Top 100 links golf courses in GB&I: 3 – Carnoustie

For information about our top 100 list panellists CLICK HERE
To find how how we conducted the test CLICK HERE

3. Carnoustie
Angus, Scotland

Fact File:
Yards: 6,692
Par: 72
Designer: James Braid
Address: Carnoustie Golf Club, 20 Links Parade, Carnoustie, Tayside, Angus, DD7 7JE
Full NCG Review: CLICK HERE

What our panellists said:

CC: The best links in GB&I.

DC: The toughest finish in the wind.

MM: The only possible weakness is the 16th – a tad too long for a par 3, – but overall it’s superb.

KE: The greatest test on the Open rota. But not the prettiest place to play.

CH: Best test in the UK.

DJ: I know I’m in the minority but the loop around the 9th doesn’t do it for me.

SA: Many holes lack the character excellent land forms should provide.

Commentary:  You don’t come to Carnoustie for the views or the thrills but in every other respect it is as good as links golf gets. Wrongly perceived as being more testing than other Open venues, it is more accurate to say the yellow tees are further back than you normally see and the closing stretch, beginning on the 15th, is the ultimate test. Fairness and pure, tight lies are Carnoustie’s real calling cards.

For information about our top 100 list panellists CLICK HERE
To find how how we conducted the test CLICK HERE

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