Golf Courses :: Carnoustie Golf Course

The Links,
Carnoustie, Angus.
Scotland

The Carnoustie Golf Links, like St Andrews, is a public golf course. The Championship course has hosted several Open Championships, most recently in 1999. Sadly, that tournament will be best known for the 72nd hole antics of Frenchman, Jean Van de Velde, where he had a triple bogey including a visit to the Burn to force a playoff with Justin Leonard and the eventually winner, Paul Lawrie.

The course is widely thought of as the most difficult Open venue. The wind plays a big part in the way the course is played and a calm day here is uncommon. The holes are generally long and are so well bunkered that position off the tee is paramount to a good score. Carnoustie has no weak holes and requires a well-rounded game to score well. Accurate chipping to the large greens is crucial and it is best to avoid the bunkers as they are deep and well placed.

The finishing holes are as good a collection as you would find anywhere. The 16th is a punishing par three of over 250 yards to an elevated green. The 17th is a par four where it is possible to cross the burn three times during the journey to the green, and the 18th is a difficult driving hole across the burn and the approach must also carry the burn as well.

Major Events
Open Championship (6 times)
British Amateur (4 times)
Dunhill Links Championship (European Tour)