Aberdeen trip in September

[spud3]

I had so much fun playing Fife and E Lothian last year, I'm thinking of a return trip in early September to play the Aberdeen area courses.  Considering a home base in Aberdeen and playing Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Carnoustie (had my best round there last year and want another to make sure it wasn't a fluke).

 

Suggestions for other courses to fill in around those?  I'll have a total of 6 full days, one of those will be spent at Carnoustie.  Prefer seaside links layouts, but that's not a show-stopper.

 

Also looking for recs for a place to stay in Aberdeen area, as I'd be flying in and out of there.  ShipStick'ing my clubs both ways, as the only way to get there from the PNW is through Heathrow.

[dirthead]

I recently stayed at Malmaison in Aberdeen.  Very nice hotel and great restaurant.

[Quebec Club Ho]

1 hour ago, spud3 said:

I had so much fun playing Fife and E Lothian last year, I'm thinking of a return trip in early September to play the Aberdeen area courses.  Considering a home base in Aberdeen and playing Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Carnoustie (had my best round there last year and want another to make sure it wasn't a fluke).

 

Suggestions for other courses to fill in around those?  I'll have a total of 6 full days, one of those will be spent at Carnoustie.  Prefer seaside links layouts, but that's not a show-stopper.

 

Also looking for recs for a place to stay in Aberdeen area, as I'd be flying in and out of there.  ShipStick'ing my clubs both ways, as the only way to get there from the PNW is through Heathrow.

Spud3,

I was in the Aberdeen area mid Sept- end October 2023.

Oversea's member at Murcar - don't overlook my club. It's super tough - true links, narrow, difficult (72/135 rating/slope), blind shots - but super fun to play if you can believe difficult and fun can go together. Best part is the staff and the members are super nice and inviting. You won't find any "sigh, visitors" attitude. All are welcomed.

 

As for the weather. No sugar coating it - it rained everyday (only 2 days did it rain the entire day) but generally speaking, it passed within 30 minutes. It was cold, I needed my thermal compression underwear everyday and it was windy. If planned properly, it will not be an issue.

 

I stayed further out in the suburb of Ellon, but you can definitely find a place closer to the city. I just wanted a bigger place and quieter area. It was exactly 12 miles to the course - never any traffic. And it was still not a bad trip to and back to the airport. 

 

As for the other courses and approximate distances from the city:

Royal Aberdeen (land neighbours to us) is in the city.

Aberdeen international is @10 miles straight up the highway A90

Cruden bay @20 miles straight up the same highway 

Fraserburgh @40 miles (same highway). It is a very nice course. Not 'difficult' per se but very fun, enjoyable, unpretentious test of golf.

Montrose @40 miles south - on the way to Carnoustie. Again, very enjoyable and charming - 5th oldest golf club in the world!!

** You can easily plan two of the above courses in one day. Or two rounds on the same course, so you can actually remember the course afterward. There is always the debate about "play as many courses as possible but not remember some OR play just a couple many times. I'll leave that to you.

 

That's all I got. But more experienced members can help add to this.

 

Enjoy your trip :DDDDDD

[sabram]

Don't overlook the St. Olaf course at Cruden Bay. It's very good. 

 

Murcar, mentioned above is also very good.

 

Near Carnoustie, play Montrose, Monifieth and Panmure.

 

The Corbie Hill course at Fraserburgh GC is very good.if you're  willing to make the 45 minute drive. It used to be very inexpensive, but green fees have gone up a lot recently.

 

If you play those along with Royal Aberdeen, Carnoustie and the Championship course at Cruden Bay, you'll have a great itinerary  without to much car yravel

 

[El Gringo]

I second the suggestion of Panmure and St Olaf. 

 

I also think Trump Aberdeen is great. It's not my bag, but no question it's great. 

[spud3]

Thanks, guys - an itinerary is forming...

 

Any more recs for a place to stay in Aberdeen?

[El Gringo]

55 minutes ago, spud3 said:

Thanks, guys - an itinerary is forming...

 

Any more recs for a place to stay in Aberdeen?

Premier Inn on the near north side of the city is good. 

[hammergolf]

6 hours ago, spud3 said:

I had so much fun playing Fife and E Lothian last year, I'm thinking of a return trip in early September to play the Aberdeen area courses.  Considering a home base in Aberdeen and playing Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Carnoustie (had my best round there last year and want another to make sure it wasn't a fluke).

 

Suggestions for other courses to fill in around those?  I'll have a total of 6 full days, one of those will be spent at Carnoustie.  Prefer seaside links layouts, but that's not a show-stopper.

 

Also looking for recs for a place to stay in Aberdeen area, as I'd be flying in and out of there.  ShipStick'ing my clubs both ways, as the only way to get there from the PNW is through Heathrow.

I would definitely add Fraserburgh, which is 45 mins from Aberdeen, and Panmure, which is 5 mins from Carnoustie, and Murcar which is next to RA. You also have International Golf Links which is great and only 15mins from Aberdeen, but some may not like the owner. 

[Chanceman]

Don’t forget to call it Fraserbruh! The G is silent. The locals will love you.

[CraigLester]

Spud3

 

As regular to Aberdeen, i would recommend all the courses listed plus I'm going to throw Cullen into the mix, 4600 yards par 63 but the most fun course in Aberdeenshire.

 

As a place to stay i would suggest the Westhill Premier inn, nice onsite restaurant, a large supermarket close by if you forget anything plus its 2 minutes away from the Aberdeen bypass 

 

Craig

 

[El Gringo]

If you are willing to drive to Cullen, be sure to play Covesea. It offers what Cullen does more efficiently...9 holes. 

[CraigLester]

El Gringo

 

Great idea two fun course in one day, I was hoping to play Covesea last week but i had to leave Aberdeen early due to my Father being admitted to Hospital.

[sabram]

On 7/18/2023 at 6:04 PM, El Gringo said:

It's not my bag

Showing your age😉😁

[El Gringo]

10 hours ago, sabram said:

Showing your age😉😁

For sure. Also, it's a strange design decision to lean so heavily toward aerial golf for a links. 

[MattyO1984]

On 7/20/2023 at 4:48 PM, CraigLester said:

El Gringo

 

Great idea two fun course in one day, I was hoping to play Covesea last week but i had to leave Aberdeen early due to my Father being admitted to Hospital.

 

I'm a local - 6 miles from Covesea and whilst Covesea is nice it would definitely only fill in as an afternoon addition to a proper main course earlier in the day. None of this is a knock on Covesea, for what it is - almost a one man operation - it is super and the view on getting to the 5th green is worth the green fee, there are far far superior venues in the local area.

 

I hope you are dad is feeling better!! 

[Pleasedwith3putts]

I much preferred Trump to Cruden Bay. A caddie is valuable at both, Cruden has a lot of blind shots and Trump has a lot of different tee options, picking the right one for you is key to enjoyment.

[scott_Donald]

hmmm.

 

what is your budget for hotels? will you have a car? assuming so as you are going far a field. How many of you? What dates are you in Aberdeen?

 

Restaurants? what kind of food do you like? 

 

Royal Aberdeen

Cruden Bay

Trum py

 

Those three are by far the best. It's a hard one there are quite a few other nice courses as mentioned but depends how far you want to go, 18 a day or 36. Also have you booked the 3 mentioned yet because most courses have visitor times set out. 

 

Oh ye, I live in Aberdeen and am a member At Royal Aberdeen. My dad is a member at Cruden Bay and Ragc so I now the area pretty well...........

Edited July 29, 2023 by scott_Donald

[spud3]

Thanks for the replies.  This trip will be adjusted to next year, as I've landed on a Pinehurst trip for this September.  I will definitely be referring back to this thread when I am planning for Scotland, and @scott_Donald might be DM'ing you for some local knowledge!

[TTN]

Panmure and Murcar are most plays. The Chester Hotel and Dutch Mill Hotel are both great.