Links Road, Bridge of Don,
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB23 8AT
Office
+44 (0)1224 702 571Pro shop
+44 (0)1224 702 571Fax
+44 (0)1224 826 591Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David Ross (Head PGA Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Originally designed in 1888 by the Simpson Brothers (Archie & Robert) of Carnoustie. Later re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid. Donald Steel has made recent alterations.
Also at Royal Aberdeen is the 18-hole Silverburn Course (par-61; 4021 yds).
57.178281
-2.083829
2 miles N of Aberdeen
From the bridge over the River Don in the north of Aberdeen, follow the A90 north for 150 yards and turn right into Links Rd at the first set of traffic lights. After 100 yards turn left (still Links Rd). Clubhouse is 200 yards straight ahead.
Royal Aberdeen
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club (Balgownie Links): For several generations, the historic Balgownie Links at Royal Aberdeen has provided a demanding test for top-level professionals and amateurs alike. Here you'll find a classic links layout that goes out through the dunes and comes back along a plateau. Within the course's natural eco-system, rich turf and tight rolling fairways are a delight to behold, but at times intimidating to play.
The front-nine hugs the North Sea shoreline, and is played through an impressive area of sand dunes ... as challenging and satisfying a stretch of links golf holes as you'll ever play. Wonderful North Sea views from elevated tee-boxes, tightish fairways and uncompromising rough are here in abundance. Balgownie's legendary reputation is further enhanced by its superb greens, often nestling down and ringed by deep pot bunkers.
The back-nine is different in appearance and nature from the seaward holes, with less undulating terrain characterising the holes. On the inward stretch blind tee shots, hidden troughs and mercurial greens come to the fore. The concluding three holes form an excellent 4-3-4 finish, with the par-3 17th played to a long three-tiered green, and the good-length 18th a great example of disguised difficulty.
Visitors welcome at various times on weekdays, and after 3:30 pm on weekends.
Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: 24 (on Balgownie Links). Proof of handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Limited availability of caddies (must be booked in advance).
Good
As the world's sixth oldest golf club, it is no surprise to find that Royal Aberdeen is brimming with history and golfing firsts. The 5-minute rule for searching for a lost ball is attributed to Royal Aberdeen, and there are those who claim it as the first place that golf was ever played!
Edward VII conferred the Royal prefix on Aberdeen GC in 1903, based on the earlier patronage of the club in 1872 by Queen Victoria's fourth oldest son Prince Leopold. By royal prerogative, 10 Scottish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Aberdeen, Royal & Ancient (St Andrews), Burgess, Dornoch, Duff House, Montrose, Musselburgh, Perth, Tarlair and Troon.
Scotland's 16th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Britain & Ireland's 35th best course (Golf World, 2025).
World's 56th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen AB15 9YA.
+44 (0)1224 861 000
Visit websiteSet in its own picturesque grounds on the outskirts of the historic city of Aberdeen, The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa at Pitfodels is a five-star Scottish country hotel offering 40 luxury guest rooms and suites. Since its official opening in 1993 by Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, this luxury hotel has earned wide acclaim as an ideal base for exploring the many riches that North-east Scotland offers ... not least an excellent array of world-class coastal and inland golf courses that includes Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Trump Aberdeen. The hotel is a member of the coveted Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
No
Deeside; Royal Aberdeen (6 mi).
Murcar; Newmachar; Trump Intl; Newburgh-on-Ythan; Banchory; Meldrum House.
South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen AB12 5YP
+44 (0)1224 398 801
Visit websiteThe Ardoe House Hotel & Spa is set in a 19th century Scottish Baronial style mansion house, surrounded by 30 acres of tranquil countryside. This 4 star Aberdeen hotel is three miles outside the city centre, and has 119 traditionally decorated guest rooms. You can enjoy fine dining in Blairs Restaurant or a nightcap in Soapie's Lounge Bar. The spa has luxurious treatment rooms as well as an indoor heated pool and fitness room.
No
No
Royal Aberdeen; Murcar; Trump Intl; Newburgh; Banchory.
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
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
