4 star – Page 11 – Scotland Golf Bible

Dundee’s other wonderful Discovery

Summary: (hi/lo season) £65/£45 (round); £75/£60 (day). Par 72. Value (out of 5) – 4

Detail;

Captain Scott’s Discovery in Dundee

Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland, can proudly boast of being a city closest to some of the greatest golf courses in the world, many being very accessible. It is less than 20 minutes drive to either St Andews or Carnoustie. The “City of Discovery”, named because of its association with Captain Scott of the Antartic, is blessed with another wonderful discovery – Downfield golf course.

Downfield’s 3rd Green

Downfield, nestled amongst Adler, Black and Templeton Woods, can safely be categorised as a Woodland course! It’s on the north-west of Dundee adjacent to industrial and large housing estates – entered via iron gates it soon becomes apparent you are in a golfing oasis. You could be in Surrey or New England once inside the fence!

14th Green towards the fairway

Surrounded by an arboretum, Downfield is a outstanding golf course, and well worth its place amongst the best courses in the UK. Tees, fairways and greens were all excellent when I played, as were the bunkers filled with some of the finest sand I’ve experienced.

Moly and Eric on the majestic 11th hole

Its very important to drive straight and keep the ball on the fairway – something I regularly failed to do for the first 13 holes. However, a good finish (2 over for the last 5) enabled me to win a close fought contest with Eric and Moira Brown, my partners for the day.

There are many highlights on the course, but the 11th is surely one of the best inland holes in Scotland:

From the 11th green towards the fairway with the water hazard in view

a drive needs to be on the right to view the green, which has a water hazard in front, not unlike something from Augusta.

Downfield also has a very impressive club house, with a fantastic view over the course. It would be well worth planning to eat there to take full benefit of the surroundings.

So, a classic layout, and a real gem in the industrial heartland of Dundee – please don’t miss this treat whilst on your tour of the hallowed links nearby.

Key Facts

Course Type: Woodland

Green Fees:

Day – Hi Season (May-Sep): £75.00, otherwise £60.00
Round – Hi season: £65, otherwise £45
Deposit, £20.00

Par 72 (4 par 5, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance(blue) 6560 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 99

Moly’s Downfield Scorecard – 99

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

Category: 4 star (Page 11 of 11)

16. Downfield. 20th May 2015.

Par 72 (4 par 5, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

9. Monifieth Medal; 5th July 2014

Par 71 (2 par 5s, 13 par 4s, 3 par 3s)

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