About the course
Montrose Golf Links stretches along the Angus coast just north of the town of Montrose, between the dunes and the North Sea. The 1562 Course plays over gently rolling seaside ground with deep bunkers, springy, fast-draining turf and plenty of gorse, and several holes run alongside the beach. The links also has a second, shorter eighteen, the Broomfield.
The course takes its name from the earliest written reference to golf being played at Montrose, in 1562, which makes it one of the oldest golfing grounds in the world, and the links celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2012. The layout has evolved considerably since those early days and took much of its present shape in the early twentieth century. It has been used for Open qualifying and hosted the British Boys Championship in 1991.
The holes that run beside the beach are the most exposed part of the round, with the sea close at hand and little shelter from the dunes. Deep bunkers make it important to keep the ball on the short grass, and gorse lines several holes as the main penalty for a wayward drive.
From the back tees the course measures around 6,600 yards, a solid length for a traditional links. The turf drains quickly and stays firm for much of the year, so on most days the ball can be run along the ground into the greens as well as flown to them.
Why we recommend it
Montrose is one of the oldest places in the world where golf has been played, and the 1562 Course still runs over natural, rolling links ground by the sea. The wind off the North Sea is part of the challenge, and the undulating fairways and quick greens keep good players honest. Long overshadowed by Carnoustie to the south, it is a good-value round and a natural stop when travelling between St Andrews and Aberdeen.
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Video
| Ranking Scotland | 53 |
| Architect | Old Tom Morris |
| Year of foundation | 1562 |
| Par Course | 72 |
| Number of holes | 18 |