User Reviews
for Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, UK
| 5 Stars: | 1 | |
| 4 Stars: | 1 | |
| 3 Stars: | 2 | |
| 2 Stars: | 0 | |
| 1 star: | 0 |
Reviews 1 - 4 from 4
Original version
Great links place
Reviewed September 4, 2024
Today we played the Balgownie Links course, an ancient classic in excellent condition. Even if Sir Nick Faldo tees off here before us, we certainly didn't make a mistake in choosing the course.
The course is in great condition, yes the fairways are extremely hilly, yes, there are also many fairway bunkers and the greens are well defended with many bunkers. I can't quite understand the previous writer and his assessment, on the one hand he praises the condition of the course, on the other hand there are complaints about the obstacles that are common on links courses.
Our group is full of praise for the place and rightly so.
Translated by Google.
- Original version
Industry beats history – unfortunately disappointing
Reviewed August 3, 2024
Played mid-June 2024, HCP 16
A brutal links course in an ancient and venerable setting (founded in 1780).
From the bar of the clubhouse you have a beautiful view of the first tee, which is surprisingly fair (slightly downhill, wide fairway, course very visible)...
Unfortunately, quite the opposite of what follows!
Only rarely do you have a really nice view of the sea - the ugly offshore wind turbines usually spoil the look, often paired with fat oil tankers and fishing trawlers.
If you look inland, you can see ugly, functional factory buildings in the west and the “skyline” of Aberdeen in the south – dull concrete high-rises…
The flourishing industry also brings with it a corresponding amount of noise. Helicopters and small planes are constantly buzzing over the course. You play two or three holes under a wind turbine - the monotonous "whoosh whoosh whoosh" is also quite nerve-wracking. You're almost glad when the constant wind drowns out all other noises.
Unfortunately, the course is not very golf-friendly either. The rock-hard fairways are covered in numerous fairly large bumps. If you don't place your 150m shots (often blind over the dunes) with centimetre precision, you have to accept that balls played "in the middle of the fairway" either bounce uncontrollably to the right or left into the rough or continue to bounce into the nearest bunker. First of all, you have to know where the ball should land best - which is also difficult to determine from the birdie book.
I think I now understand why someone like Rory McIlroy can shoot a 64 one day and a 78 the next – the luck (or should we say bad luck) factor seems to be much higher here than on other courses.
The greens are tricky to play, but quite varied. Sometimes tiny and hard to hit, sometimes expansive and undulating. Mostly very well bunkered! Challenging, but like the whole course, in excellent condition.
The bunkers are typical – often man-deep – and as is typical for links golf, you will look in vain for water hazards.
If you want to protect your joints on the hard surface, be warned: you can only use a cart with a medical certificate and the cart must then be driven by a caddy - for an additional EUR 100. Driving yourself is not permitted. However, the paths between the courses are not too long and the climbs are not too extreme - so you can manage the course fairly well on foot.
Conclusion: This was definitely a great links course in the 18th/19th century. Now it is unfortunately a very loud, ugly and therefore completely overpriced playing field! Green fee of just under EUR 300,- including the tea gift (noble "Royal Aberdeen" bag with tees and birdie book) is quite excessive. Considering the history and the excellent condition, 3 stars. (In the "Golf Bear Ranking": 5 out of 10 points.)
Translated by Google.
- Original version
Old Scottish!!!
Reviewed May 6, 2017
Of course, a noble Ancient links with pot bunkers and very good and fast greens! The view of the sea where the heavy oil tankers are in the North Sea is awesome!
Against the wind almost unplayable!!!
Translated by Google.
- Original version
Ur Links
Reviewed May 29, 2015
The place was on our visit, unfortunately, not in a very good condition. A little attention Tätte the place certainly good.
Ancient clubhouse, canteen operation. By SAT sofas. Coin coffee machine. Everything but very long in the tooth. Sanitary facilities / showers dingy.
Was rather a bit disappointed.
Translated by Google.
Been to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club? Share your experiences!
