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( 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, open links, laid out by Old Tom Morris, and several holes are on show from the high 1st tee. It promises an adrenaline-fuelled start, which continues as you must drive over the beach on holes 4 and 5. The course is quite narrow as it works its way along the seashore and the six par threes use the dune tops( and a cliff or two) to perfection. Stunning views. The Craighead course makes Crail a delightful double act.
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.
Alyth
Laid out on moorland by Old Tom Morris, Alyth opened as a nine hole course in 1894. It was later extended to 18 revised by James Braid, creating another excellent combination of work by these two legendary designers. Holes move over rolling heathland, constantly chaperoned by trees. It makes Alyth a fun and colourful round of golf. But not necessarily easy: despite its short length( 6,200 yards) accuracy is key as the folds of the land ask questions of every golfer and burns make quite a nuisance of themselves … especially on the par four 5th signature hole( The Brig), where you must cross water twice. Alyth was awarded‘ Best Course Under £ 50’ at the 2015 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.
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