Category: Links (Page 8 of 10)

63. Leven Links. 24th Aug 2017.

August 26, 2017 / Moly McMillan

Check the wind forecast and prepare accordingly on this historic links!

Summary: Cost £50. Par 71. Score 97. Value (out of 5) – 3.5.

Leven Links golf course lies on a beautiful piece of links land running almost exactly in the south-westerly prevailing wind direction between the towns of Leven and Lundin Links on the north bank of the Firth of Forth. Many a round here will be strongly influenced by the prevailing conditions; I was level bogies over the 9 holes played with the wind and 18 over for the nine holes played into the wind, which was only about 10 mph!

The Scoonie burn in front of the huge 18th green at Leven Links – a magnificent final hole.

The course has a key place in golfing history, tied strongly with its “Siamese Twin” neighbour, Lundin golf course, and well documented in the History of Scottish Golf web site. A 9 hole golf course was laid out in 1846 by Old Tom Morris in the ground between Leven and the course’s current eastern boundary marked by the Mile Dyke. The most significant part of the history though is that in 1868 this original course was extended by laying another 9 holes to the east of the Mile Dyke towards the town of Lundin Links; as the resulting layout had no double greens, this was arguably the first “modern” 18 hole links golf course in the world.

The 4th green at Leven Links, with the boundary of Mile Dyke and Lundin Links in the background

This historic 18 hole course lasted until 1909 when the volume of players forced a division at the Mile Dyke with Lundin G.C, thereby creating twin 18 hole courses; Lundin and Leven Links. Of the current Leven Links course, the opening 5 holes and also the incredibly challenging 13th and 18th holes are part of that original 18 holes.

Like a number of the links courses on the east coast of Scotland, Leven Links is managed separately from the 2 golf clubs using it, Leven Golfing Society and Leven Thistle Golf Club. Both clubs welcome visting golfers.

The golf course is laid out around the natural dunes and grasses of the links land and this makes for a very interesting first few holes especially for those new to this format of the game. I suspect many people will find that their approach shots end up through the green at the short par 4 2nd and 3rd holes. Many of the greens call for pitch and run shots running onto the green.

The wonderful links approach at the par 4 2nd at Leven Links

After a relatively straight forward start the short par 3 5th green can be very difficult to find played through the prevailing left to right wind. Then comes the small matter of the 6th, a par 5 of 555 yards off the yellow tees – as the pro said to me before my game “it’s normally a drive, two 3 woods and then an iron to the green!”. I was actually in a greenside bunker in 5, but finished with a 30 foot putt – I cannot remember feeling happier with a 7! The 6th also has another characteristic of Leven Links – very large greens.

The difficult par 3 15th normally played into the prevailing wind.

The stretch from the 13th to 18th, where all bar the 17th are into the wind, offers some great challenges, however the best is kept till last. The 18th is a par 4 of over 450 yards, with the dominating Scoonie burn laying in wait for the approach shots, which for almost all average players will be their 3rd shot. I met up with a local member who said it was statistically the second hardest par 4 in Scotland. This was quite believable, however the course stroke indexes are not and are the most strange I have encountered, best exemplified by the short par 5 12th, at 504 yards, played normally with the wind being SI 1, but the 18th, the “second hardest par 4 in Scotland”, being SI 9…..go figure?

The town of Leven behind the par 3 9th green.

Due to location and historical interest Leven Links is a very heavily played course and I think this was the main reason the course being a little bit worn in condition when I played, in particularly several fairways were chewed a bit and the bunkers needed a bit of care. Due to this, it was very difficult to assess a value rating at the stated green fee of £50 for a weekday round; historically the course demands a 4+, but the condition and price merited only 3.5. It is really worth playing though as its a really great layout.

The 4th tee at Leven with the Firth of Forth coast line to the right.

Leven Links has hosted many national and international competitions as well as hosting local final qualifying many time when St Andrews hosts The Open.

I thought I played pretty well for a gross 97 and 30 stableford points (off current 17 hcp).

Key Facts

Course Type: Links

Par 70 (2 par 5s, 12 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (yellow): 6309

Moly’s Gross score: 97.

Moly’s Leven Links scorecard – 97 for 30 points

62. Carnoustie Burnside. 9th Aug 2017.

August 10, 2017 / Moly McMillan

Treading on possibly the very origins of links golf

Summary: Cost £46. Par 68. Score 85. Value (out of 5) – 4.5.

The Burnside course, or more correctly the Carnoustie Burnside course, is eclipsed by its magnificent Championship course neighbour, but that’s only because the Championship course is one of the greatest courses in the world! Do not play the Championship course without also trying The Burnside, which is a great naturally laid out links course.

The wonderful links land view from the 15th tee of The Burnside

Golf on the “Barry Links” was recorded as early as 1527, nearly 50 years earlier than St Andrews, making this the area that “Links” golf was first played. The Scottish Golf History web site lays out a strong case that these first games of links golf were most likely played on the land between the Barry Burn (more of that later) and the railway line currently where holes 1 to 5 of the Burnside course are.

Therefore, arguably, “The Burner” is the most historical of all links golf courses! You are truly walking among the ghosts of golf’s distant past playing here.

The 3rd hole, the first of 5 wonderful par 3s, the highlight of Burnside – the Barry Burn awaits!

Of course, there are more recent historical stories worth telling. It’s largely forgotten that when Ben Hogan famously won his 1953 Open at Carnoustie he qualified on The Burnside course. It was therefore very apt that I played The Burnside with my brother-in-law, Colin Macqueen, since his fascination with golf started during the same summer of 1953 when he and his elder brothers were mesmerised by the large crowds watching Ben Hogan outside the window of their home, “Lismore House”, which overlooks the Burnside’s 18th green.

Hogan playing the Burnside; Colin Macqueen’s “Lismore House” bedroom highlighted.

Colin has dined in Australia, his home of 50 years now, on the true story of him falling out of the upper floor bay window nearly causing Ben to miss a crucial putt!

The Burnside was designed by James Braid and opened in 1934, not long after Braid had redesigned the Championship course in 1926. Although a relatively short golf course at just under 6000 yards, many of the holes would easily be at home on an Open venue. The 5th, 9th and 14th are par 3s of the highest calibre, each with a very different challenge.

The beautifully difficult par 3 9th green.

The 5th is surrounded by the Barry Burn (that of Jean van de Velde fame) where it’s virtually impossible to get close to a right-hand pin. The large plateau green at the 9th makes it imperative to hit the green with the tee shot. The long 14th is stoke index 1 for a good reason, and is a magnificent test.

Bunkers sprinkle the 6th fairway at The Burnside

The 17th, a par 4 of about 450 yards, needs to be played with a 3-shot strategy for all bar the very long hitters. I could also get into details on many other holes, the course is that good. To cap it all, the greens have very subtle borrows, so putting needs extra concentration. It is one of the great small James Braid courses.

The Barry Burn (of Jean van de Velde fame) at the long par 4 17th – a card wrecker

With the large green keeping staff at Carnoustie, it was no surprise that the course was in such fine condition. The tees, fairways, bunkers, rough and greens were all superb, and to have the sun shine made for a quite memorable round. I scored 85 for a net level par score off my new handicap of 17; this was enough to beat Colin 3 and 1, which at least meant he could focus on the 18th green photograph, close to the site of Hogan’s zenith and also Colin’s boyhood fall.

My playing partner, Colin Macqueen, on the 18th with his bedroom highlighted in the background, where he fell in 1953 during Hogan’s Open!

A quite magnificent days’ golf.

Key Facts

Course Type: Links

Par 68 (1 par 5, 12 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance (blue): 5740

Moly’s Gross score: 85

Moly’s Burnside scorecard – 85 for 36 points (off 17)

52. Cullen. 13th Sep 2016.

September 18, 2016 / Moly McMillan

Treat yourself at this unique Moray coastal gem

Round £21. Par 63. Value (out of 5) 4

Cullen is only about 4500 yards long, with 10 par 3s, so it’s hardly the toughest golfing challenge you’ll ever face, but it’s difficult to articulate the absolute delight which awaits any first time visitor. Ask any golfer that’s played here for their “top 10” courses, and they are almost guaranteed to have Cullen on the list. It’s unique, quirky, unconventional and, most importantly, great fun.

4th green, with views towards Cullen

Cullen, which sits mid-way between Aberdeen and Inverness on the Moray coast, also has a great pedigree; 9 holes were designed by Old Tom Morris in 1870, then extended in 1905 to 18 holes by Charlie Neaves, the professional at nearby Lossiemouth. Thirteen holes fit snugly into a cavernous bay with sandy beach, plus 5 holes play on higher cliff ground with magnificent views of the bay. In addition to this, in itself, magnificent location, there is added the spectacular Boar Crag, a huge 80 foot high rock which dominates the bay, and forms a challenging hazard as part of a run of 4 par 3s from the 11th. It truly is a remarkable location.

The signature 7th hole tee shot

Without meaning to be too controversial, Cullen does in my opinion warrant adding to the debate about what constitutes a links course. Although most of the course hugs the coast line, the cliff top land, with 5 greens, is undoubtedly arable. In addition, the turf on the 13 beach side holes, is also much softer than, say, the turf on which the Angus links courses are played. So although this is undoubtedly classified as a seaside links course, few of the shots “feel” like they are links shots. This doesn’t diminish Cullen at all, but in a “what is a links course” debate, it’s worth discussing Cullen.

Fran, my playing partner, at the 9th green at Cullen

There are many highlights of the course. Both the 2nd and 4th are blind shot par 3s, requiring good distance understanding. Then soon after comes the fantastic long par 3 7th, at over 200 yards, with a drop of around 50 feet, which is one of those holes where your ball seems to stay airborne indefinitely; it also has wonderful views of the course.

The 11th green at Cullen with the indomitable Boar Crag

Later in your round awaits Boar Crag, and in particular the par 3 12th and 13th holes, where the rock formation dominates shots. I suspect several played treat themselves to the odd “provisional” ball off these tees – especially on the 13th, where you need to hit directly over the marker post, and not be fooled into hitting to the 16th green by mistake.

The difficult 12th tee shot at Cullen

The course was in excellent condition when I played, with the greens being very well paced and true. I played to my handicap and scored 79, although I irritatingly lost a ball on the 10th with one of those shots that you just don’t think is going to be lost.

Cullen also has a nice club house where you can dine on the other local delicacy, Cullen “Skink”, which is a hearty fish & potato chowder, before going out for another 18 holes – its one of those very few courses you want to be more than 18 holes!

Some Facts

Course Type: (mainly) Links

Par 63 (1 par 5, 7 par 4s, 10 par 3s)

Distance Yards 4404 (yellow)

Moly’s Gross Score: 79

Moly’s Cullen scorecard – a 79

49. Montrose Broomfield. 2nd Sep 2016.

September 3, 2016 / Moly McMillan

This flat and featureless links is a poor Montrose companion

Round £25. Par 66. Value (out of 5) 2

Golf was first recorded on the Montrose Links in 1562 which makes it the fifth oldest links in the world; only at St Andrews has golf been played continuously longer on the same land.

First at Montrose Broomfield – a typical hole on this flat course.

Montrose is therefore heaped in golfing history, but whilst the Medal course can lay claim to historical greatness, one should not get over enthused by its smaller neighbour – the Broomfield course. It was originally a 9 hole course laid out in 1907, and then extended to 18 by the renowned architect Harry Colt, during a time when he was significantly altering the Medal course, one of his earlier golfing works.

The 9th green on The Broomfield close to the Montrose town.

The Broomfield is a short and pretty flat links course, which will vary in difficultly wholly dependent on the wind. At only 4822 yards from the common white/red tees, this is a course that is within reach of most golfers, and there are several birdie opportunities, evidenced by my score of 79, the first time for several years I have broken 80, including birdies at the par 4 1st and 15th holes. I was playing off my new handicap of 17:)

The secret of good scoring was keeping the ball on the fairway, and avoiding the relatively few, but deep, bunkers, plus avoiding the small burn that came into play on the 3rd, 4th and 13th fairways and in front of the 5th and 12th greens.

The 11th on The Broomfield, one of the few more defined holes.

When I played the greens were in good condition, but the tees were in need of more care – the fairways were typically dried out allowing significant roll, meaning approach shots had to be judged carefully.

Par 3 17th at The Broomfield in Montrose

The highlights for me were the holes played towards the town, namely the 9th and 15th, which give a real sense of the historical closeness between the people and golf. There were also a couple of holes, the 8th and 11th, which being more enclosed by surrounding shrubs, making them more memorable.

In summary, Broomfield is a good course to learn the game, or for a warm up before playing the Medal, but not worth going out of your way to play on its own.

Some Facts

Course Type: Links

Par 66 (12 par 4s, 6 par 3s)

Distance Yards 4822 (white)