Angus golf guide
A compact three-day Angus golf itinerary
Angus rewards golfers who treat Carnoustie as the anchor rather than the whole trip. The best courses sit close together on the same run of coast, so a strong route mixes the championship test with the older, quieter links alongside it — with very little driving between rounds.
Day 1
Carnoustie Championship and Burnside
Build the trip around the Championship links, one of the toughest tests on the Open rota, then add the underrated Burnside for an honest 36-hole day at the same venue.Day 2
Panmure and Monifieth
Two traditional neighbours a few minutes apart. Panmure carries the Ben Hogan story, Monifieth is honest links value, and together they make a relaxed second day.Day 3
Montrose 1562
Head north to one of the oldest courses in the world. Montrose is natural, characterful linksland and the ideal way to finish an Angus trip away from the Carnoustie crowds.Local judgement
Four Angus links worth building a trip around
All four sit within a short drive of each other, so a Carnoustie-based trip can take in the full spread of Angus links character without complicated logistics.
Carnoustie
Carnoustie (Championship)
The toughest venue on the Open rota, with the Barry Burn guarding one of golf’s great closing holes.Explore the course →Panmure
Panmure Golf Club
Where Ben Hogan prepared for his 1953 Open win — a lovely mix of links and heathland with glorious heather in season.Explore the course →Montrose
Montrose Golf Links (Medal)
Golf played here since 1562, on natural linksland in superb condition on the Angus coast.Explore the course →Monifieth
Monifieth Golf Links (Medal)
Honest, traditional links value a few minutes from Carnoustie, and an easy second-round pairing.Explore the course →The Angus courses in more detail
Beyond Carnoustie, Angus is a tight cluster of historic clubs and a couple of inland options for when the coast is into the wind.
Carnoustie and Burnside
Carnoustie’s Championship course is the serious one: long, exposed and unforgiving, with the Barry Burn threading through the closing holes to create one of the most demanding finishes in championship golf. The Burnside course next door is far more than a warm-up — it is a genuinely good links in its own right and makes a 36-hole day at Carnoustie easy to justify.
Panmure and Monifieth
Panmure is the connoisseur’s pick, a wonderful blend of links and heathland where Ben Hogan based himself before winning the 1953 Open at Carnoustie. Monifieth sits a few minutes away and delivers exactly the kind of honest, traditional links value that makes an Angus trip feel local rather than packaged.
Montrose 1562
Montrose is one of the oldest courses in the world, with golf recorded there since 1562. The Medal course runs over natural linksland kept in excellent condition, with a run of holes along the dunes that stands comparison with far more famous names. It is the perfect quieter counterpoint to Carnoustie.
Edzell and Downfield
When the coast is fully exposed, Angus has two strong inland options. Edzell is a pretty, well-conditioned parkland course in the Angus glens, while Downfield near Dundee is a genuinely testing tree-lined layout that has hosted professional golf. Neither is a links, but both add useful variety to a longer trip.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Angus
Stay in Carnoustie to be on the doorstep of the golf, or base yourself in Dundee for more restaurants and easier logistics across the region.
Beside the first tee at Carnoustie
Carnoustie Golf Hotel
The obvious choice if Carnoustie is the centrepiece: it overlooks the closing holes of the Championship course and keeps a 36-hole day effortless.City base with restaurants and spa