Forfar

Forfar Golf Club has a long and storied history, with the club dating back all the way to the 1870s – when it made history.

The course, designed by Old Tom Morris, was the first layout to be designed as an 18-hole course from its inception, instead of those being extended to 18 holes as elsewhere in Scotland and around the world.

Following James Braid’s work, the course has remained a solid woodland test, despite being only just a nudge over 6,000 yards.

Forfar Golf Club has a lengthy history, with the club dating back to 1871. Back then, the course became the first to be designed as an 18-hole layout from its inception.

Old Tom Morris was the man behind the original design of the golf course. In the 1920s, five-time Open Champion James Braid added Forfar to his extensive list of courses, providing recommendations that the club took on to make changes to the layout.

Over its long and storied history, the club has played host to the Scottish PGA Championship, Girls Home International and the Girls Scottish Amateur Championship.

Forfar is a proper inland course, and has remained relatively unchanged on its site since its original design. It is a woodland and heathland mix, though the turf has that links feel – crisp and pristine. The fairways are undulating, and it is very rare that you will have a flat lie, so take that into account throughout your round. Off the Whites, this par 70 plays just over 6,000 yards, with the Championship tees adding an extra 100 yards (only in play on three holes).

The course begins with a relatively gentle par 4. The opening hole is just 340 yards off the Whites, and features a generous fairway. There is OOB down the left, but it is behind the trees so it should not come into play. There is a bowl-shaped green to allow approaches to get close to the flag. A drive of more than 200 yards is required to reach the plateaued fairway on the 2nd. Two bunkers guard the putting surface, while a mound at the back of the green can knock your ball back on to the dance floor. 3 is a slight dog-leg left, and if your tee shot flies 220 yards, then there is a chance of finding the downslope on the fairway. Four bunkers protect the green, which is long and quite narrow.

The 4th has one of the most undulating fairways on the course. This 395-yard par 4 requires a solid drive down the right side of the fairway to give yourself the best view of the green as it moves round to the left. The approach is then played over three bunkers, which sit 50 yards short of the surface. The 5th is the first par 3 at Forfar, but at 200 yards, it is a difficult prospect. Five bunkers are in play, as you hit your approach through the funnel of trees towards the green. Four fairway bunkers are in the landing zone off the tee shot on 6 – with a drive of 240 yards needed to carry them all. Three more traps protect the putting surface. 7 is the first hole to pass the 400-yard mark. This dog-leg left has just the one bunker in the landing zone. Three more are by the green, including one hugging the left side of the surface.

A total of seven bunkers sit on the 8th. The first of those is 230 yards from the white tees, so staying short of them is the safe play. It might be a longer approach, but it’s much easier to attack the green from the crisp fairways. Water down the left side, along with OOB, and two greenside bunkers mark the trouble on the 165-yard, par 3 9th. A large, round green is the target. The back nine begins with another good birdie chance, but it is a small and elevated green at the end of it. At just 350 yards, the 11th is another scoring opportunity, providing you keep it in bounds (OOB down the left) and away from the two fairway bunkers. Two more traps sit by the green, but a solid drive will leave just a short iron or wedge.

At 444 yards, the 12th is one of the longest holes at Forfar. A long, straight drive is required, through the Scottish pine trees. There is a large mound in the fairway, but that is almost 300 yards from the tee box. The green is protected by two more bunkers. Some respite comes in the form of the par 3 13th. It is 170 yards, and the hole is framed by tall trees. The green is long and protected by three bunkers, including one in front of the surface. The only par 5 on the course (for the men) comes at the 14th. It is less than 480 yards, making it a good birdie chance. There is no real trouble off the tee apart from the trees hugging each side. Bunkers star to come into play in the final 130 yards of the hole, with no fewer than seven traps in your eyeline.

The closing stretch begins with ‘Braid’s Best’ - the signature hole at Forfar. This 410-yard par 4 moves round to the right slightly. A good drive will find the left side of the fairway, to open up the view of the green. Three bunkers are in front of the surface, so your approach must carry those. 16 is the last of the par 3s. It is 155 yards, and played over a gully. Four bunkers protect the front part of the green, with trees on the left side. A pair of medium length par 4s bring you to a close. 17 has three bunkers in the landing zone, with a further four by the green, while the closing hole has OOB down the entirety of its left side. The green is two-tiered, left and right, so make sure to find the right section of the green to avoid a three-putt in front of the clubhouse!

Where is Forfar Golf Club located?

Forfar Golf Club is situated to the east of the town of Forfar, in the Scottish region of Angus. The city of Dundee is 15 miles south of the venue, while Aberdeen is 55 miles to the northeast. The eastern coastline is around 15 miles away, around the town of Arbroath. The A90, which runs from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh up to the northern town of Fraserburgh, also runs past the western side of Forfar – a couple of miles from the golf club.

Arbroath is the home of the nearest train station, 13 miles from the venue, with bus services then running to the town of Forfar. Dundee Airport is the nearest, less than 20 miles away. However, Edinburgh Airport – the biggest and busiest airport north of the country – is just 75 miles to the south of Forfar.

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

Forfar is one of several clubs on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list to call the region of Angus home. Arbroath, Edzell, Downfield, Panmure, Monifieth (Medal), Montrose (1562) and Carnoustie – with its Championship and Burnside Courses – are all within 20 miles of Forfar.

What golf facilities does Forfar Golf Club offer?

Along with the world’s first designed 18-hole course, Forfar also has some great practice facilities. The club is home to its own driving range, which has covered, floodlit bays. There is also a short game area and a separate putting green, the latter sitting in front of the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Forfar Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Forfar Golf Club 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 Forfar, visit their website here.