Ran,
I prefer Deal to Royal Aberdeen...
They are very close in my estimation but the back 9 at Deal is what seals it.
The crumpling of the links at RCP is the key. While the sand hills at Aberdeen are bigger and make you feel more insignificant, the movement is the fairways at RCP is greater.
There are so many bumps and pimples and mounds at RCP that you often feel like you are swiming thru channels in the ocean. It requires you notice your lie on every shot and factor that into the prevailing wind and pin position.
I felt I was forced to think more at RCP than Royal Aberdeen and therefore felt that strategy was more in play. The green complexes are definitely more intricate and full of contour that at RA.
I would rate the front 9 at RA an 8 and the back a 6..So a solid 7 overall..
I would give Deal's front 9 a 7 on the Doak Scale and the back a 9..So overall an 8..
Still I could play links golf with holes like #2 at RA or #3, 15-17 at Deal everyday..