Following another busy golf season, we are reinvesting directly back into your courses with a programme of winter works, to further improve the overall golf experience.

Working in partnership with turf specialists the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), our grounds maintenance contractor idverde UK and Aberdeen City Council, we will begin our winter golf course improvement works programme from Tuesday 1 November, ensuring that all four of our 18-hole golf courses are completed for the start of the new golf season in 2023.    

With a high volume of rounds played over the last year, we anticipate another busy season in next year and continue to strive to provide the best possible golfing conditions for our customers and members.

Main greens will be retained as much as possible throughout the winter period; however, this will be dictated by ground temperatures.

Course protection measures implemented from Tuesday 1 November

• Fairway mats must be used and will be available to purchase from the golf starters boxes. Please show your fairway mat to the golf starter and use when teeing off with an iron, on the fairway and around the greens. The mats are not required from the rough.
• Bunkers will be marked as Ground Under Repair (GUR). Please lift and drop from the bunkers at no penalty.
• Tee boxes will be moved, and tee mats will be introduced, particularly on par-three holes.
• Walking routes will be introduced to protect well-trodden areas and allow recovery. Please respect roped areas and walk around these as directed by on course signage.

Please note: the main greens at all 18-hole courses will be taken out of play during January and February 2023 to rest.

Outline of overall improvements works

Our strategy for the protection of tees, greens and fairways across all 18-hole golf courses is outlined below.

Tree management – Working alongside Aberdeen City Council, we have identified certain trees with canopies which may stop natural light from reaching particular greens and tee boxes.   

Lack of light during the winter is a key contributor to prolonged ice and frost coverage and stops ground temperatures from rising and root zones recovering, so management of these canopies is essential.

Bunker revetting – We will protect the integrity of key bunkers and improve the aesthetic of greenside and fairway pot bunkers for a better playing experience.

Tee levelling – We will provide a level surface for teeing off, giving more tee marker placement options to reduce wear and tear on the tees.

Course furniture improvements (bins, signage and distance markers) – We endeavour to enhance the course aesthetic and will do this by responding to regular feedback from visitors.

Routine annual winter course maintenance to greens – Brushing, light verticutting (or vertical mowing), deep aeration, top dressing and application of wetting agents and other treatments to promote the regeneration of root systems and discourage fungal disease.

Improvements at each golf course

All golf courses will have new irrigation boxes supplied and fitted with on/off taps at each hole. Each course will undergo routine management to soil and seed worn areas in preparation for the new season.

MacKenzie Championship

• Gravel banding to aid drainage on 18^th hole
• Replace broken tee sleepers on holes 2 and 8
• Level fairway drainage lines on holes 1, 3, 15 and 18
• Clear storm damaged tree area and plant heather plugs at hole 15
• Tree management programme

Hazlehead Pines

• Tee levelling and redevelopment of pathway at hole 15
• Replace broken tee sleepers on holes 7 and 17
• Tree management programme

Kings Links

• Bunker revetting on holes 3 and 4
• Sand replacement in all remaining bunkers
• Replace wooden sleepers from path to tee at hole 14
• Installation of fairway 150/100 yardage markers

Balnagask

• Cut and lift all rough grass areas as recommended for biodiversity
• Tee box improvements on holes 8, 9 and 11
• Replace practice area net
• Installation of fairway 150/100 yardage markers

We appreciate your patience and understanding while these works take place. We will publish photos of works as they are progressing, so keep an eye on our Golf Aberdeen Facebook page for regular updates here.  

We hope you enjoy your golf over the winter. ⛳