Carnoustie Golf Links | Championship Course
Carnoustie Golf Links | Championship Course
Known simply as “The Monster,” Carnoustie Golf Links is widely regarded as the most demanding test in Scotland—and perhaps all of golf. Its Championship Course has hosted eight Open Championships, most recently in 2018, cementing its place in the game’s history. From Hogan’s Alley on the 6th to the Spectacles bunkers guarding the 14th, every hole asks for precision, patience, and courage. The finishing stretch is among the most feared in the world: the Barry Burn snakes through the 17th and 18th, shaping shots and haunting even the steadiest of players—no moment more infamous than Jean Van de Velde’s collapse in 1999.
Yet for all its intimidation, Carnoustie is also one of the game’s great joys: a course where legends like Hogan, Player, and Watson have triumphed, and where every golfer can walk in their footsteps. Beyond the Championship layout, the Burnside Course offers its own historical charm—Ben Hogan famously qualified there in 1953—while the Buddon Links adds a modern complement to the trio.
With its luxury hotel overlooking the 18th green and its warm, authentic clubhouse culture, Carnoustie delivers more than world-class golf. It delivers a story of resilience, history, and challenge—an essential chapter in any Scotland golf journey.
Course Stats | Carnoustie Golf Links
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,421 yards (Championship tees)
Course Rating: 76.1
Slope Rating: 146
Designer: Originally laid out in the 16th century; developed by Allan Robertson & Old Tom Morris; redesigned by James Braid (1926)
Type: True links
Signature Holes:
6th (Hogan’s Alley): Demanding par 5 where Ben Hogan threaded drives in his 1953 Open win.
14th (Spectacles): A long par 5 guarded by two massive bunkers.
17th (Island): Barry Burn creates an island fairway, shaping one of the toughest par 4s in golf.
18th: Iconic finishing hole where the Barry Burn winds twice before the green—infamous from Jean Van de Velde’s collapse in 1999.
Championships:
Open Championships: 8 (most recent 2018; next scheduled TBD)
Women’s Open: 2011, 2021
Senior Open: 2010, 2016
Season / Best Months to Play
Overall, Scotland is a year-round golf destination, but conditions vary dramatically:
May – September: Ideal playing season with firm fairways, long daylight, and milder weather.
June – August: Peak demand; course plays at its fastest and most challenging.
September: Fewer crowds, still excellent conditions, and softer autumn light for dramatic views.
