Tee Up in the North-East: A Golfer's Guide to Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

From breezy municipal links to bucket-list championship courses — your complete guide to golf in one of Scotland's finest golfing regions.

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire sit at the heart of Scottish golf. With over 55 courses spread across the region — from windswept clifftop links to manicured inland parkland — there's a round to suit every ability, ambition, and budget.

We may be biased, but we think staying in the city centre at Alba Guest House puts you in the perfect position to explore it all.

Our own William is a keen golfer himself, and nothing makes breakfast conversation more lively than swapping notes on the region's finest fairways. Read on for his (and our) honest picks – and don't be shy about asking him for a tip or two over your morning plate.

Accessible to Premium Top Golf Spots in Aberdeen

Accessible & Affordable: Great Golf Without the Big Green Fee

Budget friendly

~£30/round

King's Links Golf Course

Golf Road, Aberdeen  ·  18 holes  ·  Par 71  ·  Municipal

Quite possibly Aberdeen's best-kept secret, King's Links is a true links course right in the city — laid out in 1872 and sitting steps from Aberdeen Beach. Big dunes, quick greens, deep bunkers, and the North Sea wind make it a far more demanding round than the price suggests. There's also a handy six-hole course for warm-ups, and the neighbouring Kings Links Golf Centre has one of Scotland's largest driving ranges. Book through Sport Aberdeen's BRS app.

~£30/round

Balnagask Golf Course

St. Fitticks Road, Torry, Aberdeen  ·  18 holes  ·  Municipal

Perched on the south side of Aberdeen Harbour, Balnagask is a course of real character — quirky routing, dramatic coastal views, and blustery challenges that reward local knowledge. It lacks the polished amenities of a private club, but that's entirely part of the appeal. Arrive, pay, play — proper golf in the raw. Another Sport Aberdeen gem, and outstanding value for money.

~£60–80/round

Hazlehead Golf Courses

Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen  ·  2 x 18 holes + 9-hole course  ·  Municipal

Aberdeen's most expansive public golf facility offers two full 18-hole parkland courses plus a nine-hole layout — ideal for families, beginners, or those wanting a second round. Set within Hazlehead Park, the courses are well-maintained and very accessible, making them a popular choice for visitors who want relaxed, friendly golf without the need to book well in advance.

~£55–70/round

Newmachar Golf Club — Swailend Course

Swailend, Newmachar  ·  18 holes  ·  Par 72  ·  ~25 min from city centre

Newmachar is one of the leading golf facilities in Scotland, boasting indoor and outdoor driving ranges, a simulator room, and two 18-hole courses. The Swailend course is the more visitor-friendly of the two — a parkland par 72 at around 6,500 yards that's perfectly enjoyable without being intimidating. A great choice if you want excellent practice facilities alongside your round.

William's tip: If you're after weekday value, King's Links is hard to beat — but book online through the Sport Aberdeen app as it fills up fast on fine days. The six-hole warm-up course is a brilliant way to get a feel for the Links' conditions before taking on the full 18.

Premium & Bucket-List: Scotland's Finest on Your Doorstep

Premium experience

Premium

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club — Balgownie Links

Links Road, Bridge of Don  ·  18 holes  ·  Founded 1780  ·  ~10 min from city centre

The sixth-oldest golf club in the world, Royal Aberdeen is a genuine pilgrimage for any serious golfer. The Balgownie course runs along the North Sea shore in a classic out-and-back links design, with what many regard as one of the finest opening nine holes in golf. No two holes play the same, and the prevailing wind ensures it tests every club in the bag. King Edward VII granted the club royal patronage in 1903 – royalty has clearly always had good taste.

Premium

Murcar Links Golf Club

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen  ·  18 holes + 9-hole Strabathie  ·  ~10 min from city centre

Just along the coast from Royal Aberdeen, Murcar sits on a classic stretch of linksland defined by enormous sand dunes, crumpled fairways, whins, burns, and heather. It ranks among the top courses in Great Britain and Ireland and offers a genuine championship test. Many visitors play Royal Aberdeen in the morning and Murcar in the afternoon — a pairing that makes for one of the great golf days in Scotland.

Luxury

Cruden Bay Golf Club

Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire  ·  18 holes + 9-hole St Olaf  ·  ~35 min from city centre

Cruden Bay divides opinion in the most wonderful way — some call it quirky, others call it a masterpiece. Either way, it's a thrilling place to play. The designers used the original contours of the land to spectacular effect, producing a course that surprises at every turn with half-par holes, benched greens, funky two-shotters, and dramatic North Sea scenery. The nine-hole St Olaf course is also a delight, and at a modest green fee, makes for a brilliant shorter game. Well worth the short drive north.

~£33 twilight

Stonehaven Golf Club

Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire  ·  18 holes  ·  Par 66  ·  ~20 min south

One of Scotland's most dramatic settings: Stonehaven's course sits atop cliffs overlooking the North Sea, with views stretching to the ruins of Dunnottar Castle. On a clear day, seals and dolphins can sometimes be spotted in the bay below. The par 66 layout at around 5,000 yards may sound modest, but coastal winds can make this a real handful. There's also an infamous crater between the first and second fairways from a WWII German bombing raid — now known locally as "Hitler's Bunker". History, views, and proper golf for a very reasonable fee.

"Aberdeenshire is one of the most underrated golfing destinations in the whole of Scotland — you get world-class links golf without the crowds you'd find further south. I've played many of these courses myself and I'm always happy to chat through which suits your game, what the conditions are likely to be, or whether you'd rather a relaxed round or a proper test. Just ask at breakfast — the conversation's always better with a good meal behind it! " William, Manager, Alba Guest House

A Few Tips Before You Go

Book tee times in advance, especially at weekends — Royal Aberdeen, Murcar, and Cruden Bay in particular, fill up quickly in summer. The BRS Golf app handles bookings for Sport Aberdeen's municipal courses (King's Links, Balnagask, and Hazlehead) and visitors can book up to three days ahead.

At the private clubs, booking directly by phone or via their websites is usually the quickest route. Most courses will require soft spikes, and smart casual dress in the clubhouse is the norm.

One final thought: don't be put off by an overcast morning. The light on the North Sea links when a sea mist lifts mid-round is something you won't forget in a hurry.

Planning a golf trip to Aberdeen? We'd love to have you stay at Alba Guest House — right in the heart of the city at 444 King Street, and perfectly placed for the city's municipal courses or a short drive to the championship links. William and Geraldine will make sure you're well fed before every round, the dogs will give you a warm welcome, and you'll never be short of local knowledge.

Book direct on our contact form—we'd love to see you.