Monifieth (Ashludie)

Although the Ashludie Course at Monifieth Golf Links is in the shadow of its bigger sibling, it is still a great test of golf.

The secondary layout behind the Medal Course at the Angus venue, the Ashludie is 1,500 yards shorter, and just over the 5,000-yard barrier.

Drivable par 4s, short par 3s and scoring opportunities all the way round make the Ashludie a fun afternoon on the golf course.

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Golf had been played on land around Monifieth for a couple of centuries before the first proper golf course was laid out. Allan Robertson was the man to do so, with the course laid out in 1845.

The club was originally known as Panmure Golf Club. Prior to the turn of the 20th Century, Panmure would move to their current location. At this point, the Monifieth Links was born.  

The 9-hole Ashludie Course being added just before the start of the First World War. It was extended into an 18-hole layout shortly after.

The Ashludie Course provides the perfect accompaniment to the Medal Course at Monifieth Golf Links. It is some 1,500 yards shorter than the Medal, but the Ashludie’s defence comes with its small greens and undulating surfaces, making accuracy on the second shot the key. The Ashludie sits on the northern side of the property at Monifieth, and has all the properties of its bigger brother.

At just 5,100 yards, there are plenty of chances on this par 68 layout. The first comes at the opening hole, a slight dog-leg right par 4 of just 275 yards. There is a wide landing zone for those not taking on the green, with both ways of taking this hole on offering a chance for birdie. The 2nd is slightly longer, at 340 yards, but again, it is a chance. A wide fairway, with plenty of space to miss down the left side, and with just a pair of bunkers by the green. The 3rd is just 100 yards – the shortest hole on the course. It is a par 3 played to a small, circular green, with a pair of bunkers lying in front of the surface. The 4th is another short par 4, at just 275 yards. It has a narrower fairway than the opening two holes, but again, this is drivable if you’re feeling confident.

Turning back west for the 5th, it is another drivable short 4. The 6th is the second of the par 3s on the Ashludie Course, and although it is only 143 yards from the tips, it still requires a solid approach shot. The green is long and narrow, with a bunker sitting to the front right of the surface. The Stroke Index 2 comes at the 7th. It is the longest hole on the front nine at 445 yards, and plays as a slight dog-leg left. Again, there is a wide fairway to find, but the approach is the difficult shot, especially with a long iron in hand, as it often will be on the 7th.

You might be lured into thinking that 8 is a relatively simple hole at just 335 yards, and it doesn’t look much off the tee. However, the approach is the tough shot. With bunkers left and in front, and plenty of gorse on the right side, there is no room for error. The front nine closes with the third of the par 3s. At 146 yards, it will be no more than a mid-iron, to a small green that is guarded by two small bunkers. 10 and 11 are both straight and short par 4s, both of which can be birdie chances with good tee shots.

The 12th is slightly tougher, at 380 yards and with OOB in the form of a road running down its right side. Two more drivable par 4s come at 13 and 14, both of which are less than 260 yards, even from the tips. The green on 13 is in the corner of the property, with OOB on its right and at its back, while there is plenty of space around the 14th green. The 15th is a dog-leg left, with more space on its left than its right, with gorse bushes coming into play the further down the tee shot gets. A trio of sand traps guarded the green.

The run for home on the Ashludie begins at the par 3 16th. It is the last of the short holes, and once more, there are three bunkers protecting the green. The penultimate hole is also the longest on the course at almost 450 yards. There is no real trouble off the tee, with space on either side of the fairway for any drives that are slightly mishit. No sand, but plenty of rough around the green, with big run-offs towards the thicker stuff as well. The closing hole is another medium-length par 4, one of 330 yards. Again, there is no trouble off the tee, but a bunker sitting front right of the green has collected many a golf ball over the years.

Where is Monifieth Golf Links located?

Monifieth Golf Links is just a few miles east of Dundee on the eastern coastline of Scotland. The course overlooks Angus Beach, with views across the River Tay to Kinshaldy Beach. Carnoustie is just down the road, while the Scottish capital of Edinburgh is around 70 miles to the south of Monifieth.

The course is just a few hundred yards from Monifieth Station, with trains running to Glasgow Queen Street, Aberdeen and Dundee on a regular basis. Dundee Airport is the nearest to Monifieth Links, but it is only the fourth biggest in Scotland. The largest, and busiest, is Edinburgh Airport, which is around two hours from the course.

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

Along with the Ashludie Course, Monifieth Golf Links is also home to the Medal Course, which is firmly on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Panmure is just down the road, along with the Championship Course and Burnside Course at Carnoustie. Downfield, Forfar and Arbroath are also within just a short drive.

What golf facilities does Monifieth Golf Links offer?

Along with both the Medal Course and the Ashludie Course, Monifieth is home to a large practice area which is just a couple of minutes by road away from the clubhouse. The club also has a short game area, as well as hitting nets, by the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Monifieth Golf Links?

The price of a green fee at Monifieth 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 Monifieth, visit their website here.