Aboyne

The string of fine courses in the sturdy towns which lie at regular intervals alongside the Dee all have their individual charm; this one is a bit special. For a start, it sits above the town beside Aboyne Loch rather than - as in the case of the other venues - within touching distance of the Dee. The character of the course is therefore a bit different. The layout itself is full of variety and there’s a new challenge on every tee. You kick off with one of those testing, long par threes, from which you may depart one over par before you’ve warmed up. The outward nine is flatter, but things change as you head for the higher inward half, where five doglegs call for good shot placement off the tee. The finish, uniquely, is like the start - a long, testing par three - and post-match discussions will doubtless include many superlatives about another lovely Deeside course