Arbroath

Arbroath Golf Links is one of several stunning links courses in the Scottish region of Angus, and it looks out over the North Sea.

With ten Open Championships between the designers of the course – Morris, Fernie and Braid – you already know that the layout will be one of high quality.

It is not the longest course, at just 6,200 yards from the tips, but three burns are in play, along with a railway line, to add to the difficulty. However, it is a very enjoyable day out!

Visit Arbroath’s website here.

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The history of Arbroath Golf Links dates back well into the 19th Century, and over the course of its long and storied history, three greats have had a hand in the design.

Old Tom Morris – a four-time winner of the Open Championship – designed the original 18-hole layout in 1878. At that time, the course played with nine holes on either side of the railway line.

Willie Fernie, the 1883 Open Champion, was drafted in shortly after the turn of the century to redesign the course after new land had been acquired. His layout remains, with all 18 holes now west of the railway line.

The great James Braid – a five-time winner of the Claret Jug – was then brought in to make improvements and changes to the course, as part of his extensive portfolio.

On their website, Arbroath describe the course as a ‘deceiving links course’. That is thanks to the undulating green complexes on what looks like a flat course to begin with. The railway line comes into play at several points, including along the closing stretch. Off the back tees, Arbroath Golf Links is exactly 6,200 yards in length. Playing as a par 70, with four very different par 3s, it is a good test of golf.

There is some good variety in the opening section of the course. The opener is a 365-yard par 4, with the fairway moving slightly round to the left. Three pot bunkers guard the front of the green, with thick rough collecting anything that runs long of the green. The 2nd is the first of just two par 5s at Arbroath. At 480 yards, some will fancy their chances. However, with OOB down the entirety of the right side, along with a burn that dissects the fairway at the 290-yard mark, there is a lot to watch out for. The hole occupies a double green with the 15th so make sure you know which flag to aim for. OOB also comes into play on the 3rd, with the corner of the neighbouring fields jutting out into the fairway. Stay short of that and you will have a clear approach to a green protected by two pot bunkers.

The first of the quartet of short holes comes at the 4th. It is 165 yards from the back tees, and your tee shot is played over the Penstone Burn to find the green. It also winds its way around the right side of the green, to add to the danger. The 5th is the Stroke Index 1 at Arbroath. Again, OOB hugs the right side of the fairway, but there is plenty of space to the left. Three bunkers guard the left side at intervals, while the Dowrie Burn cuts across the fairway, some 60 yards from the green. You move slightly away from the OOB of the fields on 6, but that is replaced with thick rough and bracken. Another generous fairway awaits your tee shot, while the green is also quite large. Two bunkers at the front, and trees behind, frame the putting surface. The last hole of the outward run is the par 3 7th. It is only 160 yards, and the green sits in a slight hollow, with banking on either side. Three pot bunkers protect the front section of the surface.

The 8th sees the first appearance of the railway line as a true factor. It is 370 yards, and the railway presents out of bounds down the right. Two bunkers sit in the centre of the fairway, with three more by the green. Work out your distance to those first two to decide if you want to stay short of them. The front nine closes with another medium-length par 4, and the return of the Dowrie Burn. The fairway is wide and inviting for a big hit, while the burn runs across the fairway 20 yards shy of the green. Carry that, and in the summer, you’re laughing! The 10th is one of the longer par 4s at Arbroath Golf Links, measuring in at almost 410 yards from the back tees. The Penstone Burn, a regular pain throughout a round, cuts across this fairway on a diagonal angle, around 50 yards from the green. If playing into a strong breeze, some might opt to play this as a three-shotter to avoid the burn.

11 is a good birdie chance at just 325 yards. Avoid the bunkers on either side of the fairway to give yourself a clean look at this green. Four more pot bunkers guard what is a relatively small putting surface. The tee shot on the 330-yard par 4 12th is played over a water, but it should not come into play. The main danger is by the green, with four large traps surrounding the target. The railway line is back on 13, and is OOB down the right once more. This hole is 412 yards, and a tough par 4. However, there is a generous fairway, and space out to the left. The Dowrie Burn makes its last appearance, but it is far enough back from the green that it shouldn’t really come into play.

The 14th is the longest and toughest of the par 3s, coming in at almost 240 yards from the tips. Usually played into the prevailing wind, this is a tough par to achieve. Three bunkers protect what is a long and narrow putting surface, so take a four and walk off happy! 15 is easier, a 355-yard par 4, and with a marker post to the left of the tree that sits in front of the tee box. Hit your drive over that to find what is a larger fairway than you might first have thought. You’re hitting back to the double green with the 2nd, so you should know which flag to aim for!

The 16th is the last of the short holes. It is 182 yards, and played to a green surrounded by sand. There are five large pot bunkers to catch your eye, as you play back towards the railway line. 17 is the longest hole on the course at Arbroath Golf Links, playing just shy of 500 yards. This par 5 has a generous fairway, but make sure to avoid the bunker on the right side. The second is played over the final appearance of water, and there is the chance to go for it with your second if you fire off a good drive. The final hole can wreck your card. It is a 405-yard par 4, which requires a decent carry to find the fairway. A solitary bunker sits on the left side of the short stuff, while there are five more bunkers down by the green. It is one of the longest putting surfaces on the course, so make sure you work out your distances before firing your approach at the target.

Where is Arbroath Golf Links located?

Arbroath Golf Links sits in the southeastern corner of the Scottish region of Angus, a couple of miles from the centre of the town of Arbroath. The city of Dundee is only 15 miles to the west along the A92. The club is located just off a roundabout on the A92, which runs from Dunfermline up to Aberdeen. The course looks out over the North Sea.

Dundee Airport is less than 20 miles from Arbroath Golf Links, but it is one of the smaller airports in the country. For international visitors, both Aberdeen and Edinburgh Airports are within 75 miles of the venue. Arbroath Station is only a couple of miles from the links, with the station sitting on the main east coast train line. Services run to Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh, all on a regular basis throughout the day.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

Arbroath Golf Links is in a pocket of great golfing venues in the corner of Angus. The likes of the 1562 Course at Montrose, Forfar, Panmure, Downfield, Monifieth’s Medal Course, and both the Championship Course and Burnside Course at Carnoustie are all within a 20-mile drive – and all are on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list.

What golf facilities does Arbroath Golf Links offer?

Along with the glorious links course, Arbroath Golf Links is also home to a full-length driving range, which sits between the closing hole and the train line. The club also has a short game area and a putting green for those final touches before you take to the course.

What are the green fees at Arbroath Golf Links?

The price of a green fee at Arbroath Golf Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Arbroath, visit their website here.