Carnoustie (Championship)
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Course Type
Semi-Private -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
40 -
Year
1842 -
Architects
A. Robertson, 1842 / Old Tom Morris, 1872 / James Braid, 1926 -
Par
70 -
Yardage
6,945
Course Overview
This ancient links dates to 1842 and is defined by heather, gorse, jungle-like fescue rough, steep-faced revetted bunkers and the sinuous Barry Burn — all of which create havoc in the wind. The meanest of the Open rota courses has produced winners such as Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tom Watson. A poor course set-up for the 1999 Open furthered its reputation as “Carnastie.” That’s a shame. Played from the appropriate set of tees, you will be pleasantly surprised — and thoroughly impressed — by the course’s variety and its excellent, diverse set of greens, including the clever shared double green at 4 and 14. (Photo: Getty Images)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
No. 18, par 4, 444 yards. This notorious hole sunk Jean Van de Velde’s Open dreams in 1999. The goal on this one? Avoid getting burned by the burn, which is in play on the drive to the right and left of the hole and also short of the green. -
Best non-golf amenity
Enjoy a post-round libation and elevated Scottish cuisine at The Rookery, which offers stunning views of the course and sea. -
Insider tip
Carnoustie has a reputation as one of the best-bunkered courses in the world, many of which are pot-style, with steep lips. With that in mind, avoiding them entirely will be difficult, so if you find yourself in one, take your medicine and bail out rather than compounding the error with multiple fruitless sandy swings.