Carnoustie
Carnoustie
Widely regarded as the toughest course on the Open rota,
Carnoustie is also one of the toughest courses, full stop.
Certainly the closing three holes have delivered the most
dramatic finishes in Open history (Paul Lawrie, 1999, and Padraig
Harrington, 2007), but the entire links presents the sort of
challenge to strike fear and awe into a golfer’s heart. Bunkering is
deep and positioned to be penal – just look at the par five 6th
(Hogan’s Alley) – but underneath that cruel veil lies an utterly
brilliant and fair golf course. There are no blind shots so you
know what is required as you play over low, tangled dunes. James
Braid updated Old Tom Morris’s design in the 1920s, and the
course has been mostly untouched since then. Beware holes 17
and 18, where you must cross the famous Barry’s Burn five times.
Crail (Craighead)
Set on a headland, above its Balcomie sibling, the Craighead course
is a very different animal. It is a modern course which has been
designed as a links (by Gil Hanse in 1998). It may not be true links
land but that doesn’t stop the wind whipping in across the exposed
terrain. With no two holes flowing in the same direction, the wind
can bamboozle the best. There is some remarkable history here and
it is an integral part of the course: Danes Dyke is a 1200 year old
wall built by the Vikings, and it affects four holes. Add to that a full
blooded par 72 course, with links-style bunkering and big, sharply
contoured greens, and you have a wonderful setting for golf.
Crail (Balcomie)
Laid out along a promontory which juts into the North Sea, the
Balcomie links is a par 69, measuring 5,900 yards from the back tees.
Don’t let that fool you though, for the ever-present wind has to
be tackled all day long. This is traditional links, laid out by Old Tom
Morris, and the front nine are all on show from the high 1st tee. It
promises an adrenaline-fuelled start, as you are then asked to drive
over the beach on holes 4 and 5. The six par threes use the dune
tops (and a cliff or two) to perfection and you will enjoy thrilling golf
the whole way around. Sweet greens and stunning views, too. The
Craighead course makes Crail a delightful double act.
Downfield
Set amidst deep woodland, Downfield has that sweet, lazy parkland
feel where holes are embraced by mature trees and several greens
are cocooned by them. It makes for a sublime setting. Downfield
was designed originally by James Braid, in 1932, although only a
few of his holes remain. It is often listed among Britain’s favourite
parklands. Given that water appears on seven holes and you are
constantly overshadowed by the endless and elegant woodland, this
is no surprise. The course plays to a par of 70 or 73. Three par fives
(back tees) become formidable par fours from the forward tees.
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