A high-quality course at an historic club that the links purist will love. It’s rugged and rumpled but carefully thought out and the surfaces are of the highest possible quality.
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club Balgownie Course Review
Top 100 Ranking 2021/22 – TBC
Previous Rankings
2019/20 – 16
2017/18 – 16
2015/16 – 17
2013/14 – 19
2011/12 – 21
2009/10 – 23
Summer Green Fees
Round – £195
Visitors: Visitor Times: Monday & Wednesday – 10:00-11:30 & 14:00-15:30, Tuesday & Thursday – 14:00-15:30, Friday – 10:00-11:00 & 14:30-15:30, Weekends – after 15:30
Medal Tee: Par 71 – 6,537 Yards
Changes since previous ranking
Redesign of the 2nd green and surround on the Balgownie course to provide the option of a chip and run approach shot previously unavailable to the golfer due to the extent of the contours.
The change has been very well received both within and outside of the membership.
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club Balgownie Course Review
Archie and Robert Simpson from Carnoustie designed the first layout at Balgownie, before James Braid advised on alterations to the greens and bunkering in 1925. Hawtree and Company have more recently added their touches.
Related: Top 100 golf courses UK and Ireland
It’s an excellent out-and-back layout with a selection of highly memorable holes. The first strikes out from directly in front of the old-school, memorabilia-packed, clubhouse, straight towards the North Sea and a flag seemingly perched right on the shoreline.
The layout then turns into the dunes, following the coastline to the turn. There’s an eclectic selection of holes asking for power, precision or both. The 8th is a great par-3, protected by 10 bunkers that seem to completely surround the green
The 8th at Royal Aberdeen
The course moves slightly inland as the run for home commences. Into the wind, the back nine can be extremely challenging. The stretch of long par-4s from the 13th to the 16th is particularly tough. Each of them requires two fine shots if a player is to reach in regulation.
Over the years Royal Aberdeen has played host to many memorable tournaments. Recently, Tom Watson won the British Senior Open at Balgownie in 2005, GB&I defeated the USA in the Walker Cup over the links in 2011 and Justin Rose triumphed in the AAM Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2014.
Assessor Feedback
Traditional out-and-back links with outstanding conditioning, coastal views, blind shots, undulations, and long-rough aplenty.
Presentation from rough, second cut through to fairways blends harmoniously with the dramatic contours of the landscape and could not fail to impress.
Royal Aberdeen should be near the top of the must-play list for links connoisseurs.
GM Verdict
A high-quality course at an historic club that the links purist will love. It’s rugged and rumpled but carefully thought out and the surfaces are of the highest possible quality.
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