Panmure
Montrose( Medal)
Golf has been played on these links since 1562. That alone should tempt any golfer but this is as traditional as links golf gets. The design stamp of approval belongs to Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Jr., but you get the feeling this land had always been destined to host golf holes. It’ s all in the rhythm and sway of the dunes and the firm fairways streaking between nests of gorse. You need to play smart golf here, both from the tee( there are some blind shots) and especially on approaches to large greens where you can find yourself a long way from the pin. You start beside the shoreline which offers the best views before returning slightly inland. There’ s a second 18 here and the value is excellent for a course that hosted Final Qualifying for the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Scotscraig
This original 18 hole layout of 1905 was renovated by James Braid in 1923, and little has changed since then. The course blends links with heathland as it lies slightly away from the North Sea. It’ s a combination of crisp, tight, sandy turf, pine tree-lined fairways and blazes of colour. Such unique flourishes make Scotscraig an intriguing round of golf. The low, rumbling fairways deliver a testing mix of holes that sweep through the trees, across ridges and over chasms. Greens lie naturally and you can attack them in different ways but you need to be cautious off the tee: wayward driving only leads to trouble especially if you find the heather, or the trees … or the gorse. Find the fairways and Scotscraig will reward you handsomely.
Pitlochry
The golf club sits on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, wrapped in all that Scottish mountain beauty. There are not many golf clubs up this way, but Pitlochry is worth the journey, rolling over heaving terrain that adds considerably to the challenges and also the charm of its location. It may be short but with its hillsides( the first three holes go up and up) it is testing … especially around the small fast greens. Your short game will need to be razor sharp as several of the par fours are around the 300 yard mark, and both the bunkering and green complexes can be devious. And yet every shot is a pleasure – especially the par threes. The club has changed little over the decades which only adds to its appeal.
Panmure
Panmure lies between Carnoustie and Monifieth, creating an impressive string of links courses. Golf started here on 1899, and it is famous for hosting Ben Hogan, who visited before his 1953 Open victory. Set slightly inland, with trees scattered around the course it is a par of 70, measuring 6,550 yards( back tees). It plays straight out and back with the wind typically in your face to start. Three of the par threes, however, are set at 90 degree angles so the cross-winds will tease you mercilessly. You start slow and gentle as three holes take you out to – and back from – the core of the course. They ease you in before the dunes kick up their heels and holes become more dramatic. Undulating fairways, low dunes, semi-blind shots, slippery greens and sweet variety … and it is summed brilliantly by one hole: the 6th. Named Hogan, it is a worthy Index 1.( See photo above.)
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