Classic and historic links experience
Summary: Cost £59 (midweek). Par 71. Score 87. Value (out of 5) – 4.
Grange, Broughty and Monifieth golf clubs, adjacent to the 18th green on Monifieth Medal
Detail. Monifieth Links is where I play as a member of Monifieth GC, alongside the members of Grange, Broughty and Panmure Ladies Golf Clubs! Confused? – then welcome to a historic Scottish Golf Links! The links are organised separately from the golf clubs, so you need to book tee times direct with the links, and contact the clubs if you want to check on food/drink/changing.
Golf at Monifieth was first referenced in local church records in 1639, with an 18 hole layout dating from 1880. Click here for a great resource on golfing history at Monifieth. Like all links courses, Monifieth can be either a tiger or a kitten, so it’s best if you can check the weather first – if wind and rain are forecast, stock up on golf balls.
Aberdeen to London train passing the 2nd as seen from the 17th
Monifieth is the first course east of Dundee on the north bank of the Tay estuary, and starts the coastal golfing heaven (or hell!) which has Carnoustie as its masterpiece. The Angus coast vies with the Fife, North Berwick, Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ayrshire coasts as the best collective place for golf in the world, I’ll leave you to make up your mind.
The course has an out and back feel, with the first 6 holes hugging the main Aberdeen-London railway line, before you turn to face the tough 7th, normally into the westerly prevailing wind.
View towards St Andrews Basin from the 12th Green
It’s an unusual links, in that it has limited sea views, but you can look across to the St Andrews basin, from some holes.
Walk from the tee to the fairway at the 7th, a challenge into the normal prevailing wind
There are several great holes, in particular the 4th, 7th, 13th and 17th holes, all par 4s. The greens are normally excellent, and are well bunkered.
The course is penal if you veer off the fairway, so its best to concede on length where possible. Although short by todays standards, the Medal is still used for final qualifying when Carnoustie plays host to the Open Championship.
Monifieth is a really down to earth place to play golf, which is highly recommended. I played with my son Andy (handicap 17), and I won with one of my best rounds on a day the wind decided to play kitten.
Key Facts
Course Type: Links
Green Fees:
April – October: £59 weekdays, £65 weekends
Nov – Mar: £25 weekdays, £35 weekends
Par 71 (2 par 5s, 13 par 4s, 3 par 3s)
Distance(yellow): 6420 yards
Moly’s Gross score: 87
Moly’s Monifieth Medal Scorecard – Gross 81
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