From
£363
Per Person
Golfer Favourite
1 Night, 2 Rounds
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Sandman Signature
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen is one of Scotland's proper heavyweights, a classic links that many golfers put right up there with the very best. Founded in 1780 as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, it's recognised as one of the earliest golf clubs ever created, sitting around 6th to 8th on most historical lists depending on the records used.
What you get on the ground is traditional links golf in the purest sense. Expect firm, springy turf, sea air in the lungs and the kind of wind that can make you feel like you've hit two extra clubs, or two fewer. It's a strategic test rather than a "bash it and find it" course, with well-placed bunkering and plenty of holes that ask you to shape the ball and keep it under control. The routing has that classic out-and-back feel, with dunes framing the fairways and pot bunkers sitting exactly where you don't want them when the wind swirls.
Royal Aberdeen's tournament history is a big part of the story too, especially in amateur golf, with Scottish and international championships hosted here over the years. More recently this classic links layout staged the Senior Open Championship, where Tom Watson, one of the all-time great links players, took the title. It's also welcomed the Scottish Open, won by Justin Rose. In other words, it's the real deal, and it doesn't flatter you when the wind gets up.
If you're planning a trip, this corner of the north-east is packed with quality. You're within easy reach of Cruden Bay and Trump International Golf Links, which means you can put together a brilliant three-course links run without spending half your holiday in the car. All three regularly feature in Top 100 rankings, so you're ticking off serious bucket-list golf in a very compact area.
Who is this for?
Golfers seeking an authentic Scottish links experience on a course steeped in history, with the opportunity to play multiple world-class layouts in a single trip. Ideal for groups, societies and individuals who want to tick off championship venues that have tested the game's best players.
Who is it best for?
Golfers who enjoy a proper links test, especially if you're comfortable flighting the ball in the wind and taking your medicine when you miss the fairway. Confident mid-handicappers will love it, and low-handicappers will relish it. Also suits golf historians and purists who appreciate playing one of the oldest clubs in the world, where the game's heritage is woven into every hole.
Top Offers
From
£363
Per Person
1 Night, 2 Rounds
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Sandman Signature
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
From
£380
Per Person
1 Night, 2 Rounds
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Malmaison Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
From
£392
Per Person
1 Night, 2 Rounds
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast at The Chester Hotel
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
From
£552
Per Person
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
- 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast at Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
- 1 Round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
From
£595
Per Person
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
- 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast at Sandman Signature
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
- 1 Round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
From
£650
Per Person
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
- 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast at Malmaison Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
- 1 Round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
From
£653
Per Person
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
- 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast at The Chester Hotel
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
- 1 Round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
From
£1193
Per Person
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
- 3 Nights Bed and Breakfast at The Chester Hotel
- 1 Round at Balgownie Links, Royal Aberdeen
- 1 Round at Murcar Links Golf Club
- 1 Round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
- 1 Round at Trump International Golf Links Old Course
Golf Courses at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Balgownie Links
The championship Balgownie Links is an established tournament host, running out and back along the North Sea coastline. This is raw links golf, where golfers can expect no protection from the elements. The course has played host to the Scottish Boys Championship on numerous occasions, and its proximity to Aberdeen city centre makes it even more attractive.
The course was originally designed by Robert and Archie Simpson, two brothers from Carnoustie, but has since been tinkered with by James Braid, and is now under constant revision by Donald Steel's design company.
Without doubt, this is one of the finest in Scotland's north. Beware on your approach to the signature hole, the 8th - the hole is protected by 10 bunkers!
Royal Aberdeen is ranked as one of the best courses in Scotland and is a must play for enthusiasts of Royal golf.
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson, James Braid |
| Opened for play | 1780 |
| Blue | 6,922 yards | SSS 74 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,537 yards | SSS 73 |
| Yellow | 6,253 yards | SSS 71 |
| Red | 6,034 yards | SSS 75 |
| Green | 5,199 yards | SSS 71 |
The Scottish Open
In 2014 the world's best golfers headed up to the stunning links layout at Royal Aberdeen for The Scottish Open. Justin Rose claimed the title with a 4 round -16 total including rounds of 69, 68, 66 and 65. Rose's 2-shot victory was over a stellar field including major winners, Shane Lowry, Phil Mickelson, Danny Willett, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy started fast at Royal Aberdeen with an opening round of 64 which still stands today as the course record.
The Senior Open
2005 saw some of the game's greats enjoy tournament golf on the Blairgownie Links at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. The Senior Open Championship welcomed the likes of Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Craig Stadler, Loren Robers and Sam Torrance to do battle on the par-71 layout. Despite opening with a round of 75, Tom Watson was able to recover with a very strong weekend of 64 and 70 to finish tied with Ireland's Des Smyth on -4, holding off Greg Norman who finished just 1 shot further back on -3. Watson's victory at Royal Aberdeen was his 2nd Senior Open Championship, both won by playoffs, of what would become 3 in total to add to his 5 Open Championships.
The Walker Cup
One of the pinnacle events in amateur golf is The Walker Cup, 2011 saw Royal Aberdeen host the very best in UK & Ireland against the USA. The USA team featured many household names including Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Uihlein and Patrick Rodgers, The UK & Ireland team were able to boast a number of talented golfers who went onto make their mark on the professional game including Steven Brown, Tom Lewis and Andy Sullivan. With such a talented crop of golfers on who, it is easy to see why the match was so close. The match finished 14 - 12 to UK & Ireland with The USA closing fast in the afternoon singles, just coming up shy after staging a strong fightback, winning 6.5 points.
Silverburn Course
The second course at Royal Aberdeen is a shorter 18-hole layout that comes in at just over 4,000 yards, Silverburn is perfect for practice.
Part of an area where golf has true ancient antiquity, the Silverburn Course gives golfers different look at links golf with the maintenance and service one would expect from Royal Aberdeen.
| Par | 64 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | James Braid |
| Opened for play | 1886 |
| White | 4,021 yards | SSS 61 |
|---|
How to get to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is situated 2 miles north of Aberdeen off the A92, just 7 miles east of Aberdeen airport.
Address: Links Road, Bridge Of Don , Aberdeen , Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB23 8AT
What Our Golfers Say
9.0
Excellent
13 reviews
Condition overall
9.2
Condition of greens
9.6
Speed of round
About right
Value for money
7.6
Facilities
8.8
Difficulty
Hard
These reviews are from verified Your Golf Travel customers.
Dan
✓11 May 2026
Very Good
8.0
A very windy day made this a very tough test. Particularly the back nine which was dead into the wind. A must play if in the area. A wonderful traditional links test, very welcoming staff and a great bar
Matt
✓30 Sep 2025
Excellent
10.0
Incredible course with amazing history and scenery. Hospitality and welcome incredible and all interactions with their team from caddies to bar staff was exceptional. Would play here every trip.
Ian
✓11 Aug 2025
Excellent
10.0
Barry
✓10 Jun 2024
Very Good
8.0
Kelly
✓9 Nov 2023
Excellent
10.0
A great challenge on a very good course (very punitive rough).
Rob
✓18 Oct 2023
Excellent
10.0
10/10 nothing else to say
Pelle
✓13 Jul 2023
Excellent
10.0
I really like this course and found it this time less frightening than before
Gerd
✓8 Jul 2023
Excellent
10.0
Jandre
✓6 Jun 2023
Very Good
8.0
All the rave on this course is about the front 9, and it is easy to see why. This is either one of the greatest stretches in all of golf, or it can be nightmare fuel. The course weaves seamlessly through the sand dunes, however the fairways are very tight, and if you miss them you will be left with a very difficult recovery shot out of a very difficult stance. The back 9 is played on top of the dunes and is much flatter. This will be more enjoyable for the average golfer. This is a course that golfers under a 18 handicap will enjoy, but golfers over an 18 handicap may struggle. Especially on the front 9. However it is a super course and worth the visit in my opinion.
Rob
✓17 Aug 2022
Excellent
10.0
Showing 10 of 13 reviews
