PANMURE GOLF CLUB - 16 POints
Panmure will test every aspect of your game
People in the know will nod sagely when you tell them you are playing at Panmure, and say something like ‘quality course’! It’s a course steeped in tradition and history, and very much one of Scotland’s ‘old school’ places.
You may have heard that Panmure is one of the oldest clubs in Scotland, founded in 1845. While this is absolutely true, the distinction between ‘club’ and ‘course’ is key here. In Scotland sometimes several golf clubs play over the same golf course. Panmure was one such club, originally playing over the Monifieth golf course.
What happened at other courses (such as Musselburgh) happened at Monifieth - the game became so popular the clubs were restricted with access to tee times. As such, the club of Panmure looked for new ground and, in 1899, the Old Tom Morris course at Panmure was opened. Like so many Scottish golf courses it evolved over time; James Braid’s involvement in 1922 was a significant intervention in creating the course as we know it today.
There is a rich heritage at Panmure. Ben Hogan only came to Scotland once, for the 1953 Open at Carnoustie. He spent the 2 weeks before the tournament adjusting to the links game at Panmure before winning the claret jug.
Panmure has hosted Open qualifying on multiple occasions as well as co-hosting The Amateur Championship amongst other top events.
The clubhouse is a rather grand affair, reeking with history and tradition. Make sure you spend a bit of time in here before or after to drink in the atmosphere and explore the memorabilia. It’s a place steeped in the game. But what of the course?
Well, having heard so much about it, I had high expectations before coming to Panmure. I would say that it absolutely met them.
The course itself is some way from the coast so you don’t see the water at all. While there are definitely some links characteristics, don't expect to find a true links course. The heather is at times reminiscent of Surrey! The club’s original home - Monifieth - is a far more archetypal links.
It takes a few holes for Panmure to get going but, when you do get out to the meat of the course, there are some defining features. Firstly, expect a significant amount of undulation and elevation change. Secondly, there is a lot of heather around. This is not something we are used to on Scottish coastal courses but it is a really interesting (and, when in bloom, visually stunning) feature. A lot of trees have been removed in recent years but you will still see more here than you would on the average British links course.
The 6th is when the course really begins to shows its teeth. The long par 4 plays over heather to a blind fairway before winding up the hill to a small green. There are hazards all around, with ‘Hogan’s bunker’ (it was put in at his suggestion) short and right. It’s a tremendously difficult hole, but one which demands respect as well as admiration.
The run from the 6th through to the 14th is really high quality. Particularly memorable was the 12th hole. A burn cuts across the fairway, requiring precision with the drive and approach to the raised green, with steep runoffs and peril all around. There are plenty holes like this where thought and skill is rewarded over brute force.
As the course returns home things flatten out a bit and, as such, hold a little less intrigue. The 15th is a long par 3 which is the only really dull hole on the course. But the course is a test to the end and the closing stretch requires good play to finish well. The 18th is a classic Scottish finishing hole, a challenging par 4 back to the clubhouse with out of bounds to the right. A par for a win here is not an easy task.
I really respected Panmure. It is a high quality golf course and a stern test. I felt it didn’t have quite as many of the quirks or charm as some other courses, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t make sure to get a game here. It is a vital part of any Scottish golf course education!
BOOKING THE COURSE
While there is an ‘old school’ vibe at Panmure, they have kept up to date when it comes to setting green fees. Peak green fees in 2023 are £145 for overseas visitors, UK club members can play for £125. In March, April and October you can get on for £90.
It is now possible to book directly on the website and play is available 7 days a week, with different time slots allocated on different days.
TOUR TIPS
Panmure is very close to Monifieth and Carnoustie so if you are planning on sticking just to this area there is plenty to keep you entertained golf-wise. The towns themselves don’t have massive amount to offer so you may want to consider staying in Dundee or St Andrews.
CONTACT DETAILS
Panmure Golf Club
Burnside Road Barry,
Carnoustie
DD7 7RT
Web - www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk
Phone - +44 (1241) 852460
