Royal Aberdeen Golf Course
We get the best tee timesPTS Protected · ATOL for flightsSince 1981 · 4.9★ on GoogleA specialist replies promptly
About Royal Aberdeen Golf Course
Running along massive sand dunes, Royal Aberdeen Golf Course is gorgeous and a true links dating back well over 200 years. The Par of 74 is fair but not when the wind blows, then you’ll be hard-pressed to get a par on many of the holes – the par three’s in particular. But who cares about your score when golf is this much fun? Play Matchplay and go for it!
A classic links with nine holes going out and nine holes coming back. The ninth hole is probably one of the toughest par 4’s you will ever play. Depending on the wind, the back nine provides a great test of shot-making of which the par 3 17th requires an accurate tee shot just to keep the ball on the green. A great traditional links course.
- Traditional clubhouse with restaurant and bar with panoramic views of this stunning course.
- Buggies & trollies available
- Large car park with free parking
- Locker room facilities
- Large pro shop with an excellent range of clothing and equipment.
Our take
Two centuries of golf over the same massive dunes have settled what Royal Aberdeen is: a true links where the score matters far less than the fun of the fight.
- Serious golfersNine out and nine back through huge dunes, a Simpson design later sharpened by James Braid, and when the wind blows the par threes become woods and long irons. The 9th and the 13th are the holes you will replay in the bar.
- Higher handicapsThe walking is easier than the dunes suggest, barely 50 metres of climb all round, but the par threes into the wind will humble anyone. Forget the card, play matchplay and go for it.
- Buddy tripsMatchplay country. Nine holes out along the dunes and nine home into whatever the weather has become, with enough drama at the 9th and the 13th to swing any contest. A natural centrepiece for a Scottish links trip.
Tell us who’s coming and how you like to play, and we’ll shape the right trip around you.
What you are actually facing
The walk. Flat, and an easy walk — 52 metres of climb over the round.
The wind. The wind is usually southerly, averaging 15 km/h, gusting to 59. It is the club selection that catches people out, not the yardage.
The water. 3 hazards in play. Bring a few more balls than you think you need.
The design. Archie and Robert Simpson, later remodelled by James Braid.
The holes that will cost you. The 9th, the 13th and the 18th. The 9th is the one you will be talking about afterwards.
Hole by hole — how we would play it
Terrain and prevailing-weather data, read hole by hole. It is our own assessment of how the course plays, not an official course or slope rating.
The course at a glance
Hosted the 2005 Senior British Open (won by Tom Watson), the 2011 Walker Cup and the 2018 Amateur Championship
WHERE TO STAY
Places to stay while you play Royal Aberdeen Golf Course
Base yourself near the course — every venue here includes Royal Aberdeen Golf Course in your golf holiday.
Tap a hotel to open it, or zoom in on the satellite view to see how close each one sits to the first tee.