420
Visit websiteA traditional, family run Victorian Hotel in the picturesque village of Ballater, Royal Deeside. A relaxed and comfortable 'home from home' with 10 individual bedrooms and excellent Scottish cuisine.
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Ballater
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Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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