MONTROSE GOLF LINKS - 15 POints
Montrose Golf Links is precariously positioned on the edge of the North Sea
The drive from Edinburgh and Fife to the north-east of Scotland isn’t particularly interesting. The A92 trundles up, close to the coast, and few golfers heading up to the likes of Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen would turn off to Montrose. Those who do are greeted by a modest clubhouse, a net for the practice area and one of the most authentic Scottish links courses around.
Golf has been played over this land for quite some time. In fact, in 2019, the main Medal course was renamed ‘the 1562 course’ in honour of the date they can trace the game back to on this ground. You can read the full story of that here - basically there is a record of a young lad with a golf club in his hand then. It’s a lovely story but personally I’m not sure it’s enough to warrant renaming an entire golf course! The first club was formed here in 1810 - and there are still three clubs playing over the links administered by the Golf Trust.
Willie Park Junior is the main architect behind the course we know today but at Montrose Mother Nature should be equally acknowledged. Montrose is suffering more than pretty much any course in Scotland from coastal erosion. The image of the second hole above shows the extent of the problem. Every year a few more feet of this fairway wash into the sea and, at present, there is no solution - the cost is so prohibitive.
The early holes provide a really strong start to the course. After the majestic second along the shore you have the wonderful par 3 third. It’s only a short iron but, with a deep chasm before the green, you need to pay special attention to the wind to make sure you get the ball all the way to the putting surface.
I really enjoyed the next few holes along the coast. There were a couple of short par 4s and a short par 5 but the rumpled fairways and well-placed bunkers mean that you still have to have your wits about you to score well. The ground contours are definitely one of the most interesting things about Montrose - no machines have been used to move the land here but the shape is really fascinating and means the golf course will play differently every time you play it depending on the winds and the bounces.
The ninth gives you a taste of what is to come on the back 9. Gorse is a factor on these holes a lot more than on the first half. The ninth asks you questions from the drive. It’s stroke index one and at 420 yards off the yellows, with gorse to the left and OB to the right, it will take a long, precise shot to get up in two.
The 9th hole introduces plenty of gorse to think about!
The run of holes from the 10th is a little less attractive than the front nine as is so often the case on these Scottish links courses when you move inland. However, you will still have a good test and the finish is particularly strong. The long par 3 16th brings you back towards the coast and the 17th, with its raised green, is another good hole. The 18th is another classic Scottish hole - a medium length par 4 with the town behind the green.
I played the course at the very beginning of September and, while the greens were running well, the fairways were very patchy with lots of bare, earthy areas. I felt the £140 green fee was steep given the poor conditioning but alas Scottish golf costs inflation continues to run unabated. Hopefully they will be able to improve the condition of the course as these fairways deserve to be presented in a better condition that this.
Montrose may not be one of the great Scottish links but it is an interesting place to visit, and I would urge you to do so before the coastal erosion removes some of those great opening holes.
BOOKING THE COURSE
You can book tee times at Montrose directly via their website. Play is available most days depending on members’ competitions. The green fees vary considerably by season - expect to pay over £140 in the summer but winter rounds go for under £40.
TOUR TIPS
It’s unlikely you will be staying in Montrose but if you are travelling from Australia you may want to stop in at Roos Leap next door for some authentic tucker! Montrose isn’t a massive detour off the main road from Dundee to Aberdeen, which lies an hour to the north. And the trip from Carnoustie/Panmure/Monifieth is only 40 minutes too so a day trip from either area is perfectly feasible.
CONTACT DETAILS
Montrose Golf Links,
Traill Dr,
Montrose
DD10 8SW
Web - www.montrosegolflinks.com
Phone - +44 (0)1674 672634
Email - admin@montrosegolflinks.com
