Links ClassicHidden Gem

Montrose Golf Links (1562 Course)

Montrose, Angus · Designed by Old Tom Morris & Willie Park revisions; golf since 1562 · Est. 1562

Montrose is one of the oldest golf courses on the planet — golf has been played over these Angus links since 1562, making it one of the oldest courses in the world, a heritage now proudly reflected in the name of its championship layout, the 1562 Course. To walk it is to play over ground where the game has been enjoyed for over four and a half centuries.

The links themselves are magnificent and entirely natural: a classic out-and-back routing through a superb range of tumbling sandhills along the Angus coast, refined over the years by Old Tom Morris and Willie Park among others. At par 71 over around 6,500 yards, the front nine in particular, weaving through the big dunes, is as good as any opening stretch in Scotland, and the whole course is a proper links test that has staged Open Final Qualifying.

Historic, natural and far less heralded than its Angus neighbour Carnoustie, Montrose is one of the great-value must-plays of the Scottish east coast.

Holes worth knowing

1The front nine — weaving through big natural sandhills along the coast, it ranks with the best opening stretches in Scotland.
2The historic ground itself — you are playing links where golf has been enjoyed since 1562, a genuine pilgrimage for any lover of the game.

Highlights

One of the oldest golf courses in the world (golf since 1562)
A magnificent natural dunes links
Refined by Old Tom Morris and Willie Park
Open Final Qualifying venue — great value

Good to know

→Golf has been played at Montrose since 1562 — only a handful of courses on earth are older, and the "1562" name celebrates it.
→The links are entirely natural, running out-and-back through superb dunes — pure, old-fashioned Scottish links golf.
→It sits just up the coast from Carnoustie and Monifieth, so it slots perfectly into an Angus links itinerary.
→The town of Montrose, its tidal basin (a wildlife haven) and the Angus glens are close for a rest day.
→For links of this age and quality, it is exceptional value — and far quieter than the marquee names.