Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

The Society of Golfers in Aberdeen is recorded as being established in 1780, though it is likely that golf was played on the ‘Auld Town Links’ of Aberdeen well before this date. After a short hiatus, members of the early society formed The Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815. For over 70 years, they played on a variety of ever-changing courses across the city lands of the Queens and Kings Links.With many other sports and activities taking place on the Town Links, The Aberdeen Golfers decided in 1888 to move to a true golfing paradise on the northern side of the River Don: Balgownie Links. In 1903, the club was granted the ‘Royal’ title, and over the ensuing decades, the course gradually evolved into the magnificent championship layout it is today.Regarded as one of the most naturally challenging links courses in the world, Balgownie Links can be especially formidable when the north-easterly wind blows. Over the past 20 years, the course and club have risen to the top tier of world golf, hosting events such as The Walker Cup, The Scottish Open, and The Amateur Championship. In recent, highly regarded global course rankings, Royal Aberdeen’s Balgownie Links continues its ascent, now ranked ahead of several esteemed Open and US Open venues.