Alford Golf Club

A proper wee golf course that punches above its weight. Alford Golf Club sits on the edge of the Aberdeenshire village and offers 18 holes that wind through countryside without the fussiness of some of the bigger clubs down south. The course is well-maintained, the greens run true, and there's enough variety in the layout to keep you interested across the round.

This is the sort of place where locals actually play, which means you're not paying championship rates or dealing with corporate day groups. The walk from Alford itself is manageable if you fancy it, though most folk drive. Allow a solid four hours for a full round, maybe three and a half if you're sharp.

It works brilliantly if you're staying at Haughton Holiday Park just down the road - you could easily fit nine holes in before dinner or do the full 18 if you're making a golfing weekend of it. The clubhouse is unpretentious, the staff know what they're doing, and it's the kind of course that suits golfers who care more about a decent game than impressing anyone.

Worth checking their website first for current rates and whether you need to arrange a time in advance - some smaller clubs get busy at weekends. If you're in Aberdeenshire and fancy hitting some balls without the theatre, this delivers exactly what it promises.