Golfing in and around Montrose
While staying at The Haven Guest House, a couple of golfers were kind enough to answer some questions about their experience on their favourite golf course around the Montrose area. Here are some of their comments;
"I was playing Panmure golf course and it was for final local qualifying for
the British open. To qualify you have to first get through regional
qualifying which is made up of about twenty golf courses with roughly 120
competitors at each venue, with only the top 18 from each venue progressing
to final qualifying. Then there are four courses close to the British open
venue for that year where around 100 golfers fight it out for 3 qualifying
places at each course...very tough!!
The hardest hole at Panmure is probably the sixth, which is named Hogan’s
hole, after the golfing legend Ben Hogan. It is a very demanding par 4 with
a very well protected green; a hole where you always need more club on the
second shot.
It is a stunning course to play and a real test for amateurs and
professionals alike. Although tough it is very fair and good shots will
always be rewarded and bad ones punished!
Par for the course is 70 and my best score was my second round of 68, which
left me in 14th position.
There are many hidden gems around the area and a real must for anyone who enjoys a real golfing challenge. Panmure is a must play for anyone visiting the area."
David Hutton, Wilts
John: We played Panmure, Montrose and Edzell
L: Why? J: For fun
J: Lots of ways...be in the world's top 50, a former winner, member of the European or US Ryder Cup Teams, win the Scottish Open, etc., or win a qualifying competition like the ones at Panmure and Montrose the week before we came up
L: Are you a professional golfer and if so, for how long?
J: Complete amateur, but I have played since I was 7
L: What was the hardest hole on the course, and why?
J: At Edzell the 16th. Blind second shot, out of bounds on the left
L: Any tips on the best to play it?
J: Walk up to the green before you play your approach shot to look at the lay of the land
L: Is the course a difficult one to play and if so, what makes it challenging?
J: Edzell is not that hard. It is very scenic. Set in the woods. Not a links course. Very well kept. You have to keep the ball on the fairways. If you go off line it will punish you.
L: Is it a course that non-professionals would enjoy playing?
J: Definitely and a real contrast to the Links of Montrose and Panmure
L: What is the par for the course? J: I think 71
L: What was your best score? J: I shot 84
L: Is this an area of Britain that you'd recommend for golfers?
J: Definitely...some of the best courses in the UK. Carnhoustie should not be missed
John Allbrook, Oxon
Montrose Medal Golf Course
Montrose Medal Golf Course is the fifth oldest in the world, with the first known recording being 1562. A true links course and a real teat of golf with undulating fairways and fast greens. It's a qualifying course for the British Open Golf Championship 2007 and many championships have been played here prior.
| Hole | Yards | Par | Hole | Yards | Par |
| 1 | 391 | 4 | 10 | 395 | 4 |
| 2 | 391 | 4 | 11 | 444 | 4 |
| 3 | 154 | 3 | 12 | 176 | 3 |
| 4 | 365 | 4 | 13 | 320 | 4 |
| 5 | 292 | 4 | 14 | 414 | 4 |
| 6 | 490 | 5 | 15 | 555 | 5 |
| 7 | 368 | 4 | 16 | 235 | 3 |
| 8 | 329 | 4 | 17 | 418 | 4 |
| 9 | 444 | 4 | 18 | 363 | 4 |
| Out | 3224 | 36 | In | 3320 | 35 |
| Out | 3224 | 36 | |||
| Total | 6544 | 71 |
Traill Drive, Montrose, DD10 8SW
W: www.montroselinks.co.uk T: 01674 672932 E: secretary@montroselinks.co.uk
Montrose Broomfield Course
The Montrose Broomfield Course is laid out on a relatively level plane, making it easy for golfers to play 36 holes in one day . In the summer, when the ground is dry and fast is the best time to enjoy the turf on this links-like course.
Traill Drive, Montrose, DD10 8SW
W: www.montroselinks.co.uk T: 01674 672932 E: secretary@montroselinks.co.uk
Monifieth Medal Course
Monifieth's Medal Course is a mixture of parkland and links, undulating ground flanked by pine trees on many holes. The course here was established in 1643 and holds two good challenges, one on the 4th and one on the 5th. The shorter neighbouring course, is also entertaining and pleasurable to play and ideal for a warm up to the Medal Course.
Princes Street, Monifieth, DD8 4
W: www.monifiethgolf.co.uk T: 01382 532767 E: starter@monifiethgolf.co.uk
Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1 338 4 10 369 4 2 414 4 11 283 3 3 429 4 12 374 4 4 456 4 13 432 4 5 191 3 14 158 3 6 382 4 15 376 4 7 417 4 16 340 4 8 284 4 17 435 4 9 547 5 18 530 5 Out 3458 36 In 3197 35 Out 3458 36 Total 6655 71
Carnoustie Country
With over 30 courses, the second driest climate in the UK and, more importantly, two Open championship courses and five qualifiers, Carnoustie is undoubtedly a must for all golfers. Carnoustie Country is set in beautiful countryside. With the Angus Glens, picturesque villages, stunning coast line and bustling towns Carnoustie has it all.
The courses provide challenging links, bracing heathland courses and classic parkland. For more information, please ask us for the Carnoustie Country guide.
Links Parade, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7JE
W: www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk T: 01241 853789 E: golf@carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk
Panmure
Panmure is near Carnoustie and has hosted many regional and national championships. Although it is less conspicuous than the neighbouring courses, it is still a definite gem of the Angus coast. In general the greens are smaller and the bunkers are deep so this can prove fairly difficult for high-handicappers and novices, and low-handicappers will need to give some thought to their positional play.
Barry, Carnoustie, DD7 7RT
W: www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk T: 01241 855120 E: secretary@panmuregolfclub.co.uk
Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1 302 4 10 436 4 2 488 5 11 168 3 3 404 4 12 396 4 4 352 4 13 396 4 5 144 3 14 533 5 6 414 4 15 234 3 7 449 4 16 381 4 8 361 4 17 401 4 9 180 3 18 462 4 Out 3094 35 In 3407 35 Out 3094 35 Total 6501 70
Downfield
Downfield is set in a mature estate on the outskirts of Dundee and has a much-deserved reputation as an attractive and challenging course. There are many good par threes and fours but it's the par fives that really set it apart from the other courses. The 11th hole is the greatest of the course, and as such is the club's signature hole. It has two water features protecting the green which has many slopes and barrows.
Links Parade, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7JE
W: www.downfieldgolf.co.uk T: 01382 825595 E: downfieldgc@aol.com
Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1 425 4 10 434 4 2 408 4 11 498 5 3 228 3 12 182 3 4 552 5 13 480 5 5 393 4 14 515 5 6 177 3 15 326 4 7 491 5 16 352 4 8 407 4 17 151 3 9 414 4 18 384 4 Out 3495 36 In 3322 37 Out 3495 36 Total 6817 73
St Andrews Old Course
If you are already in the Carnoustie area, or even if not, St Andrews Old Course is one not to be missed. It isn't easy to obtain advanced bookings for tee time but golfers visiting the area can put their names forward for the daily ballot as long as they are prepared to return if their name is picked. Daily ballot results can be checked on the internet, by phone, via St Andrews Links Committee or at local tourist offices.
Teeing off at the first hole must be the greatest test of an average golfer's skills, but technically it is still an easy opener. The Old Course demands a wide variety of shots so doesn't favour any particular player, it tests every part of your game.
Plimour House, St Andrews, KY16 9SF
W: www.standrews.org.uk T: 01334 466666 E: linkstrust@standrews.org.uk
Useful links
GOLF
Montrose Golf Course
St. Andrews - 50 miles
Edzell - 20 miles
Carnoustie - 20 miles
