Our second round of the trip is at the esteemed Royal Aberdeen, the 6th oldest golf club in the world. Founded in 1780, it was not until 1903 that King Edward VII bestowed the Royal title. It has a long storied history including the institution of the "Five Minute Rule" -five minutes max to search for stray golf balls, which is way too long when playing in April, since the varied, primarily fescue and marram grasses are still young.
It is a classic links course high above the east coast of the North Sea. Nine holes out and nine holes back of bumpy and unpredictable hard fairways. Shot selection and placement are critical to scoring well.
The course was in excellent condition as there has been special attention paid to it, as the club gears up to be host the Walker Cup this September.
Next up: Castle Stuart
Welcome to Royal Aberdeen
Great first hole hitting towards North Sea and & oil maintenance boats
An example of the bumpy and unpredictable fairways
Tee shot at #7
Pete and our caddy, Ewan pose on the sand dunes high above the Sea
Remnants of the old railway protect the 15th green
The gorse is at its most brilliant yellow in the spring
Standing on the 16th tee box
The approach at 18 with the clubhouse standing watch