Monifieth (Medal)

The Medal Course at Monifieth Golf Links has been around for well over a century, and it is one of two courses at the club, which is based on the eastern coastline of Scotland.  

 

The 17th Century saw the first golf played in the area, but it was not until the end of the 19th Century that Monifieth Golf Club was born. 

 

Since then, the Medal Course has been the host of the British Girls Amateur Championship and the R&A Junior Open, and continues to be a test to golfers of all abilities.

 

 

Visit Monifieth's website here. 

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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. 

 

18 years earlier, the 9-hole course was extended to 18 holes. It would soon become known as the Medal Course, with the 9-hole Ashludie Course being added just before the start of the First World War. 

 

Monifieth Links has played host to several amateur events throughout its history, including the British Girls Amateur Championship, the R&A Junior Open, and each of the Scottish Boys, Girls and Amateur Championships.

 

The jewel in the crown at Monifieth is undoubtedly the Medal Course. An array of narrow fairways, lush semi-rough, penal heavy rough and lightning-fast greens make for a rugged test of any player's mettle. The opening six holes at the par 71, 6,650-yard track meander alongside the railway line as it moves its way away from the clubhouse. A fabulous middle section boasts an array of small greens that reward precise, deft approach play.  

 

The course begins with a fairly gentle opening hole. It is only 338 yards from the tips, but the railway line runs down the right side so any slice off the tee will result in another ball out of your bag. Out of bounds remains in play throughout the right side on those opening six holes – with the next three of those all being more than 400 yards from the tips.

 

The toughest hole on the course is the par 4 4th. Following on from the tricky 2nd and 3rd holes, the 4th is another level. Pushing 460 yards, it plays to a narrow fairway, and a new bunker has been added in the landing zone of your drive. Avoid that, and there’s a chance at par on the hardest hole at Monifieth. 

 

The 5th is the opening par 3, and it plays long to a narrow green. The 6th is the last hole with out of bounds on your right thanks to the train line, and ‘Lucky Daddy’ is a tough start to the midpoint of your round. The front nine finishes with three very different holes. The 7th is another lengthy par 4, while the 8th could be seen as drivable in the right conditions. It is only 284 yards from the tips, but greenside bunkers and plenty of trees and gorse might put you off. The closing hole on the front side of the Medal Course is the opening par 5. It is also the longest on the course at almost 550 yards from the tips. The fairway is split in two, and this almost makes it a guaranteed three-shotter.  

 

The back nine begins with the first real sign of water hazards. There is a hazard to the left of the landing zone, while gorse bushes sit on the opposite side. 11 is the first of two par 3s on the back nine, and features a long, narrow green with plenty of bunkers on either side. 

 

The tricky par 4 12th is slightly shorter than others on the card, but no less difficult. A ridge halfway down the fairway could put longer hitters off from hitting driver off the tee, while the 13th brings OOB in to play down its right side once more. A narrow fairway and tough green make a 5 here a good score. 

 

The closing stretch on the Medal Course at Monifieth begins with the shortest of the par 3s. The 14th is only 158 yards to the middle, but it always seems to play longer than its yardage. Three tricky par 4s follow. 15 has a split fairway, 16 is short but narrow, and 17 is lengthy. They bring you to the final hole on the Medal, a long par 5. Again, out of bounds is down the right, and the final green is long and narrow. A par on the last is a very good score.  
 

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?
The Medal Course at Monifieth is one of several venues in the southeast corner of Angus, with the likes of Panmure, Downfield and Carnoustie - with its Championship Course and Burnside Course - all within 15 miles from Monifieth.

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. 

 

 

Visit Monifieth's website here. 

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.