Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world, set just north of Aberdeen on Scotland's northeast coastline. This stretch of land along the North Sea yields some of Scotland's most dramatic dunesland. The front nine especially is set on the must rugged terrain and is renowned as one of Scotland's finest. The course is considered one of Scotland's most challenging, especially with the high winds that can often be a factor on this side of the island. The course was a host to the 2005 Senior British Open, won by Tom Watson.

Murcar Golf Links is located right next door, and Cruden Bay lies about a half hour's drive to the north, which makes for a fine stretch of links courses on any golf tour. -- Brandon Tucker

Being the sister golf course of the Balgownie Links course at Royal Aberdeen - host of the 2005 Open Championship - it's easy for the Silverburn Course at Royal Aberdeen to be overlooked, though not by locals.

A short 18-hole course that comes in at just over 4,000 yards, Silverburn is the perfect place to get some work in on your game while even being tested a bit on a few of the holes. Nonetheless, it's a golf course with a more laidback attitude and stress-free ambiance compared to its famous sister.

Part of an area where golf has true ancient antiquity, the Silverburn Course gives golfers different look at links golf with the maintenance and service one would expect from Royal Aberdeen.

Location: North side of the city, beyond mouth of river Don. Northbound on main road from Aberdeen, turn right at traffic lights, after the bridge (Links Road) fork left 50 yds further on.