|
 |
 |
Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie), Scotland |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Balgownie Links
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8AT
Scotland |  | Robert and Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, J.H Taylor, James Braid, Donald Steel |  | Ronnie MacAskill |
|
 | +44 (0) 1224 702571 |  | On A92 N of Aberdeen City Centre |
 |
Golf Club Website
|
 | Contact in advance – restricted at weekends |  | Sandra Nicholson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was originally known as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, founded in 1780, this is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. They originally played over a public strip of common land between the Don and the Dee. In 1815 the society changed its name to the Aberdeen Golf Club. The common land was becoming over-crowded, so in 1886 they moved to their present home, the Balgownie links, north of the river Don. Royal title was finally applied in 1903, despite the fact that Prince Leopold granted patronage more than 30 years earlier.
A trio of Simpsons had a hand in fashioning this course, brothers Robert and Archie and then the flamboyant Tom Simpson. J. H. Taylor, James Braid and most recently Donald Steel also made revisions.
Royal Aberdeen is a traditional out and back links running along the shore of the North Sea and is regarded by many as having the finest first nine holes in golf. The first tee is under the clubhouse window and the fairway heads straight for the sea. The next eight holes run parallel to the shore, weaving their way through towering sand dunes. You then turn back, heading for the clubhouse. The back nine holes play on higher ground and provide stunning North Sea views.
While the front nine holes are undoubtedly excellent, the back nine holes are probably harder. They are more exposed to the elements, and consequently, bear the full brunt of the wind. The par threes here at Balgownie are also first class as is the finishing hole, a brutal par four, in excess of 400 yards. A good tee shot will finish in a hollow in the fairway, leaving a long second shot across a swale to an elevated green perched in front of the clubhouse.
The 2005 Senior British Open was held at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. Tom Watson beat Ireland's Des Smyth in a sudden death play-off to claim the title.
| David Raby, a visitor to the Top 100 website, reckons that one of the best 18 holes in links golf is the front nine at Royal Aberdeen followed by holes 2-10 at Murcar Links Golf Club. | This is an excellent traditional links course, so remember to take your jacket and tie if you want to use the lounge or the dining room. Make sure you haven’t spent too much time looking for your ball in the rough though; the five-minute rule was made here back in 1783. | |
|
| |
If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
|
|
|
|
|
 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | I am a guy who leaves the tastiest part of the dish for the last. Well, this happened with my trip to Scotland although I didn't choose it that way, as was invited by Ronnie Macaskill when I was already in Inverness. And yes, I have to say that the fron 9 at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club are the best holes in links course I have played and really wish to play them many more times. That day I played 7am Castle Stuart alone and received the invite just when I finished playing and was about to drive to Royal Dornoch, so I radically changed my plans. I took the 100 miles dirve and arrived to the course around 1pm for an interview with Ronnie and lunch,  shot my first shot at 2pm with at least 40km/h of wind across from left to right in hole number 1, hitting a great driver that ended far away in the right rough. As my friend Iain Marr told me a couple of days before, the first 9 at Aberdeen are ridiculously good and he was right!! Those 9 holes are the finest, toughest and more fair test in golf I have ever played, even over Cypress Point, Pebble, Carnoustie, St Andrews, Ailsa, Valderrama, Winged Foot, National Links of America and Royal Dornoch, they are brutal and at the same time nice, well kept (very tight fairways and real fast true greens) and with a very creative design taking into account the piece of land helps a lot. On those first 9 I hit 4 GIR, 2 of them with the spoon in a par 3 and in a par 4! I have to say par 3 3rd, par 4 4th, and par 4 9th are so difficult that if missing you can post astronomic numbers in the scorecard. Then the back 9 are not as breathtaking as the front 9 but many holes are really nice and the last three combine beauty, design and landscape towards the sea giving your golf round one of the finest finals that you can play. Then a long visit to the Club House where you can find a lot of stuff that remind you of the big history of this Golf CLub: the old days, the first tournaments, the Past Presidents and Captains Boards, the old trophys, a picture of member Richie Ramsay who won the US Amateur and a replica of that Trophy. And also a picture of the final hole during the 2011 Walker Cup won by GB&I: I can't imagine the set up of the course might have been for that event, I would love to see the movie and how they managed to get throught this fantastic golf challenge. My final words are: you cannot feel done as a golfer before playing Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. And you can combine it with Trump International and Cruden Bay which are very close to this one. |
|
|
| 17 July 2012
|
Reply
|
| | I played on a rather cold, windy Spring day in 2012, with intermittent rain. The greens had been sanded rather heavily the day before (?) and therefore did not allow for normal putting conditions. Having said this, the course is certainly a classic, must-play layout, with one strong hole after another. Nice variety and no holes that I recall as being weak. Bunkering is excellent and provides the expected difficult risk-reward decisions on approach shots and off the tee. The course played a bit long due to the weather, and scoring conditions are no doubt somewhat better under dryer and warmer weather conditions. This provides a perfect excuse for a return engagement, as does the excellent hospitality provided by the pro shop and clubhouse! An easy drive on the close outskirts north of Aberdeen. |
|
|
| 16 April 2012
|
Reply
|
| | We played this course yesterday afternoon, and whilst there were no 'stand out' holes, the layout was solid with no weak holes whatsoever. The initial tough start (inc. 235 yard par 3), rarely gets easier, but it remains completely enjoyable. The greens were phenomenal (obviously due to the Wlaker Cup being played here 2 weeks ago), however the green staff really need a pat on the back. Overall, a great days golf, and the greens are the best i've played on all year. |
|
|
| 24 September 2011
|
Reply
|
| | All the reviews praising this course is true. I have played it ten times and a weekend combining this course and Cruden Bay is marvellous. Royal Aberdeen is on my top 3 list world wide and will stay there ! |
|
|
| 12 June 2011
|
Reply
|
| | I was playing a few east coast links courses over a 2 week period.Royal Aberdeen is a course in a fantastic setting and is a great test for the inter mediate golfer like myself. Had a great time at Royal Aberdeen and will play the course everytime I visit the area. Stonehaven is a smaller course near here and I thought it was excellent wee course.Montrose was poor and will give this a miss in future. Carnoustie is as usual one of the best. Downfield, not links but still a good course in a fine setting. |
|
|
| 12 February 2011
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Dave | 14 February 2011 | | Totally agree. I have played this course many times over the past 5 years and it just gets better and better. The summer condition is outstanding and it also offers very good playing conditions in the winter months. They have the Walker Cup this year in September and i am sure it will blow the yanks away with its stunning natural beauty at that time of year. Played last week and they are sanding fairways and approaches already to further improve the playing conditions. Brilliant | | | dan | 13 March 2011 | | I may be pedantic here, but I have to wonder what course would get a six balls review ? I can't think of a course that better deserves the Full Monty rating, easily the most exciting front nine I have played. |
| | I have been very lucky to have played over 90 (and counting) of the top 100 courses in the Scottish chart and I rate Royal Aberdeen Balgownie in my top 5. I played Balgownie and Carnoustie on the same day so comparisons were inevitable and contrary to chart positions I preferred the former and, if truth be told, by a considerable mar gin. The front 9 is quite simply, in my opinion the best outward 9 in the land. Tight drives to rambling and rolling fairways, immaculate putting surfaces, and bunkers aplenty with danger never far away, it just takes your breath away. The inward half is beast to the front 9's beauty and into the prevailing wind it is as stern a test of golf as you will ever get. I am not ashamed to say that it left me a broken man with a wedgey thrown in for good measure, almost causing me to weep (well it had been a long day and I am just about to qualify for the pipe and slippers tour so cut me some slack!). Starting with the carry into the wind at the 10th to your last putt on 18 it just doesn’t let up (although I didn’t like the 17th but I am being picky). I always feel that if a course leaves a lasting impression on you even though you have played badly then it must have something about it and believe me Balgownie has something about it and then some! So hats off to Royal Aberdeen, my favourite Scottish course of the year by a country mile (The European at Co Wicklow being my overall favourite) and in my opinion better than half of the top ten in our chart. I must have written over 200 words here (mostly drivel as usual) but I could have easily cut it down to a single word, AWESOME!!!!!! MPPJ |
|
|
| 21 September 2010
|
Reply
|
| | Previous reviewers have done a great job of describing the quality and challenge of the Balgownie Links so I would like to focus on one issue - why on earth isn't it on the Open rota? I've never made it across the border yet (not with my clubs, anyway) but I've played Muirfield, Turnberry, Carnoustie and The Old Course and for me the Balgownie course at RAGC is better than all of them. Each of the courses listed are in my top 10 or 12 but having played Balgownie yesterday it immediately joins Royal Dornoch at the very top of my personal hit parade. The reason is simple - quality hole, after quality hole, after quality hole. From the first tee to the final green there is nothing but unremitting quality here, and I don't feel you can say that about those other great courses.The greatest service I can do my fellow contributors is to tell them about RAGC's open competition that I played in yesterday. Applications open on the RAGC website around March and you have to get your application and cheque (£35 yesterday) in quickly - good luck. If that doesn't work you'll have to do it the more expensive way but if links golf is in your blood then you will have to do it! Finally, my opening questioning wasn't rhetorical - can someone please explain why the Open doesn't come to RAGC? Cheers! Derek, Edinburgh, September 2010. |
|
|
| 20 September 2010
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Anthony Daniels | 21 September 2010 | | Derek, I've not played RAGC, but I'd guess that the main reason why it is not considered for the Open rota is because it's not long enough. Looking at the card of the course I'd say it's probably 300+ yards short of what would be required. I don't whether they have the space to lengthen it if necessary and, if so, would that mean the R&A would consider it? I think a new course being added to the rota would be fantastic though and would really generate a lot of interest in both the Open and the course. | | | Derek | 27 September 2010 | | Anthony, thank you for your response. You may well be right with your explanation but for RAGC never to host the Open due to a lack of yardage would be a real shame. They could really pull in the rough and take the driver out of the game -that would add on some notional yards and brass-off the players! It has occurred to me the reason may be more to do with economics than anything else ie the Carnoustie opens are relatively unsuccessful from an attendance point of view. The R and A may fear worse at RAGC.We may never watch the Open there but i hope you get a chance to play RAGC some day. | | | Anthony Daniels | 01 May 2011 | | Derek, I am just planning my visit to RAGC now. A bit of a tour of Scotland next May incorporating Turnberry (already booked), Carnoustie (already booked) and two or three others incorporating RAGC along the way. Looking forward to it already. |
| | Most people will already know that Royal Aberdeen is a must play, - but incase you dont, read on.
For lovers of links golf there can be few greater courses. I rate is as the best course in Scotland (or Britain for that matter) not to have held an Open championship (it has of course staged the Senior Open championship). I believe it pips Royal Dornoch to this title. The course starts with an intimidating but visually epic tee shot. It is a great hole hitting from just infront of the clubhouse windows, downhill and out towards the sea. The shot into the green requires a club extra to avoid the deep valley in front of the green. This green is as close as you get to the sea and you really feel the presence of it as you attempt to putt on this wonderfully contoured green. Then starts what is commonly regarded as the best front 9 in links golf. You go out through the dunes from eleveted tees through narrow fairways and wonderful green complexes. I use the word complexes because each green is a piece of art in itself, wonderfully contoured and very fast and true running. The ability to hit to the 'right part of the green' is definitely a requirement here or 3 putts will be the result.
When the front 9 climaxes with holes 8 & 9 you very well might think you are in golfing heaven. The 8th is a fantastic par 3 with severe bunkering making it the hardest (although by some way the shortest) par 3 on the course. The 9th may very well be the best hole on the course - a long sweeping par 4, uphill and the neaer to the hole green you aim from the tee, the further your carry has to be to get to the fairway. Unfortunately the 10th is the only bad hole on the course, although it does become a good hole once the ugly blind tee shot is out of the way. Then commences a back 9 which is diffferent in feel to the front 9 but containing no less quality. Brutally long and with relentlessly difficult greens, it eases up a bit for 15 and 16 before the great finishing holes.
The 17th par 3 back towards the sea is a longer version of the signature 8th and then the last is a 450yard monster of a par 4 which you can see all in front of you and is a deservingly quality hole to finish the round. In conclusion, a real tough test of golf through length, superb bankering and green complexes the likes of which the pro's have to deal with on tour. The condition is always excellent first class and if you are like me in that you appreciate traditional links more then the recently created ones of Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart (which are excellent courses in their own way), then you may agree that Royal Aberdeen is only bettered by Carnoustie, and even that is a VERY close call. |
|
|
| 20 September 2010
|
Reply
|
| | Wonderful classic links. Played it on a beautiful links kind of day, sunshine and a gentle breeze. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience from the warm welcome in the pro shop to the jovial steward later in the day. You must respect these old traditional clubs and their old style values such as jacket t& tie in certain parts of the clubhouse; I do and always look forward to visiting next time. The course itself is one of the best. For Tom Watson to speak so well of the place is testimony to that. Great first hole, but nearly all of the holes are. Front 9 gets great reviews, it is one of the best and possibly up their with Royal County Down, all be it does not quite have the back drop of the Mountains like RCD. While Scotland is blessed with top courses and destinations I would take a closer look at Aberdeen. Play Royal Aberdeen along with Murcar & Cruden Bay, in my opinion and having ticked off many of the high-ranking courses as good as 3 courses you get so close together. |
|
|
| 02 September 2010
|
Reply
|
| | We were playing this week at Royal Aberdeen and we found the course in really exceptional good condition. Narrow fairways, fast greens, very good design. Very nice views from the first tee. It´s a real links experience!! Royal Aberdeen should be in the Top 5 of UK. |
|
|
| 26 August 2010
|
Reply
|
| American author James Finegan describes the outward half of the Royal Aberdeen course thus: “We play this front nine at Balgownie in seclusion. We also play it in awe and something close to rapture. Every hole is an unalloyed delight.”
 I don’t use the quote out of laziness on my part to come up with something original - I just cannot find a better way to describe the feeling when playing the opening nine holes that run along the shoreline; complete and utter golfing nirvana. Such is the strength and quality of holes here, I thought the par four 7th was the only hole to give any degree of respite - a very brief breather - until the tee box of the par five 12th was reached. It was just unrelenting; magnificent links golf, with hardly time to pause for breath after putting out before tackling the next hole. I reached the turn with my playing partner in two hours and it felt like we’d been playing 30 minutes max.
The only down side to playing between the dunes ridges on the way out is that the inward half, by comparison, can never live up to what has gone before as the fairways occupy less aesthetically pleasing higher ground on the way back to the clubhouse. Don’t for a minute think that the back nine is in any way prosaic however, far from it. The 10th is as tough as old boots; played into the prevailing wind with an uphill blind drive - OOB on the right - and approach to a green perched above a wee burn that runs through a gully in front of the putting surface. Stroke index 8 on the scorecard gives an indication of the test still to come (“what, there’s three more difficult holes yet to play?”) so you better have made your score on the way out as pars and birdies will be few and far between from the 10th onwards. Forced carries intimidate the tee shot at many of the holes here, as do the fearsome looking fairway and greenside bunkers, enforcing my firmly held belief that most of the top courses can subtly psyche out anyone who is not up for a tough mental four hour test when they stand on the 1st tee.
Aberdeen has gorse, rough and severe sand traps aplenty so for all its beauty on the front nine, it can be a beast on the back nine so be prepared for what lies in store! In the clubhouse, the walls on the way to the gents locker room are well worth examining to see the James Braid original hand written drawings of recommended changes to the course in the 1920’s. And one of the two members who played behind us popped into the visitors changing room when our round was over to ask how our game had gone so no signs of an uncaring membership towards us - and the dozen or so American visitors in the bar seemed more than pleased with the hospitality rendered on their day out too. Not many courses in the UK or Ireland (around a dozen) have staged the prestigious Walker Cup since it began back in 1922. Aberdeen will join that exclusive roster in 2011 and if you check out the identity of the other courses it will share that honour with, you will see why it deserves to be comfortably ranked within the top 25 courses of GB & I. Jim McCann |
|
|
| 17 June 2010
|
Reply
|
| | Wonderful course. Played a couple of rounds in wind and increasingly- heavy rain, but even without these I reckon it's one of the toughest links around. The first is relatively straightforward, but the lovely second reminds you that accuracy is everything, its slim fairway snaking through the dunes: a few feet off and you're lucky if you find your ball. Quite a lot of the front 9 makes the same demands...really excellent holes. Although turning into the wind toughens up the back nine, there are one or two more generous fairways: that said you'd need a couple of very good hits to reach the 18th green with much more than a gentle breeze against. And as for the greens, just outstanding...can't remember any better. Very friendly pro and bar staff...altogether great way to spend a day. Not cheap, mind, so perhaps worth including next-door (and very good) Murcar on any tour. |
|
|
| 15 October 2009
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Mike | 02 January 2010 | | Agree with all previous comments about this course. This place is awesome from the traditional clubhouse to the very friendly staff in the clubhouse and pro shop. Once you get onto the golf course you cant help but be impressed. The course is in magnificant condition from 1st tee to 18th green. I played it in late October 09 on a sunny calm day. The links terrain is something else and offers a different challenge on every hole. The condition of the course was amazing for this time of year and the greens were as good as anything i played on all summer. I have played a lot of links courses this year including some of the open venues and this stands beside all of them. The Walker Cup in 2011 will be the icing on the cake for this superb golf course. |
| | | Played this amazing course two days ago in a nice wind. From the warm greeting right down to the gorgeous clubhouse everything about this experience is superb with one minor exception which I'll mention at the end. The course was in the best shape of all the courses we played with the greens being simply superb. On a windy day like we had, probably 2-3 club wind there is one daunting tee shot after another from the backs on the front 9. Bring lots of balls because if you get out position on this course punishment is severe. This might give an idea as to it's difficulty in the wind, during their 4 round club stroke play championships this year the winner a + 4 handicap ended 3 over par, the closest runner up was 37 shots behind and half of the field was scratch or better with the worst handicap being a 2 (that's an average score of 81 per round). My advice, bring your A game, order a senior caddy and go out expecting to appreciate what an amazing course and tough challenge it is. - Last tip: Avoid the hamburger (which they claim is great) at all costs - taste like Haggis...one of the most frightening experiences of my life. So bring a pack lunch or play it safe and have fish and chips. |
|
|
| 18 September 2009
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | John | 23 September 2009 | | I must apologise for what you actually received was not a Steak Burger as advertised but indeed was one of the Spicy Beef Mince Burgers that The Clubhouse Manager had made for himself that night. I could not understand where the said burger went and this now answers the question. I am sorry that you did not like my creation but taste my Bellhaven as it is the best around! Will stick to making the Thai Curry next time.
John |
| | | Superb golf here, a true out and back, and the outward nine are amazing - from the 2nd onwards it kept getting more and more unbelievably spectacular and fun. Almost an overdose of elevated tees giving the driver a whack into stunning dune valley fairways. Back nine has to be a tiny bit of an anti-climax, but still great holes and a superb finish. We found the members friendly (were led to the airport and waved off by a member we met in the club house), and didn't need jacket and tie in the bar. Stunning barmaid too ! Half price before Easter on a full course with great greens, just tremendous. The best collection of reviews I have seen on the site, and fully deserved. |
|
|
| 11 June 2009
|
Reply
|
| | The final course in a trip comprising Royal Dornoch and Nairn , Royal Aberdeen was not embarrassed. We played it on a calm, pleasent march morning and the course was in fantastic condition. The opening 9 played in the dunes, with fairways raising and falling naturally, were breathtaking. As the breeze got up so did the difficulty but only served to emphasise the strength of the layout. The course and clubhouse ouze class and will be a deserving venue for the Walker cup. |
|
|
| 01 April 2009
|
Reply
|
| | Played this course in the summer and have just been back for more it is superb. I wish i was a member of this club as it presents a different challenge every time you tee it up. Mats are being used on fairways at the moment but that takes nothing away from a true golfing challenge. A lot of work is being done on the bunkers at the moment which look fantastic with the layers of revetted turf beautifly crafted. Cant wait to be back |
|
|
| 18 January 2009
|
Reply
|
| | It was to pleasure to play the course. But prepare for tough 18 holes from the back tees. One of the best links courses in Great Britain or Ireland. Well worth the money! |
|
|
| 25 August 2008
|
Reply
|
| | My brother and I played this course in Sept. of 2006 in a constant rain. It was our 2nd 18 of the day. It well may have been one of the best rounds of golf I have ever played, especially under the conditions. We were hurt by the rain in a way I would never have thought, my stoke-saver was completed soaked and useless after 6 or 7 holes. I lost a couple strokes due to not knowing the course and being unsure of where to hit the ball on a couple blind shots. But that in no way took anything away from my enjoyment of this course. I hope to come back and play again without the rain. You will not be disappointed. It is a very challenging course, I can't really complain about any thing with the course. |
|
|
| 13 August 2008
|
Reply
|
| | Played 36 holes in late July. One of the great courses in Scotland. While the front is more visually stunning than the back, the back has many very good holes. A great test of golf and a must play. Do not miss this course!!! |
|
|
| 21 July 2008
|
Reply
|
| | Elegant, charming, tough but fair. The type of course you could enjoy every day of the week. The presentation is beautiful, you have the opportunity to play every type of shot. From one day to the next you could treat each hole in a different way making it a classic in terms of shot making and course strategy. It is in the top 5 Scottish Courses. |
|
|
| 09 June 2008
|
Reply
|
| | Fantastic is the only way to describe this place. The place oozes class. The layout is fearsome with narrow fairways that are tight cut and great to play from. The overall condition is superb. This course has hosted some big events in the past and will host the walker cup in 2011 which is what it deserves given its quality. This is a must play but is a course that is not talked off much but maybe thats better because it will always be a treat to play here at any time of the year. |
|
|
| 29 May 2008
|
Reply
|
| | All the previous comments hold true, a fearsome front nine through mountainous dunes, followed by the back nine running back to the clubhouse on top of a plateau. The front nine played into the wind when we played (I understand the back nine is usually into), any less than perfectly struck shots found either the dunes or bunkers. In normal wind conditions, ie. back nine into, this would make the course alot more playable and balanced. Overall an excellent and tough test of golf. Loved the Clubhouse and all of its history, and the view down the 1st hole tumbling down to the north sea. The staff and Members were extremely friendly and helpful, contrary we found to some previous comments. |
|
|
| 19 September 2007
|
Reply
|
| | Having joined this course as a student member in September last year I have been blown away by the quality of this course. The front 9 is simply outstanding - requiring a great mix of power, accuracy and finesse with almost every shot. Especially when into the wind, which seems to blow in every day, the longer back 9 can play far harder than the more lauded front 9 and offers a different challenge with flatter fairways but larger greens putting more of a premium on a top quality second shot. The par 3s are all excellent, with the short 8th not too dissimilar to the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon and the final hole on each of the 9's are both outstanding. All in all a great links course and one of the very toughest (expecially when you consider the USA slope rating of 141 is higher than most Open venues) with every shot presenting a unique and tricky problem. |
|
|
| 26 July 2007
|
Reply
|
| | How this course is rated below Nairn, or, even more shocking, below Cruden Bay just leaves me speechless! Royal Aberdeen is in such an obviously different class!! The front 9 is probably one of the best you will ever find with the par 5 2nd being the best hole of the course. The back 9 is maybe not as good but really only because the front 9 is too good a comparison! If only they could switch! The course and the clubhouse just ooze class. Only negative point was that we were not allowed to play from the back tees (same as Dornoch)... We felt very welcome nonetheless but like in other "old fashioned" clubs,you are allowed to play the course but not quite to get the "full" experience! Such is life... I would go back any minute! Cédric |
|
|
| 21 April 2007
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Kenny | 30 July 2007 | | The back tees are in play for anybody during the summer. The course is usually in it's best condition in late July/August/September so I suggest you come back a bit later in the year next time!! | | | Cedric | 19 September 2007 | | As I said Kenny, I would go back any time!!!!And I will definitely take your advice into consideration... |
| | | Watched the Sr British Open there a couple years back and the cut was 14 over par which shows you how difficult it can play in the wind. Front nine is great especially. When the rough get's thick in July/August it can get a bit unfair, I hit two of the best shots of my life and lost two balls. Very good but not in same league as Carnoustie, Turnberry, Kingsbarns, etc. Better than Cruden Bay and Murcar for sure. |
|
|
| 06 January 2007
|
Reply
|
| | Only calling the first nine great is a huge mistake. The second nine is not as dramatic nor visually hystrionic, but to date Royal Aberdeen has with Prestwick been the two courses far exceeding prior expectations in Scpotland for me. Simply brilliant stuff, start to finish. |
|
|
| 04 October 2006
|
Reply
|
| | This course goes straight into my top five. It is a beast of a course with all the trouble in front of you. Played off the whites and it beat me up good and proper. Better than the majority of Open Championship rota courses I've had the pleasure to play and the greens are fantastic. The stretch along the coast from the 2nd through to the 9th is tremendous and the back nine does not disappoint either. This course is a must play and if difficulty was king, would be a regular on the Open rota. |
|
|
| 21 September 2006
|
Reply
|
| | the front nine at aberdeen is best 9 holes i have played and the back nine isn't bad just isn't as good as the front, but played tougher into the wind, the 9th is the best par 4 in scotland, woth every penny! if they could cater to 40000 a day it would be a great open venue. |
|
|
| 15 September 2006
|
Reply
|
| | I think this course is ranked much to low. IT is a great links course in perfect condition with a great layout. Play this course, but prepare for a hard fight with the course, especially with wind. |
|
|
| 21 August 2006
|
Reply
|
| I ventured to Balgownie links' keen to see if Royal Aberdeen would live up to the rave reviews it has received in recent years. I need not have worried. Tom Watson was full of praise following the 2005 Seniors Open Championship and as a 5-time Open Champion, I think it is fair to say that he is a good judge of a good links! In this case he is a great judge of a great links and his views are totally justified with further confirmation of Royal Aberdeen's pedigree being the recent award of the 2010 Walker Cup matches. Simply, this course is worth every penny of the greenfee, which at £95 (on a weekend) is almost as steep as the vertical rivetted face of the bunker front-left of the 9th green!
A wonderful opening hole plays away towards the North Sea from the elevated clubhouse before the course sweeps northwards and weaves its way out through a narrow pass in the dunes. The perfect links turf and superb putting surfaces cannot be faulted and with a little wiggle around the 8th (a par 3 with a heavily bunkered long narrow green - not dissimilar to the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon) and 9th, the course then turns to return along a plateau heading back south towards home. A few blind shots, some truly superb par-3s and plenty of holes where strategy is more important than brute strength or length, this course is absolutely world-class.
You surely would never tire of playing at Balgownie and I write this despite being absolutely soaked to the skin in a torrential downpour around the turn. This course deserves every accolade it has received and more and is better than plenty of the Open Championship rota courses I have been lucky enough to have played. But don't take my word for it... go there... play it... enjoy it. It is worth it! |
|
|
| 10 July 2006
|
Reply
|
| | This course deserves it high ranking. I'm glad they held the senior British Open there this year and I hope they use some of the other classic links courses for the women's and senior opens. The first hole is a treat. You feel like you're going to hit the window of the dining room with your backswing, and the nervousness you feel knowing people are watching is similar to teeing off the first at St Andrews Old with a large crowd looking on. The first nine plays through some wonderful dunes. There are several memorable and interesting holes. The back nine is a little flatter, but the play back in may be a little more difficult than going out. Overall I found this to be a wonderful venue. The members were all gracious and cordial, as was the clubhouse staff. I would make every effort to take in Royal Aberdeen on a trip to the east coast of Scotland. |
|
|
| 20 November 2005
|
Reply
|
| | Played over a month ago (sorry for not posting sooner). I was expecting more somehow with such a great clubhouse (have a look at Braid's course notes on the wall) and a magic view of the first tee just outside the bay window, I was raring to go. Only down side was the members were very stuffy and the 3 lady members were clearly not going to let me thro'. The course does have some classic holes, the 1st, 8th, 17th + 18th stood out for me. Overall give it a go as it should not be missed. |
|
|
| 04 June 2005
|
Reply
|
| | Royal Aberdeen is a treat to play - all year round. In the summer the greens are about as good as you'll find in Scotland, and in the winter the course remains very playable.
The front 9 is amazing, and they have just opened 2 new greens chaning a couple of hole layouts on the back nine.
Real links how it should be played. |
|
|
| 28 April 2005
|
Reply
|
| | As tough as Carnoustie in the wind but more unfair. Too many blind shots and lost balls with great shots. Great layout especially the front nine. Members not very welcoming for outsiders. |
|
|
| 31 December 2004
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Emil Weber | 29 January 2009 | | Well if you don't like blind shots, you should probably keep off the greatest links courses. |
| | | Played in September 2002 at their Open. I parred the first and never came close to another for the rest of the round!!! The wind was in your face for the front nine and scoring was very difficult - this is a course for big boys, believe me! Tee shots with 150 yards of carry to fairways that you cannot see - it can be intimidating, at the very least, though I prefer to call it character building! Don't get me wrong, the front nine holes are tough, but I didn't come expecting a stroll in the dunes and neither should you when the wind is up. What surprised me about the back nine was the redevelopment work being done to extend holes, provide new greens and generally upgrade the course - no resting on laurels here. The gorse is severe and penal. You really must stay on the fairway and if you do you will love this stern test of golf. The clubhouse was not as crusty as expected. It oozes character and tradition - wonderful to sample. Oh, and if you like this course, check out the much underrated Murcar that abounds to the north. Its a great track that suffers because it is in the shadow of the Balgownie. And then there's always Cruden Bay just up the coast but that's for another time... Jim McCann |
|
|
| 23 December 2004
|
Reply
|
| | Balgownie is a jewel. Every hole provides a different test, from the tee shot at one with the members lounge close at hand, to the long iron or wood into the last. The 9th is top drawer requiring two of your best. We played the front into a good wind and were humbled. Under rated for sure. |
|
|
| 17 December 2004
|
Reply
|
| | Fantastic golf course. Criticism of back 9 unfair, best links course I have played for a couple of years and should be in the top 20. |
|
|
| 13 September 2004
|
Reply
|
| | Classic, ancient, historic, natural - a complete joy to play this old beauty. To have three excellent courses: Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Murcar so close together is sheer bliss. Don't be put off by the segregated clubhouses. |
|
|
| 13 July 2004
|
Reply
|
| | As you arrive here you can sense tradition, quality, grace but maybe a little of a lesser welcome than at close by Cruden Bay and Murcar. The course is tough and your concentration to needs to be constant all the way around. A lot of blind shots here and from very undulating fairways - good golf will be rewarded at Royal Aberdeen. Massive greens will give you plenty of putting practise. In summary, top quality links golf delivered in a very traditional way - not the same coastal views as at the two courses mentioned earlier but all in all, a visit to Royal Aberdeen should not be missed. |
|
|
| 07 July 2004
|
Reply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
