Kings Links

Kings Links is one of several wonderful links courses on the Aberdeenshire coastline, and the closest of those to the city of Aberdeen.

It is just a mile from the city centre, but plays as a proper links layout that stretches past the 6,400-yard mark from the back tees.

Dating back to 1876, when it was extended to 18 holes, it is one of the oldest 18-hole layouts still in play in the United Kingdom, and remains much the same as it was 150 years ago.

Visit the Sport Aberdeen website for Kings Links here.

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Although the opening date of the current golf course at Kings Links was in 1872, golf was being played in this part of the world more than 200 years prior.

1872 saw the construction and formal opening of the current layout on the Aberdeenshire coastline, which originally began life as a 7-hole layout.

It was four years later before the course was extended to 18 holes, with the original holes still part of the current layout.

As you would expect from its positioning on the Aberdeenshire coastline, and from its name, Kings Links is a true links layout. There are plenty of sand traps, many of which are of the pot variety, along with bug dunes and undulating fairways and greens. With four par 5s and a quintet of par 3s, Kings Links plays as a par 71 venue, which runs past 6,400 yards from the tips.

The opening hole at Kings Links is a 375-yard par 4 which has a generous fairway for you to find off the 1st tee. It moves slightly round to the right, around the boundary of the golf centre, with the approach played to a green that is protected by two pot bunkers. The 2nd is more than 405 yards, and if it wasn’t for the dunes on the right of this hole, you would be looking straight out to sea. Another wide fairway lies in wait, before the hole narrows towards the putting surface. A pair of pot bunkers sit on the right side of the green. The first of the short holes comes at the 3rd. It is 172 yards, and plays downhill over mounds and dunes to a large, round surface. Anything long or right of the green will find itself nestling into some thick rough.

Following the first short hole is the first par 5. ‘Bunker’ is only 485 yards off the tips, but you can see why it is aptly named when looking from the tee. A narrow fairway is protected by sand, while there are three more traps by the green. Find the fairway off the tee, and it is reachable in two. The 5th starts with a semi-blind tee shot on this dog-leg right. The green, which is shared with the 13th, is situated way right of the marker post, with the post being the ideal line to find the centre of the fairway. 6 is arrow straight and with a wide fairway, so driver is certainly the play here. It plays across a road which runs through the property, to a green that is triangular-shaped, with bunkers sitting front left and front right. The 7th is the first of the par 5s over 500 yards at Kings Links. It plays just shy of 510, and moves slightly round to the right. Again, a wide fairway awaits, with two bunkers down the right side. Two more cross bunkers sit around 80 yards short of the green so if you are laying up, avoid those!

The 8th is the longest of the par 3s at 205 yards. Two bunkers sit front left and right, but there is space for an approach to be run through the fairway and up to the green. The 9th is the longest hole on the course at 550 yards. This long par 5 brings the front nine to a solid close. It plays as a dog-leg from left to right, with only the longer hitters being able to get it to, or past, the corner. A wide green awaits, with two bunkers protecting the front side. The 10th is a great short hole. It is 180 yards and plays over a valley to a slightly elevated green. Anything short, and your ball may roll back down the slope. Another semi-blind tee shot kicks off the 11th – a hole that runs steeply downhill from tee to green. A good drive could keep rolling all the way to the front of the green.

12 is a drivable par 4 at just 280 yards. Like 11, it plays downhill, but there five large bunkers in play at the green. The safe play is out to the right to find the fairway. Another wide landing zone is in play on 13, with plenty of space out to the left side. The green, part of that double green with 5, is guarded by three decent-sized traps. The 14th is 430 yards and one of the longest par 4s on the course. The drive is important here, to give yourself the best chance of finding the relatively small green with your second shot. The last of the par 5s comes at 15, and it is only 495 yards in length. Again, a wide fairway lies in wait, and longer hitters will fancy their chances of making it with their second shot, to give themselves a chance at eagle.

The closing stretch features a pair of par 3s and a par 4 in between. The first of those short holes is the 16th – a 173-yard par 3 which plays with the backdrop of the city. There is no sand by the green, one of the few on the course that is relatively unprotected. The last of the par 4s is the penultimate hole at Kings Links, and anything wide right will find itself on the road. The hole moves slightly from right to left, along with the boundary of the course. The final challenge at this Aberdeenshire venue is also a par 3. Taking you back to the clubhouse, the 18th is 190 yards and features three bunkers short of the green. Carry all of that and you might well have a birdie putt on the last!

Where is Kings Links located?

Kings Links is located in Aberdeen, with the heart of the city just a mile or so to the south of the golf club. The course is situated along the eastern coastline of Scotland, with Aberdeen Beach running alongside the layout. Pittodrie – Aberdeen FC’s stadium – is also just across the road from the entrance to the club.

Thanks to its location, Aberdeen is also the home to both the nearest train station and international airport. The train station is around two miles from the golf club, with trains running north to Inverness, along with plenty of destinations in the south, such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the occasional train to London Kings Cross. Aberdeen International Airport is only six miles from Kings Links, and it is the fourth busiest airport in the country behind Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

There are plenty of stunning golf courses in and around Aberdeen, many of which are on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Royal Aberdeen is situated just across the River Don at the northern end of Kings Links, while the likes of Murcar Links, Trump International, Newmachar’s Hawkshill Course and Cruden Bay, with its Championship and St Olaf Courses, are all within 25 miles.

What golf facilities does Kings Links offer?

Next door to the golf club sits the Kings Links Golf Centre. At the centre, there is a full-length driving range with more than 50 bays. There is also a short game area there, while the club itself has a putting green next to the opening hole of the golf course. 

Find out more information about the Kings Links Golf Centre here. 

What are the green fees at Kings Links?

The price of a green fee at Kings Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Kings Links, visit their booking site here.