- Best Aberdeenshire Golf Courses, East Scotland
Aberdeenshire
Why is Golf in Aberdeenshire Special?
The historic county of North East Scotland. Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, yet features some of the finest golf courses including Royal Aberdeen, Trump International Scotland and Cruden Bay.
Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s most exciting places to live, with quaint coastal towns, historic villages and cities.
View our course and then jump over to our Golf Tour Packages page for the latest Offers.
— Golf Courses
Golf Courses You Can Play in Aberdeenshire
Cruden Bay
Old Tom Morris
Style: Links
Par: 70
Cruden Bay is situated on the east coast of Scotland 23 miles north of Aberdeen, 8 miles south of Peterhead and only a two hour drive from St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”.
The Course offers an internationally famous golfing experience – old fashioned links golf at its best – on one of the best links courses in Scotland.
Creating unique challenges demanding the skills of power, placement and fine judgement upon the discerning golfer.
Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, our Course truly justifies the accolades it receives.
Duff House Royal
Dr Alister Mackenzie
Style: Parklands
Par: 68
Duff House Royal is a challenging par 68 for Gents or a par 72 for Ladies. It is bounded by the River Deveron, which proves to be a hazard at a number of holes.
Duff House Royal has achieved an excellent reputation for providing an outstanding course with large MacKenzie two-tiered and double greens.
It was redesigned in 1923, by the legendary Dr Alister MacKenzie, who also designed the world-famous Augusta National, Home of The Masters. Duff House Royal still, till this day, retains the design set out by MacKenzie.
Although close to the sea, the course is a flat, beautifully manicured parkland course with little rough, many well positioned bunkers and trees, which make the course a severe but fair challenge to golfers of all abilities.
Nestling in the middle of the course is Duff House, considered one of the grandest classical country houses built in the 18th century and designed by William Adam.
Fraserburgh
James Braid & Sir Henry Cotton
Style: Links
Par: 70
The 7th oldest Club in the World, is one of those rare treasures these days – a hidden gem in a beautiful setting.
One of our visitors wrote the following – “This is a real links course. The out nine are tough, especially in the north-east wind, but the back nine are very playable, with several interesting holes which require careful positioning.
Take the time out before or after your round to enjoy the ambience and facilities here at Fraserburgh. Facilities include a full Bar and lounge area, Full Visitor locker area with Shower facilities and all your golfing requirements catered for with Buggy's, Electric and Manual Trollies available for hire also.
Murcar Links
Archie Simpson & James Braid
Style: Links
Par: 71
Murcar Links is a 6516yard par 71 (SSS 73, US Slope rating 135) which frequently features in the top 100 courses in the UK and VisitScotland Top 40 Great Scottish Links Collection.
Murcar Links also provides a 9 hole course, the Strabathie Layout, a full length driving range with covered bays, short game area and putting areas.
The course was established in 1909 to the design of Archie Simpson, with later refinements in the 1930’s by celebrated course designed James Braid, with more recent improvements sympathetic to Simpson and braids design by Graeme Webster of Team Niblick.
Newburgh
Dr Alister Mackenzie
Style: Parklands
Par: 68
Consistently featuring in Scotland’s Top 100 Courses and ranked 6th best course in Aberdeenshire this Par 72, CSS 72, 6423 yard championship links provides a challenge for all abilities.
We pride ourselves on having a well presented course with true running greens and firm fairways you will be sure to have a memorable game of golf.
Peterhead
Designer: Willie Park Jnr
Style: Links
Par: 70
Set among the dunes and across the Craigewan links the course is a classic example of Scottish seaside golf at its best - and the toughest.
Royal Aberdeen
Willie Park Jnr
Style: Links
Par: 70
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was founded in 1780 as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815.
Until 1888 members played on the Queen's Links close to the city before moving across the River Don to the links at Balgownie.
The Course was originally designed by the Simpson Brothers, Archie and Robert of Carnoustie and later re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid to ensure our classic links kept pace with the modern game.
The club's 'Royal' patronage was awarded by Edward VII in 1903.
Royal Tarlair
TBC
Style: Links
Par: 71
On the Magical Moray Firth Coastline at Macduff you will find Royal Tarlair Golf Course.
The signature hole "Clivet", lies in wait she alone is worth the visit and guarantees a thrilling encounter each and every time you play this North East Jewel.
Trump Aberdeen
Dr Martin Hawtree
Style: Links
Par: 72
This incredible course follows a classical pattern of two out-and-back loops of nine holes.
All 18 holes thread their way engagingly through The Great Dunes of Scotland; rising to find panoramic views of the North Sea and dramatic coastline, and plunging into secluded valleys rich with native vegetation.
Each hole has six separate tees catering for all levels of golfer. The bunkers are placed to challenge the stronger player and not unduly punish the weaker golfer.
All bunkers are turf-revetted in traditional style to combat wind, erosion and sand-blow.
—Where To Stay
Accommodation in Aberdeenshire
- Marcliffe, Aberdeen
- Banff Springs, Banff
- Fife Lodge, Banff
- Malmaison, Aberdeen
- Sandman Signature, Aberdeen
- Ardoe House, Aberdeen
- Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel
- Kilmarnock Arms, Cruden Bay
- The Dunes, Cruden Bay
—Where To Golf