Carnoustie

There are 3 courses at Carnoustie. Apart from the world-famous Championship Course, there are 2 other excellent courses: the Burnside Course and the Buddon Links.

The Championship Course has hosted eight Open Championships, one Ladies Open and two Seniors Open making it one of the very few to have done so in the UK. It is one of the three courses used for the annual Dunhill Links, the others being Kingsbarns and the Old Course in St Andrews. Generally regarded as the toughest of the Open venues for those who understand the game a little more will know it is probably the fairest too. Without doubt though Carnoustie Championship Course does have the toughest closing stretch of holes anywhere and those finishing the final four holes with no more than a bogey should be suitably content with their play.

The Burnside is often overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour but it oozes character and from the back tees is a splendid test of golf. Many of the short holes would compare with any Championship Course anywhere with the 5th and 14th in particular providing dramatic challenges for the player who strives to gain his par 3. The finish is also strong with the 17th proving to be one of the hardest par 4’s that can be found anywhere in golf and many a score has been ruined by the out of bounds fence at the 18th. It was here in 1953 where the great Ben Hogan shot 70 to help him qualify for the Open Championship which he subsequently won.

The newest of the three courses at Carnoustie originally designed by Peter Alliss and the late Dave Thomas the course was opened in 1979. Since then many changes have taken place including the most recent $1m investment in two new holes bringing the course up to a very testing par 68.