Carnoustie Golf Links

Carnoustie, Scotland

About

Course Architect: Championship: Allan Robertson, Old tom Morris & James Braid
Number of Holes: 54
Par: Championship: Par 72
Distances: Championship: 6353 metres / 6,948 Yards
Course Type: Links
Club Type: Golf Resort & Club
Address: Links House, Links Parade, Carnoustie DD7 7JE, United Kingdom
Contact Us: [email protected]

Location

Start Planning Your Journey Today

Discover

Known as ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’, Carnoustie, the venue of three outstanding golf courses, The Championship Course, The Burnside Course and The Buddon Links is a place where legends are born. Tom Watson won his first of 5 Open Championships on the Championship Links and Ben Hogan won his only Open Championship there after practising on the nearby Panmure Golf Course. For golfers everywhere, Carnoustie is a magical destination. It is considered one of the most challenging places to play golf anywhere. Onsite is the Carnoustie Golf Hotel which overlooks the infamous golf links and provides ideal golfer lodging in the heart of Carnoustie. The three golf courses have been created and refined by some of the most iconic names in golf history to make the most of the dramatic natural elements in this incredible location. Various images supplied by Gary Lisbon and Carnoustie.

Golf Course Information

The Championship Course

The Championship Course has hosted almost ten Open Championships, one Women’s British 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 and in 2018 The Open Championship returned to the course. In 2018, the Championship Course was voted Best Golf Course in Scotland over £100 by the general public, the second time it has won the award in the past three years. As one of the oldest courses in the world, Carnoustie Championship Course has been played by all the greatest golfing names.

With a daunting cocktail of gales, thick rough and devilish bunkers, all set against a stunning Scottish landscape, Carnoustie has earned its reputation as one of the most challenging courses in Britain. According to Golf Digest in June 2011, it’s also one of the top 50 UK and Ireland Links courses. The Course has a par of 72, coming in at 6,353 metres, and was designed by Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris & James Braid.

Burnside Course

The Burnside oozes character and from the back tees is a splendid test of golf. Many of the short holes could grace the top links courses around 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 on this course in 1953 where the great Ben Hogan shot 70 to help him qualify for the Open Championship which he subsequently won. The short holes are a real feature on the Burnside and the 158-yard 5th, named “Burn” and 228-yard 14th, called “Scoup” would not be out of place on any championship course.

A strong finish is to be faced, with the long par four 17th – “Sinkies” – measuring all of 473 yards and as difficult a par four to be found anywhere. No respite either at the 307-yard, par four, 18th hole, called “Lismore” where the out of bounds fence has wrecked many a scorecard. The Burnside course is par 68, coming in at 5512-metres, and was designed by James Braid.

Buddon Links Course

The newest of the three courses at Carnoustie, originally designed by Peter Alliss and the late Dave Thomas on land that was formerly part of the ladies’ course and Ministry of Defence land, hence the reason why the holes are named after battles. The course was opened for play in 1981. Since then many changes have taken place including the most recent investment in two new holes in 2014 bringing the course up to a very testing par 68. It provides golfers with some of the best views of the beach and sea the Angus town has to offer. Built on former Ministry of Defence land, each hole is named after a famous historic battle and over the years the course has undergone a transformation ensuring the course is an enjoyable challenge for all. Far shorter than either the Championship or the Burnside, the Buddon Links course has seven par threes and only one par five and is, therefore, a much less demanding test of golf that provides an enjoyable round for all standards of golfers. The Buddon Links Course is par-68, at 5414-metres. It was designed by Peter Allicss & Dave Thomas.

Venue Information

The Rookery is the restaurant at Carnoustie Golf Links. For as long as anyone can remember, crows have made their name in that area. In fact, legend has it that the old Scots name, ‘Craws Nestie’ is where our much-loved Carnoustie got its name. Over the years these resourceful, community-minded birds have made their home in our coastal town, as, like golf, they belong in this challenging and formidable place. They call it home. We call it The Rookery. You’ll find the restaurant on the upper floor of Links House at Carnoustie Golf Links, enjoying expansive views over this iconic golf course and to the sea beyond. Carnoustie Golf Links has everything you’d expect from a world class golfing complex. They feature a fully stocked pro-shop, practice facilities, lockers, changing room, a clubhouse and of course, rental equipment.

It’s not just outdoor golf that is on offer to visitors at Carnoustie these days. Situated within Links House – the new Golf Centre opened in April 2018 – are seven state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators, allowing visitors to practice their swing or test themselves on some of the best courses around including the Championship Course and Pebble Beach. The simulators are available for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s your first time picking up a club or you want to try something different with the family.