Play the Best Golf in Aberdeen - Scotland Golf Travel Guide
Aberdeen is best known for its industrial heart, catering to the oil and gas industry of Scotland's North Sea. The granite stones of Aberdeen are dour in the winter and sparkle in the summer.
The golf is overshadowed by St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns further south and closer to Edinburgh. East Lothian is anchored by North Berwick and Muirfield and a plethora of fine courses most Scots haven't even heard of. Ayrshire, with Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry, seem to be visited next. For the adventurous, Inverness with Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart is the next outpost. If you've gotten that far, Arran and Machrishanish get a look. Aberdeen has been underrated and overlooked for far too long...
The Foundation of an Aberdeen Golf Trip
The big four are Royal Aberdeen, Trump International Golf Links Old and New, and Cruden Bay. All big 3 are fixtures in the World Top 100 - the jury is out on the New Course at Trump International Scotland. Wherever that lands, it will be a very compelling 36-hole venue with very contrasting courses.
Trump International Golf Links - Old
Trump International Golf Links Scotland Old is one of the very best links in the world. With the offering of practice facilities, on-site accommodation, and food and beverage options, you cannot go wrong with the course. My preference is the front nine, but the back nine is an education in routing. This can play as hard as you wish, with 5 tees on each hole, the wind can affect play immensely.
Photo Courtesy Gary Lisbon
Trump International Golf Links - New
Already billed as the greatest 36-hole venue in the world, it will have a shot, but it won't be easy. The course contrasts with the Old in almost every way. Laid out over links, heathland and wetlands, it is unique. We cannot wait to be back to see it fully grown in.
Cruden Bay
One of the world's best, Cruden Bay is cut from the same cloth as North Berwick. If you love one, you will love the other. You cannot come to Aberdeen without a visit. The combination of Old Tom Morris and Tom Simpson is tough to beat...
Photo Courtesy Gary Lisbon
Royal Aberdeen
The oldest and most storied club in the area, Royal Aberdeen is fighting coastal erosion and the course seems to be altered to combat the changes after each storm. The front nine is one of the very best in the world - another must-see, hurry before it's too late.
Photo Courtesy Gary Lisbon
Aberdeen Golf Travel B Sides
Murcar Links Golf Club
Sneaky good golf, this is only getting better with gorse being removed and cut back. Renowned as being tough as nails, the club has turned the corner and proper presentation and maintenance have made a massive difference. There are blind holes that won't be to everyone's taste, but you're in Scotland to see and experience something different. If you can't access Royal Aberdeen or the green fee is too much, Murcar Links Golf Club gives you a close experience with the majority of holes on the front nine playing the exact same dunes as Royal Aberdeen's famous front nine.
Photo Courtesy Gary Lisbon
Fraserburgh Golf Club
Fraserburgh is about an hour north of Aberdeen. It is a fun links that has a very good stretch of holes on the back nine. The opening and closing holes are on some of the flattest ground I've ever seen on links, and a few holes that follow give one Gullane 1 vibes, playing up and over a massive dune. The front nine will underwhelm, but the middle stretch is very good golf.
Photo Courtesy Jasper Miners
Peterhead Golf Club
Peterhead Golf Club has a very unique entrance to the club... after parking by a children's playground, you walk across a bridge to access the clubhouse and first tee. The first 3 holes are quite pedestrian, but it really ramps up with the 7th. The runs from 8 to 10 and 15 to 17 are stunners. Peterhead is sneaky good, and if you can overlook the start, the holes mentioned previously can compete with many of the holes of the big four above.
Photo - Contact for Credit
The Sleepers
Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club
Newburgh-on-Ythan is a hidden gem in every sense of the word... located north of Trump, the golf course is on the flatter links land adjacent to the sand dunes. Gorse is still aplenty but work is being done. The clubhouse is new (from 2001) and more is being spent on the course. We think this will become a course you'll be hearing more about soon... it's relatively new, opening the current 18-hole course in 1996.
Stonehaven Golf Club
The site is stunning and similar to North Foreland but on steroids. Stonehaven has some spectacular high cliff holes make it one to remember. If you get the others done and you're still local, it's worth a look. If you're driving to Edinburgh, there are better courses along the route...
Getting to Aberdeen
Aberdeen Airport is connected by frequent flights to the rest of the UK and most hubs in Continental Europe. If you're coming to the UK from Canada or the USA, you'll probably have to fly into London or Edinburgh then fly, drive or take the train.
Train service is very good with links to Edinburgh and London. Stress-free, the trains allow you to relax and take in the scenery.
Unlike other destinations, the road network to Aberdeen is quite good from Edinburgh. The M90 and A90 are good roads that make the journey as good as it can be. You'll need a vehicle to get around once you're in Aberdeen, as it is still a small city without a lot of options for public transport. The drive is not as inspired as the Highlands but it's not a slog, which is probably more important if you're just covering miles.
Food Options in Aberdeen & Beyond
If you've travelled in Scotland, you'll know the score. Many restaurants (especially in the low season) are not open or are closed a few days a week. If you arrive without booking or checking, you might be out of luck and go to bed hungry.
Most clubs will have the very basics, but don't expect too much. If you like your food brown and crispy, you will be well looked after. We were perhaps being harsh, but this is not the land of slow-cooked beef brisket and fish tacos at the turn. If you think food is limited at the course, be advised that most small villages don't have supermarkets and some don't have corner shops... Plan ahead.
Accommodation
For stay-and-play options, The Dunes at Cruden Bay is perfect, especially if you like to self-cater. If you want the full-service, 5-star treatment, Trump will be your best bet.
Remember, the drink-drive laws in Scotland are strict - virtually zero tolerance. If you're tying one on or having more than a small glass of wine with dinner, taxi's and transit will add up... if you can find them at all.