Carnoustie Country
“I’m constantly asked which course I like the best in the entire world and give the same old answer: Carnoustie Championship!”
I might be biased! This was my home turf and when considering such things you can only go on personal experiences. Despite its fearsome reputation, I’ve enjoyed some of my best rounds on ‘Car-nasty’.
ANCIENT LINKS
“These ancient links formed where the River Tay pours into the North Sea. ”
The first recorded indication of the game at Carnoustie dates back to 1560. In the mid-1800s, a 10-hole track was established by the leading golf pro of the day, Allan Robertson. Later, Old Tom Morris extended that to 18. It was in 1926 that James Braid prepared the course for its first Open Championship held in 1931.
“Three 18-hole courses now occupy these irregular triangular links. There could easily be more! ”
Barry Buddon, as the area is dubbed could comfortably accommodate another two super 18-holers. However, the British Army commandeered part of this sandy peninsula in the late 1800s and still use it today as a rifle range.
Carnoustie’s other two courses, the Buddon and the Burnside are similar in setting to the Championship course and worthy tests that would stand high on any listing of Scotland’s best - if they were sited elsewhere!
I’ve always favoured the Buddon, partly because I learned the game here. It has been developed into a more challenging test in recent years with the addition of two new holes.
It’s worth noting, that you can play all three Carnoustie courses over 3 consecutive days for a combination price that makes for exceedingly good value.
The Buddon Course is a delightful combination of links and heathland with a touch of parkland thrown in - as a bonus!
PERFECT PANMURE
Panmure 12th is divided by the trees with Monifieth’s Medal Course.
Panmure Golf Club sits at the south side of town. Ben Hogan prepared himself at Panmure ahead of his 1953 Open victory at Carnoustie. The 6th is a hole he particularly relished, a testing dog leg rising to an elevated green, protected by copious gorse bushes with the main East Coast railway line running behind. Hogan suggested adding a greenside bunker to tighten the right-hand side and making it one of the most challenging par 4s in Scotland.
MONIFIETH MEDAL
“Monifieth’s two links courses stand next door to Panmure. ”
The 7th at Monifeith Medal is a great driving hole, usually into the wind with a snaky, sneaky burn to carry.
Carnoustie’s coast at this point offers uninterrupted golf. When I lived in the area, I enjoyed my winter rounds at Monifieth. Both its Medal and Ashludie courses are a pleasure to play at any time of the year. The Ashludie is shorter yet it has some entertaining holes. Meanwhile, the Medal is an uncompromising test of all of your skills, especially in to a stiff southwesterly. This is an Open Qualifying course when the event is held at nearby Carnoustie and is one of the most underrated links in Scotland!
At the turn, the 7th at Arbroath marks a more linksy experience.
Travelling slightly north, the town of Arbroath offers a nice little seaside track, not as sand-supported as its Carnoustie neighbours but a stern enough test into the wind. Its best section starts at the delightful 7th, a par 3 usually buffeted by a side breeze across the fields followed by more linksy return all the way home.
WORLD’S 5TH OLDEST COURSE
The 16th at Montrose Medal was a favourite of Ben Crenshaw, who incorporated it into some of his worldwide design projects.
A further 12 miles north, Montrose Golf Links is the 5th oldest golf course in the world, the first recorded game played here in 1562. At that time King James V was on the Scottish throne and Queen Elizabeth I occupied the English while her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, was working on her short game and at the same time trying to keep her head.
At one point, Montrose’s main course offered 25 continuous holes, the largest number of any in Scotland until Old Tom set the standard to 18. In October 1888, Montrose held an Open competition with players including Old Tom Morris, Ben Sayers, Willie Fernie and Willie Park Jr. I love to play these gnarly old links, an authentic experience of how the game has been played over several centuries.
COUNTRY COUSINS
“The Angus Glens are often in view as you play many of the region’s links, and it’s here you will discover some excellent heathland examples. ”
Hole 14, a tricky par 3 called ‘Majuba’ plays longer than the card with a deceptive tilt to the green.
Scottish heathland golf is almost as unique as its seaside counterparts with firm, free-draining turf that is a joy to play off. A short drive inland from Montrose, Edzell Golf Club is one of the best examples. Overlooked by the magnificent rolling hills of the Angus Glens, five-time Open champion James Braid established this layout in 1933. The course still bears his hallmarks!
Brechin is a nice parkland/heathland with constant, beautiful views of the Angus Glens.
More parkland in nature, Brechin is worth considering for a leisurely round. Again, it benefits from exquisite views of the nearby Angus Glens.
The 17th at Forfar gives some indication of the course’s links-style terrain even though it’s 15 miles from the nearest sea.
A little south, Forfar appears like rippling seaside links, although it’s 15 miles from the nearest shore. The markedly undulating fairways were created in the 19th century when the land was used to dry flax, leaving long, turfed waves that play havoc with your lies.
Home to Peter Pan author JM Barrie and AC/DC’s Bon Scott, Kirriemuir Golf Club stays perennially fresh.
Kirriemuir also offers an unusual heathland test, one of the shorter courses in the Angus region but its slick, sloping greens and tight, tree-lined fairways make par always a bonus.
