Carnoustie Golf Links
Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
According to local caddie folklore, the town of Carnoustie got its name from the Battle of Barry in 1010. In response to the death of their leader, Danish invaders were said to have put a curse on the town, setting crows loose to create havoc. The town became known as "Craw's Nestie" (crow's nest) and, eventually, Carnoustie.
Golf makes this tiny town tick. Welcoming and unassuming, the vibe here is very relaxed. You would never feel as if you're about to play one of the most challenging golf courses in the world. A similar atmosphere to that of Bethpage in New York, Carnoustie feels like it is "the people's country club" of Scotland.
While there are few sea views, Carnoustie's terrain plays pure links. With wind, gorse, and severe bunkering, the course is routinely mentioned among golf's most demanding tests. The rough can be brutal, the fairways are tight, and some bunkers are impossible to escape. Carnoustie makes you work. There are few easy shots out there. A true test of links golf, precision, and patience are needed to leave Carnasty un-scathed. None of this stopped me from ordering a hearty steak pie at the turn. It was well worth the ensuing bogey.
The final four holes sum up how challenging the golf course is. There's trouble everywhere you look on 15… hole 16 is a 250 par-3 usually played into the wind, and the 17th requires a near-perfect tee shot to find an island fairway. According to the caddies, anything better than a seven on the 18th, one of the world's most famous finishing holes, deserves a drink.
Treat yourself to a pint at the hotel bar overlooking the 18th green or walk over to the clubhouse and enjoy a traditional but refined meal at The Rookery.
Public: Course Website | Opened: 1842 | Designer: James Braid
