The championship course at Carnoustie is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest links. It has played host to one Women’s British Open, two Seniors Opens and, of course, eight Open Championships – the last of which in 2018 when Francesco Molinari claimed the Claret Jug.
The closing stretch of holes are simply magnificent and can lay strong claim to be the hardest finish in championship golf. The 17th and 18th feature the meandering Barry Burn which, having been made infamous by Jean Van De Velde at the 1999 Open, needs no introduction.
While the closing holes are the jewel in the crown, the rest of the course is outstanding. With its daunting out of bounds and marvellous bunkering, the par 5 6th is perhaps the one to look out for. Known as ‘Hogan’s Alley’ after 1953 Open champion Ben Hogan who, in each round of the tournament, managed to thread his tee shot up the narrower left side between the boundary and the bunkers giving him the best line in to the green.
Carnoustie’s championship layout has become known as ‘golf’s greatest test’, and your ball striking will need to be right on point if you want to score well, and not follow a certain Frenchman into the water.
Play Carnoustie as part of our Mixed Pairs Cup St Andrews/Carnoustie.
