Located in the north east of Scotland, only three miles from Aberdeen city centre, and just under seven miles from Aberdeen International Airport, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. Royal Aberdeen is situated in The Bridge of Don, just over the river from the city, and the championship course, known as Balgownie Links is one of the truest links land courses in Scotland. With fantastic practice facilities, a second course known as Silverburn, and great hospitality on offer Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is an amazing venue to play golf in Scotland.
History: Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was founded in 1780. For the first thirty five years of its existence the club was known as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, with membership of the society being determined by ballot. In 1815, the society changed its name to the Aberdeen Golf Club and in 1903 the accolade of Royal favour was conferred on the club by His Majesty King Edward VII. However, the earliest mention of golf in Aberdeen comes much earlier, with a hole named 'The Queen's Hole' noted on the links land at Aberdeen, circa 1625. If this suggestion is true, Aberdeen could very well lay claim to being the birthplace of golf in Scotland. The five minute rule was first applied in Aberdeen. The rule limited players to a five minute search for a lost ball. A most sensible idea. The course was originally laid out by brothers Archie and Robert Simpson. In Royal Aberdeen Golf Club's more recent history, it has played host to The Amateur Championship in 2018, The Scottish Open in 2014, won by Justin Rose, The Walker Cup in 2011, and The Senior Open in 2005, won by Tom Watson.
Balgownie Course: Balgowine is considered to be one of the truest links land courses in Scotland. The course is played out through the dunes and back along a plateau, in classic links fashion. Balgownie is a course to test the best of golfers, and the variable conditions often encountered on this arduous links ensures that it's always a real challenge. Balgownie's opening nine holes rank amongst the very best in the world. The course offers great variety, wonderful ball striking opportunities from rich turf and it has tight rolling fairways, making it a delight to play. The Balgownie Course at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is an eighteen hole, par 68/70 or 71 (men), par 73/74 or 76 (women), track. It has tees ranging from 5,199 to 6,918 yards. Golf in Scotland. Golf at Royal Aberdeen.
SGB Signature Hole: Number: Hole 8. Measuring 133 yards (W) and 147 yards (M) from the tee, this testing par 3 is played towards the North Sea. A well struck tee shot to the left side of the green is the only option here. However, missing the green to the left only offers misery, with five bunkers running in series along its full flank. While a miss to the right of the green sees a cluster of five bunkers lying in wait. Royal Aberdeen's Director of Golf suggests a worthwhile strategy. 'My tip is not to play the distance on the card but take a couple of clubs more to play a little punch shot under the wind for better control.'
Silverburn Course: Silverburn is an attractive, short eighteen hole course. The course is a mixture of links and parkland holes. The Silverburn has nine par 3s and is always beautifully maintained. The course is a joy to play and if time permits it's well worth paying a visit. The Silverburn Course is an eighteen hole, par 64 (men) & (women), track. It is 4,021 yards in length.
Clubhouse & Practice facilities: Royal Aberdeen Golf Club are delighted to share their clubhouse facilities with visiting golfers. Maintaining the traditional ambience of a gentlemans' club, the clubhouse offers catering of the highest order. (see food and dining section). Locker room, changing and shower facilities are open for visitors to use. The club has a fully stocked professional shop offering a selection of R.A.G.C. branded goods, a range of golf apparel and custom fitting options for new clubs. Trolley hire and Caddie services are also available. Practice facilities: Royal Aberdeen Golf Club offers the use of their practice facilities to visiting golfers. On site, there is a short game and bunker practice area, warm up practice nets, a long game practice area (own balls required), and a putting green.
Accommodation: SGB partner with a number of large hotel chains in the cities of Aberdeen and Dundee. While we work with many smaller, more intimate, ones situated across Aberdeenshire, Angus and the North East. In addition, we have partnerships with a number of letting agencies to ensure we provide a fantastic suite of accommodation options across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee & the North East. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.
Food & Dining: Before or after a round at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, visitors will enjoy a warm welcome in the clubhouse. With a formal lounge and dining room supplemented by a casual lounge and dining area, Royal Aberdeen's catering is of the highest standard and praised by members and visitors alike. Lunch, dinner and cocktail parties can be arranged with the clubhouse manager in advance of your visit. (Scottish Golf Breaks will be delighted to organise dining options on your behalf. Menus available on request.)
Featured deal:
Typical packages include:
- Accommodation in a hotel, lodge or signature villa
- A round at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
- A round at Cruden Bay Golf Club
- A round on Trump International Golf Links
- Dinner Reservation @ Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
- Full Scottish Breakfast
- Access to changing & locker-rooms, clubhouse and practice facilities at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Golf packages in Scotland can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Angus, Dundee, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the North East, and or other regions within the country.
Additional services:
- Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
- Executive travel
- Caddie service
Need to know
Sixth oldest golf club in the world
Balgownie is considered one of the truest links courses in Scotland
Royal Aberdeen has hosted The Scottish Open and The Walker Cup
