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18 Reasons Why Aberdeen Should Be Your Next Golf Destination

21 January 2016

Scotland is blessed with an array of great golf destinations which makes choosing where to play difficult. Here’s 18 reasons why you should opt for Aberdeen as your next golf destination.

1. Top 100 Golf Courses

Separated by just 15 miles of coastline Cruden Bay, Trump International & Royal Aberdeen all feature regularly in the bi-annual list of Top 100 Golf Courses. So if you’re on a mission to play the world’s top 100 golf courses Aberdeen is a good place to start.

2. Scotland’s Golf City

No other city in Scotland can lay claim to having the variety and quality of golf courses within their city boundary. These include Royal Aberdeen, Murcar and Hazlehead all of which offer glimpses of the city skyline.

3. Cruden Bay’s 14th Green

The famous ‘punchbowl’ green at Cruden Bay has been replicated by golf designers around the world most of which can be found across the United States.   

4. Royal Aberdeen’s Front 9

The first 9 holes on Royal Aberdeen’s Championship Balgownie links have been described as perhaps the best collection of nine holes in links golf. Holes 2-9 run in a valley of towering sand dunes with no two holes the same.

5. Aberdeen International Airport

Getting to Aberdeen’s great golf courses couldn’t be easier thanks in part to the excellent air links to and from Aberdeen. Fly from major European cities like London, Paris, Dublin and Amsterdam or countries such as Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Spain.

6. Lots Of Links Golf Courses

The Aberdeen region is home to one of the world’s few genuine golf strips stretching 50 miles from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen. Here golfers can play more than 7 links courses without driving more than hour from the city.

7. Brewdog Brewery

As one of the world’s fastest growing food & drink companies Brewdog is known to the craft beer enthusiast. Their brewery and visitor centre located minutes from the golf course makes the perfect 19th hole.

8. Watch A European Tour Event

Murcar Golf Club will play host to the European Tour Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay from the 4-7th August 2016. Last year's inaugural event also at Murcar again helped showcase Aberdeen as one of the world's best golf destinations. 

9. Trump International Golf Links

Only opening in 2012 Trump International Golf Links is already considered one of world’s best golf courses. The resort is home to a Championship 18 hole golf course, extensive practise facilities, luxurious 5 star onsite accommodation and fine dining.

10. Stay & Play At Weekends

Weekends are oddly the best time to visit Aberdeen as the city’s strong business tourism keeps hotel occupancy and prices high during the week. Better still unlike other golf regions in Scotland all of Aberdeen’s golf courses allow weekend visitor play.

11. The Best Golf Architects

Aberdeen golf courses have been crafted by some of golf’s very best course designers past and present. These include the legendary Old Tom Morris who laid out Cruden Bay in 1899, the prolific James Braid who redesigned Fraserburgh back in the 1920s to the modern renowned course designer Martin Hawtree with his work at Trump International Golf Links.  

12. Hazelhead Municipal 

Before leaving Scotland for the States where he would end up designing Augusta National Alister Mackenzie was commissioned to design a course in the centre of Aberdeen. The now municipal parkland course has since rightfully been renamed the Mackenzie Championship.

13. Home Of The 5 Minute Rule & Golf Hole

The first ever reference to a golf hole was recorded in Aberdeen back in 1625 while Royal Aberdeen is the proud home of the 5 minute rule.

14. Near St Andrews  

The Home of Golf is just down the east coast less than 90 minutes by train and a little more by car. So if you’re desperate to play the hallowed turf of the Old Course make a day trip from Aberdeen.

15. Birdies At Newburgh

The links at Newburgh skirts the mouth of the River Ythan and offers stunning views of the Forvie Nature Reserve. If your golf doesn’t produce birdies you’ll at least be able to spot a number of rare seabirds in the estuary. 

16. Aberdeen City Centre

With two universities and strong economy thanks to the Oil & Gas industry Aberdeen has a vibrant nightlife. Golfers can enjoy countless bars & restaurants, cinemas, shops and casinos.

17. Home Of Paul Lawrie

The winner of the 1999 Carnoustie Open Championship, European Tour veteran Paul Lawrie is born and bred Aberdeen and still lives in the city. The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre which he runs with his wife offers golfers a state of the art practise facility and 9 hole course.

18. Fraserburgh’s Par 3s

You'll struggle to find a better collection of par 3s than those at Fraserburgh. The pick of the bunch amidst the rolling sand dunes include the signature downhill 7th and the card wrecker 17th.

For your golf trip to Aberdeen make The White Horse Inn, Balmedie your clubhouse. Our 20 bedroom hotel, bar & restaurant is ran by golfers for golfers. Email: golf@whitehorseinn.co.uk 

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