
Carnoustie Golf Links is a world-leading golf destination in Angus, Scotland. It is home to three top-rated courses: the Championship Course, the Burnside Course, and the Buddon Course. Carnoustie is widely considered one of the toughest golf courses in the world, earning the nickname Car-nasty due to its difficulty under adverse weather conditions. The town of Carnoustie is about a 30-minute drive from Dundee and is known for being centred around golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland |
| Year opened | 1842, extended to 18 holes in 1867 |
| Number of courses | 4 |
| Course names | The Championship Course, The Burnside Course, The Buddon Course, The Nestie |
| Course designers | Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid, Peter Alliss, Dave Thomas |
| Course rankings | Ranked #39 in the world (Golf Magazine), #24 in the world (Golf Digest), Ranked #1 in Scotland in 2016 |
| Course reputation | One of the toughest golf courses in the world, often referred to as "Car-nasty" due to its difficulty |
| Notable events | Hosted The Open Championship 8 times, 2 Women's Opens, 2 Senior Opens, The Dunhill Links Championship |
| Green fees | Range from £140 to £300 depending on the season |
| Nearby towns | Dundee (30 minutes away), Aberdeen (1.5 hours north), St Andrews (45 minutes south) |
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What You'll Learn

Carnoustie Golf Links is in Angus, Scotland
Carnoustie has been a golfing destination since the 16th century and is home to three renowned courses: the Championship Course, the Burnside Course, and the Buddon Course. The Championship Course, designed by Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris, is particularly historic, having hosted eight Open Championships, two Women's Opens, and two Seniors Opens. It was voted The Best Golf Course in the World in 2019 and has been recognised for its excellent clubhouse and catering.
The Burnside Course, designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas, offers a unique golfing experience with character and charm. It was on this course that Ben Hogan qualified for the 1953 Open Championship, which he went on to win. The Buddon Course, also designed by Alliss and Thomas, resides on land that was formerly part of the ladies' course and Ministry of Defence land.
Located near the town of Carnoustie, the golf links is approximately 30 minutes from Dundee and 45 minutes from St Andrews, making it a feasible day trip from either location. The area surrounding the golf links is known for its golf-centric atmosphere, with golf shops and hotels catering to visitors. Carnoustie Golf Links is a must-visit destination for golfers seeking to test their skills on one of the world's most challenging courses.
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Dundee is the nearest town, 30 minutes away
Carnoustie Golf Links is an iconic, world-leading golf destination in Scotland. It is renowned for being one of the toughest golf courses in the world. The Championship Course was voted The Best Golf Course in the World in 2019 and Best Scottish Golf Course over £100 in 2018. Carnoustie Golf Links was also voted Scotland’s Best Golf Experience in 2019.
Golf has been played at the Links since the 16th century. The course was extended to 18 holes in 1867 by Old Tom Morris. Carnoustie has hosted the Open Championship eight times, most recently in 2018, as well as the Senior Open Championship and the Women's British Open.
Dundee is the nearest town of note, only 30 minutes away. The coastal railway from Dundee to Arbroath, which opened in 1838, brought an influx of golfers from far and wide, leading to a complete restructuring of the course. Carnoustie is also conveniently located near Aberdeen, which is 1 1/2 hours north, and St Andrews, which is 45 minutes south.
The town of Carnoustie itself doesn't have a huge amount to offer besides golf. There are multiple public courses, and the town is full of golf shops. The Carnoustie Golf Hotel overlooks the 18th green and is a great option for accommodation.
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Carnoustie has four courses
Carnoustie Golf Links is located in Angus, Scotland, and it is one of the most renowned golf destinations in the world. What many may not know is that Carnoustie is not just a single course, but a complex that boasts four distinct golf courses, each with its own unique features and challenges.
The Championship Course is undoubtedly the most famous of the four. It has hosted numerous major championships, including The Open Championship on eight occasions, with the first being in 1931 and the most recent in 2018. This course is renowned for its difficulty, with tight fairways, deep rough, and strategically placed bunkers. The 6th hole, named "Hogan's Alley" after the legendary golfer Ben Hogan, is particularly famous for its challenging design.
The Burnside Course is the second course at Carnoustie and is a shorter layout, measuring just over 6,000 yards from the back tees. Don't be fooled by its size, though, as it provides a serious test of golf, especially when the wind blows. The course gets its name from the burn that meanders through the course and comes into play on several holes. The 12th hole, a short par 4, is considered one of the best holes on the course, requiring a precise tee shot to a narrow fairway.
The third course is known as the Buddon Links. This 18-hole course is the newest addition to Carnoustie, having opened in 2009, and offers a different challenge with its links and heathland characteristics. The course provides stunning views over the North Sea and is a slightly less demanding proposition than the Championship and Burnside courses, making it a popular choice for golfers of all abilities.
Finally, Carnoustie also boasts a 9-hole course called the Nestie. This shorter layout is ideal for beginners and those looking to improve their short game. Despite its shorter length, the course still offers a challenge with its small greens and well-placed bunkers, and it is a great option for those looking to hone their skills or enjoy a quicker round of golf.
Together, these four courses offer a comprehensive golfing experience, catering to players of all skill levels and providing a variety of challenges that showcase the very best of links golf on the Angus coast.
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It's one of the world's toughest golf courses
Carnoustie Golf Links is an iconic golf destination in Scotland, widely considered one of the world's toughest golf courses. It has been played on since the 16th century, with the first record of a 10-hole course on this land dating back to 1527. The course was extended to 18 holes in 1857 by Old Tom Morris, and it has barely changed since.
The course has hosted the Open Championship several times, including in 1999, 2007, and 2018. The 1999 Open is particularly memorable due to the collapse of Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who made a triple bogey on the final hole. The course's difficulty was the other main reason why this championship was so memorable. It presented golfers with narrow fairways, thick rough, deep bunkers, and a constant wind from the North Sea.
The Championship Course at Carnoustie was voted The Best Golf Course in the World in 2019 and Best Scottish Golf Course over £100 in 2018. It is one of the few courses in the UK to have hosted eight Open Championships, two Women's Opens, and two Seniors Opens. The course is long, measuring over 7,400 yards when stretched out, and has only one par 5. The greens are faster than those of many other courses, and the bunkers are incredibly well-placed and cleverly designed. The final five holes are considered the most demanding of any course in the world.
The 6th hole, known as Hogan's Alley, is a highlight of the course. It is a 500-yard-plus par 5 with the fairways split between a tight line on the left and a more open route on the right. After Hogan's Alley, the course becomes even more challenging, with the 7th, 9th, and 10th holes being particularly long and tough. The Barry Burn, which comes into play on numerous occasions, makes the finishing run of holes even more difficult. The 16th hole, called "Barry Burn", is considered one of the hardest par threes in golf.
While Carnoustie may not be the most scenic course, it is a true test of a golfer's skill and ability. It is a challenging course that has earned its reputation as one of the world's toughest.
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It's hosted the Open Championship eight times
Carnoustie Golf Links is located in Angus, Scotland, UK. It is one of the most renowned golf courses in the world and has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. The course has hosted The Open Championship, one of golf's most prestigious tournaments, an impressive eight times.
Indeed, Carnoustie has a long association with this major championship, hosting it first in 1931, and then again in 1937, 1953, 1968, 1975, 1999, 2007, and most recently in 2018. This makes Carnoustie one of the most frequent hosts of the tournament in the modern era. The course has earned a reputation as a challenging and demanding test of golf, often providing a stern examination of the world's best players.
Each time The Open has visited Carnoustie, it has produced memorable moments and dramatic finishes. The 1999 edition, won by Scottish golfer Paul Lawrie, is particularly notable for its exciting conclusion, with Jean van de Velde of France infamously blowing a three-shot lead on the final hole, resulting in a playoff that Lawrie won. The 2007 Open also provided a thrilling finish, with Irish golfer Pádraig Harrington emerging victorious after a four-hole playoff against Sergio García.
The course has undergone several changes over the years, with alterations made to the layout and bunkering strategy, ensuring that it remains a challenging test for modern players while preserving its traditional links character. Carnoustie's reputation as a world-class venue is assured, and its frequent hosting of The Open Championship cements its place in golf's rich history.
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Frequently asked questions
Carnoustie Golf Links is in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland.
Carnoustie Golf Links has four courses: the Championship Course, the Burnside Course, the Buddon Links Course, and a free-to-play short, five-hole course called The Nestie.
Carnoustie Golf Links has hosted The Open Championship eight times, the Senior Open Championship twice, and the Women's British Open twice. It is also one of the venues for the annual Dunhill Links Championship.
Carnoustie Golf Links is known for its challenging design, including well-placed bunkers and a demanding final five holes. It has been voted the World's Best Golf Course and Scotland's Best Golf Experience. The Championship Course was also voted The Best Golf Course in the World in 2019.

























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