Carnoustie Golf Links is one of the old traditional links courses in Scotland that has been a venue for The Open since 1931. I was looking forward to visiting the course and we decided to stay in the hotel on the course.
the course
There is no driving range on the course, so I hit a few balls into the driving nets and spend most the time putting before tee off. I played with another 3 single players where one of them had played the course before. That was helpful as the it was very windy.
I hit a really good 3rd shot that was just a little bit short and rolled back into the bunker.
The wind was really strong on this hole and made it tough to get the ball on the green. I started my shot just right of the pin and ended up to the right of the green. It left me with a really difficult pitch shot downhill and I ended up with double bogey.
A long par 4 with well placed bunkers. I missed my drive right, but had a decent lie and 8 iron to the green. I got a flyer and went over the green. Almost holed out for birdie, but was happy with a par.
the back nine at carnoustie golf links
A short par 3. It was straight downwind which made it difficult to stop the ball. I hit a wedge which just carried onto the green, but ended up well past the pin.
A really long par 3, but playing downwind it was only a 7 iron.
17 and 18 are very well known holes and the 17th is a long tricky par 4 with water in play. I hit a 3 wood left into the rough and had to lay up short of the green. Made bogey which I was happy with considering the conditions.
I hit a decent drive but went over the green with my second shot and there is a small runoff area behind the green. Made bogey to finish with.
my experience
I shot 83 and actually felt I was playing better. The condition where extremely difficult with very strong winds that made all shots more difficult. It effected the putting quite a bit more challenging than normal. It is probably some of the toughest conditions I have ever played in and a great challenge experiencing the true links in typical Scottish weather conditions.
The course was in good shape. It is obviously quite open and well bunkered. Most fairway bunkers are hazards and well cost a shot or put a lot pressure on your short game skills. It is not the most memorable course I have played and one I wouldn’t return to play it again as there are so many other choices in the area that I think is a better experience.
my score
