Montrose (Medal)
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.
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.
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.
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.
There’s wonderful shape to the course, especially on the back nine.
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