Ayrshire vs Aberdeen Area Courses

[buckI]

Looking to book our next trip for 2024.    We will have 2-3 courses lined up for East Lothian but looking at either doing the Ayrshire (Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes, etc.) or the Aberdeen area (Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, etc.).

 

What are people's thoughts on the courses in those areas?   

 

We have played St. Andrews area, Carnoustie, etc. on previous trips so looking for other areas.  Appreciate the input.

[El Gringo]

7 hours ago, buckI said:

Looking to book our next trip for 2024.    We will have 2-3 courses lined up for East Lothian but looking at either doing the Ayrshire (Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes, etc.) or the Aberdeen area (Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, etc.).

 

What are people's thoughts on the courses in those areas?   

 

We have played St. Andrews area, Carnoustie, etc. on previous trips so looking for other areas.  Appreciate the input.

It depends on how deep your trip will be. Ayrshire is seriously deep in courses. If you are just hitting the highlights the gap with Aberdeen is much narrowed...but Ayrshire still wins out. One thing I will say is that aesthetically I prefer the Aberdeen area and Aberdeen as a place to stay. If you do go to Aberdeen, don't forget to play Fraserburgh and Cruden Bay St Olaf. 

[Chanceman]

One option you did not mention is the Inverness area where you have a superb range of choices atarting with Royal Dornoch, then Brora, Tain, Golspie, Foortrose and Rosemarkie, Castle Stuart, Nairn, Old Moray, Boat of Garten and quite a few more.

[Quebec Club Ho]

In the Ayrshire area I've played Turnberry, Prestwick and Troon - while in the Aberdeen area I've done; Royal Aberdeen, Cruden bay, Fraserburgh and my 'home' course Murcar.  

 

Both areas can easily access other areas as well. 

For accommodations, the Aberdeen area is plentiful whereas it's been over 10 years since I've been to the Ayrshire area.

No picking - I'll just say enjoy whatever area you pick and don't look back!

Have a great trip! :))))

 

[scott_Donald]

I am bias but if I was wanting to play 1 course every day it would be Royal Aberdeen. Turnberry is amazing views wise but wow the price tag.

 

Troon I have never played but it looks the best course out West. Cruden Bay is fun and quirky and loved by so many.

 

T r u m p is a great course; designed to have a major on it but I don’t know why but I know members of it who play RAGC over it(a member I know played it 3 times and RAGC 50 times last year) it beats any of the remaining West courses.

 

In all honesty both coasts are great, I am driving up past all the courses to the West tomorrow and then played a round at RAGC Tuesday! Pick one and you will love them!

Edited April 10, 2023 by scott_Donald

[buckI]

Sounds like a do you like blondes or brunettes decision😂

 

Seriously though I think may combine 2-3 spots in East Lothian for this trip and then combine Aberdeen area with the Highlands on a subsequent trip.

[Lum85]

Sorry new to WRX and first comment.

 

Totally tough choice, really depends on what you want from your trip and amount of days/rounds you are wanting to play 36hole days?
 

The Main difference between Ayrshire and Aberdeen is the amount of quality courses you want to play with Ayrshire having alot more strength and depth 3 Open venues alone. Where you could play the best Aberdeen as to offer in 3-5 days you would need a week to do the same in Ayrshire.
 

The choice to play Aberdeen area then move to Inverness is a very good trip in its self. 

[thecraw]

I played the Aberdeen courses last year on a trip. Trump and Royal Aberdeen are sensational. Top top courses. Murcar we enjoyed way more than Cruden Bay and from a previous trip I would say that I much preferred Fraserburgh to Cruden Bay also. That will be controversial to some but we all have our own personal preferences and opinions. 

 

Look at a stay and play package at Dundonald Links. It is a fabulous course and easily combines Prestwick, Troon and Western Gailes within 10/15 minutes. Dundonald has a great clubhouse and very good food. Western Gailes and Royal Troon are both excellent and I'm a huge fan of Dundonald. It just ticks a lot of my boxes. 

 

Whatever you choose you will have a blast. 

[thecraw]

Double post

Edited April 11, 2023 by thecraw

[Quebec Club Ho]

2 hours ago, thecraw said:

I played the Aberdeen courses last year on a trip. Trump and Royal Aberdeen are sensational. Top top courses. Murcar we enjoyed way more than Cruden Bay and from a previous trip I would say that I much preferred Fraserburgh to Cruden Bay also. That will be controversial to some but we all have our own personal preferences and opinions. 

 

Look at a stay and play package at Dundonald Links. It is a fabulous course and easily combines Prestwick, Troon and Western Gailes within 10/15 minutes. Dundonald has a great clubhouse and very good food. Western Gailes and Royal Troon are both excellent and I'm a huge fan of Dundonald. It just ticks a lot of my boxes. 

 

Whatever you choose you will have a blast. 

We at Murcar appreciate the nod over Cruden Bay. No shot at Cruden, but it's true!!! 😄 

[buckI]

3 hours ago, thecraw said:

I played the Aberdeen courses last year on a trip. Trump and Royal Aberdeen are sensational. Top top courses. Murcar we enjoyed way more than Cruden Bay and from a previous trip I would say that I much preferred Fraserburgh to Cruden Bay also. That will be controversial to some but we all have our own personal preferences and opinions. 

 

Look at a stay and play package at Dundonald Links. It is a fabulous course and easily combines Prestwick, Troon and Western Gailes within 10/15 minutes. Dundonald has a great clubhouse and very good food. Western Gailes and Royal Troon are both excellent and I'm a huge fan of Dundonald. It just ticks a lot of my boxes. 

 

Whatever you choose you will have a blast. 

Appreciate the input.   Does Dundonald have single rooms or all shared rooms?   I read a couple other posts that recommended the food there.

 

I am looking to add into the trip.  Pretty much have it and one other course to line up and will have the golf itinerary complete.

[thecraw]

4 hours ago, buckI said:

Appreciate the input.   Does Dundonald have single rooms or all shared rooms?   I read a couple other posts that recommended the food there.

 

I am looking to add into the trip.  Pretty much have it and one other course to line up and will have the golf itinerary complete.

 I'm sorry I don't but a quick email will answer that for you.

[El Gringo]

One thing about staying at Dundonald is the isolation. It isn't in a town per say. There is nothing to walk to. 

[scott_Donald]

9 hours ago, Quebec Club Ho said:

We at Murcar appreciate the nod over Cruden Bay. No shot at Cruden, but it's true!!! 😄 

 

 

Royal Aberdeen is still the best!

 

Was going to put up pics form yesterday but turns out I didn't take any!

 

[buckI]

7 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

Royal Aberdeen is still the best!

 

Was going to put up pics form yesterday but turns out I didn't take any!

 

Next trip!

[sabram]

On 4/6/2023 at 7:31 PM, buckI said:

Looking to book our next trip for 2024.    We will have 2-3 courses lined up for East Lothian but looking at either doing the Ayrshire (Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes, etc.) or the Aberdeen area (Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, etc.).

 

What are people's thoughts on the courses in those areas?   

 

Thoughts on courses in those areas?   Both areas have great courses and would be a great part of any golf trip. It's a fool's errand to try to rank one area above the other.

 

The courses in Ayrshire have more history/Open Championships, but for 5 rounds of golf, I'd very happily return to any of these courses

 

Turnberry                                        Royal Aberdeen

Prestwick                                        Cruden Bay

Western Gailes                               Murcar

Troon                                              Trump Aberdeen

Glasgow Gailes                              Fraserburgh

 

Here are links to photos

 

Photos of Courses in Ayrshire         Photos of Courses near Aberdeen (and Highlands)

[Quebec Club Ho]

7 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

Royal Aberdeen is still the best!

 

Was going to put up pics form yesterday but turns out I didn't take any!

 

We are land neighbours after all, 1000% respect your opinion 😄 

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

Royal Aberdeen is still the best!

 

Was going to put up pics form yesterday but turns out I didn't take any!

 

How are the new modifications?

[Quebec Club Ho]

10 minutes ago, sabram said:

 

Thoughts on courses in those areas?   Both areas have great courses and would be a great part of any golf trip. It's a fool's errand to try to rank one area above the other.

 

The courses in Ayrshire have more history/Open Championships, but for 5 rounds of golf, I'd very happily return to any of these courses

 

Turnberry                                        Royal Aberdeen

Prestwick                                        Cruden Bay

Western Gailes                               Murcar

Troon                                              Trump Aberdeen

Glasgow Gailes                              Fraserburgh

 

Here are links to photos

 

Photos of Courses in Ayrshire         Photos of Courses near Aberdeen (and Highlands)

Whatever my opinion is worth:

 

Turnbery, WG, Troon, RA, Trump are 'big ball park' courses. They have hosted Open's are other big events and the sheer size of the land/area gives you a feel or energy to them (the history also) other courses can not do. 

 

Prestwick oozes history, obviously but some of the holes on the 'new' holes are rather bland.

 

Cruden is either spectacular or ok. (NO disrespect intended) Super friendly staff and members as well. 

 

Fraserburgh is very charming, not difficult per se, a smaller version of a 'big ball park' course (NO disrespect intended). So much fun to play but it is a tad out of the way if you are staying in Aberdeen proper.

 

Murcar, sorry being a tad bias, is literally a smaller version of RA but for my skill level, I find more difficult (tighter fairways, landing areas, and more blind shots) As you know, both courses are on the same parcel of land so the layout is very similar (large dunes, routing close to the sea and then back inland, etc)

 

I have not played with Gailes or Trump.

 

Bottom line, you'll have a great time in either area!!!

 

[scott_Donald]

15 hours ago, Quebec Club Ho said:

We are land neighbours after all, 1000% respect your opinion 😄 

 

Funny yesterday a Tuesday at 1400 ish there was not a sole on Murcar, yet at Saturdays you can't get a tee time!

 

15 hours ago, hammergolf said:

How are the new modifications?

 

I have only played three rounds and off the yellow tees so limited experience. The wider 4th for me makes me want to hit driver now form the yellows before previously only hitting a 4 iron ish. The rest I haven't noticed, all the gorse removal or trimming has been great, I hate gorse!

Edited April 13, 2023 by scott_Donald

[Quebec Club Ho]

1 hour ago, scott_Donald said:

 

Funny yesterday a Tuesday at 1400 ish there was not a sole on Murcar, yet at Saturdays you can't get a tee time!

 

 

I have only played three rounds and off the yellow tees so limited experience. The wider 4th for me makes me want to hit driver now form the yellows before previously only hitting a 4 iron ish. The rest I haven't noticed, all the gorse removal or trimming has been great, I have gorse!

Saturday is Medal play for members - as an overseas member, I can't play in those. So it's an afternoon tee time for me. I also believe Wednesday or Thursday is the other medal day. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Quebec Club Ho

[cardia10]

On 4/11/2023 at 9:07 PM, buckI said:

Appreciate the input.   Does Dundonald have single rooms or all shared rooms?   I read a couple other posts that recommended the food there.

 

I am looking to add into the trip.  Pretty much have it and one other course to line up and will have the golf itinerary complete.

Dundonald is nice, but is nothing like the other LINKS courses we played. Very American. Look at South Beach Hotel in Troon next door. Walkable to lots and a couple miles from Dundonald.

[MattyO1984]

On 4/12/2023 at 1:08 AM, Quebec Club Ho said:

We at Murcar appreciate the nod over Cruden Bay. No shot at Cruden, but it's true!!! 😄 

 

Being local-ish, I would much prefer to play Murcar over Cruden Bay every day of the week.