The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club can trace its origins to 1780. This date is taken from a brass inscription on the ballot box in possession of the club. Admission was by ballot and all applications had to be ‘on the table’ for three months. Apart from the date, the words 'Yea' and 'Nay' are written over the holes into which balls for or against membership were dropped. The club also has rules in its possession dating to 1783. Black Ball admission was common to private societies at this time.

For the first thirty-five years of its existence the club was known as The Society of Golfers at Aberdeen and they played on the Queen's Links in Aberdeen and over the Broad Hill.  This course boasts the first reference in history to the golf hole, described in more detail on the page on the early history of golf in Aberdeen.

In 1783, the club also apparently introduced ‘the five minute rule‘ on searching for golf balls, apparently the first club to do so.  Law XII of the Aberdonians’ ‘Laws of the Game’ said

In 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, the Aberdeen Golf Club was created and incorporated the old Society of golfers. In 1903 His Majesty King Edward VII conferred the Royal title on the club and became Patron of the Club.

Balgownie Hole 6 Click image for larger picture

In 1888 the club moved to the links at Balgownie at Bridge of Don, because of crowding on Kings Links.

The Balgownie course was originally designed by the Archie and Robert Simpson of Carnoustie and in 1925 it was given ‘cosmetic refinements’ by James Braid. There is now a second, shorter 18 hole course, the Silverburn.

More details of the history of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club are available on their website.

More details of early golf at Aberdeen

More details of 1783 Aberdeen Rules of Golf
 

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